Jahmyr Gibbs has already established himself as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the NFL, and the Detroit Lions are quickly approaching the point where a long-term financial decision will have to be made.
Before any extension talks can be finalized, Detroit must first address Gibbs’ fifth-year option. That deadline arrives on May 1, and there is virtually no doubt the Lions will exercise it. Doing so would keep Gibbs under contract through the 2027 season at a fully guaranteed salary.
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Once that box is checked, the more significant conversation begins: locking up one of the league’s most explosive dual-threat running backs for the long haul.
Jahmyr Gibbs contract extension
Why an Extension Is Inevitable
Detroit’s recent history under Brad Holmes shows a clear pattern. When the front office identifies a core player drafted and developed in-house, they move early:
Gibbs fits that mold perfectly. Since entering the league, he has been a centerpiece of the offense and one of the most efficient weapons at the position.
Through three NFL seasons, Gibbs has produced:
Career Rushing (2023-2025)
2025 Season
77 receptions, 616 receiving yards
His ability to impact the game as both a runner and receiver places him firmly in the upper tier of modern NFL backs, the same category occupied by players such as Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, and Saquon Barkley.
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Market Context
Currently, these are the top running back contracts in the league (Via OverTheCap)
Player
Team
Age
Total
Value
Avg./Year
Total
Guaranteed
Fully
Guaranteed
Free
Agency
29
$41,200,000
$20,600,000
$36,000,000
$36,000,000
2029 Void
30
$38,000,000
$19,000,000
$24,000,000
$24,000,000
2028 Void
32
$30,000,000
$15,000,000
$25,000,000
$25,000,000
2028 Void
27
$42,000,000
$14,000,000
$26,500,000
$19,347,556
2027 UFA
31
$24,500,000
$12,250,000
$22,233,333
$19,233,333
2027 Void
28
$48,000,000
$12,000,000
$12,500,000
$12,500,000
2028 UFA
27
$46,000,000
$11,500,000
$30,000,000
$15,280,000
2030 Void
26
$33,000,000
$11,000,000
$23,000,000
$15,145,000
2029 UFA
32
$20,000,000
$10,000,000
$13,500,000
$11,500,000
2027 UFA
30
$19,750,000
$9,875,000
$13,000,000
$13,000,000
2027 UFA
31
$19,000,000
$9,500,000
$10,390,000
$8,250,000
2027 UFA
29
$18,250,000
$9,125,000
$10,490,000
$5,250,000
2028 Void
Gibbs clearly belongs near the top of that list. He is not a volume-only runner; he is an efficiency monster, a mismatch weapon, and a focal point of the passing game. His age (entering his mid-20s during a potential extension) also strengthens his leverage.
Projected Contract Structure
A realistic and team-friendly projection:
4 years, $80 million
$20 million per year average
$45–50 million guaranteed
Cap structure that aligns with Detroit’s championship window
Extension beginning after the 2027 option season
This structure would:
Keep Gibbs in Detroit through his prime
Maintain roster continuity during the Super Bowl window
Mirror the financial commitment given to elite offensive cornerstones
Avoid a franchise-tag standoff in 2028
Timing of the Deal
Detroit could finalize an extension:
As early as March following the fifth-year option decision
Or early in the regular season
Brad Holmes has shown a preference for early resolution rather than letting negotiations linger into contract-year distractions. Given the Lions’ emphasis on stability and locker-room clarity, a deal before the 2026 season kicks off would not be surprising.
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The Bottom Line
Jahmyr Gibbs is not just another running back in Detroit’s system — he is a foundational offensive piece. With elite production, positional versatility, and age on his side, the Lions are strongly positioned to secure him long-term.
A four-year, $80 million extension following the fifth-year option represents a logical, market-consistent investment in one of the most explosive players in the NFL and a cornerstone of Detroit’s championship blueprint.
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