The Detroit Lions are already planning offseason roster management, and they have one player in mind they want to keep happy.
In just his third season in the NFL, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has proven to be one of the most dangerous weapons in the entire league –he’s third in the NFL this season with 1,062 rushing yards, and second with 13 touchdowns – and reports coming out of Detroit indicate that the Lions are looking to do everything they can this offseason to take care of their star player.
“Going to be a big offseason for Jahmyr Gibbs,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported following the Lions’ 44-30 win over Dallas on Thursday. “For the first time, he’s eligible for a contract extension…the Lions do an excellent job of taking care of their own, being proactive to do it. My understanding is that [Gibbs] is priority No.1, could be highly paid this offseason.”
Over the course of his short career, Gibbs is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has accumulated 1,000-or-more all-purpose scrimmage yards and 10-or-more total touchdowns in three consecutive seasons and has accumulated over 4,700 all-purpose scrimmage yards and 47 total offensive touchdowns in just 45 career games. During Detroit’s crucial victory over Dallas this week, he racked up 120 all-purpose scrimmage yards and three rushing touchdowns for the Lions.
When it comes time this offseason for a contract extension, expect to see Gibbs land quite a hefty deal, as the Lions look to have one of the biggest stars at running back since the days of Barry Sanders. Unless Gibbs decided he won’t stay in Detroit any longer, he’ll likely be locked up by the Lions for a long time.