One year ago (almost to the day), we noted the Lions were already looking ahead to an extension for running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who was entering his third professional season. After a standout 2025 campaign, the time for Gibbs’ second contract could be approaching.
Detroit recently extended linebacker Jack Campbell, who was selected six picks after Gibbs in the first round of the 2023 draft. Given that the NFL continues to group off-ball LBs and pass-rushing LBs together for valuation purposes, the Lions had no choice but to decline Campbell’s fifth-year option, which would have made 2026 a platform year if not for the new deal.
In terms of club control, there is not as much urgency for the Lions to extend Gibbs. Because they did exercise the RB’s fifth-year option, he is locked in through the 2027 slate, and Detroit theoretically could utilize some sort of tag after that. However, with Campbell’s future now addressed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter thinks Gibbs is next in line. In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show (video link), Schefter expressed his belief that an agreement will be coming this summer.
Even though Falcons RB Bijan Robinson is expected to land a more lucrative contract than Gibbs, the Lions may want to beat Atlanta to the punch and finalize a Gibbs extension before Robinson adds another data point to the top of the RB market. Irrespective of Robinson’s status, Detroit’s three–time Pro Bowler is in line to score a deal paying him in excess of $15MM per year, which would place him no lower than third in the NFL’s running back hierarchy. At present, Saquon Barkley ($20.6MM/year), Christian McCaffrey ($19MM), and Derrick Henry ($15MM) lead the way in terms of average annual value.
And Gibbs has certainly earned a big payday. The dual-threat has found the end zone a whopping 49 times (39 rushing, 10 receiving) in as many games. A two-time 1,200-yard rusher, Gibbs has averaged a robust 5.3 YPC on 675 career attempts. The 24-year-old is also fresh off a 77-catch season, easily surpassing the respectable 52 he totaled in each of his first two years.
In addition to Gibbs and Campbell, the 2023 draft also produced tight end Sam LaPorta and defensive back Brian Branch. In January, GM Brad Holmes identified all four members of that high-impact quartet as priorities. Holmes has checked Campbell’s extension off his to-do list, and it sounds as if Gibbs’ deal could be done in fairly short order. Similarly, Schefter says Detroit still wants to work out a long-term pact with LaPorta.
Because LaPorta and Branch were not first-round picks, they were not eligible for a fifth-year option. As such, they will be out of contract at the end of the ‘26 season unless a new pact is worked out before then.
While it may not mean anything, Schefter does not reference Branch in his report. Holmes’ January remarks notwithstanding, we heard the versatile defender probably would not receive an extension this offseason, so he may be more likely than his draftmates to hit free agency in 2027.
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