Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs remained on the sidelines for the physical portions of practice Tuesday as the team’s training camp reached its sixth day, leaving observers to wonder about the status of his contract situation.
Gibbs, who has earned Pro Bowl recognition in each of his first three NFL seasons, is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Lions have yet to finalize a long-term extension with the dynamic back, even as he continues to work in non-contact drills at the team’s facility.
The recent agreement between the Atlanta Falcons and Bijan Robinson has intensified focus on Gibbs’ negotiations. Robinson’s new contract set a high mark for running backs and appears to have shifted the landscape for other elite players at the position.
NFL insider Adam Schefter addressed the matter during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. He described a deliberate waiting game that played out between the two standout backs.
“I think that there was definitely a waiting game going on between Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs,” Schefter said. He noted that Robinson was expected to move first with larger numbers, after which the Lions would work to narrow the difference in their offer to Gibbs.
Schefter suggested the strategy of waiting could benefit Gibbs financially.
“I think Gibbs, by waiting, may get some more money, and if they use this deal as a road map, then I would think that Gibbs’ deal shouldn’t take very long,” he added.
The dynamic mirrors a high-profile quarterback situation from 2023. That year, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert signed a five-year, $262.5 million extension in July, averaging $52.5 million annually.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow followed shortly afterward with a five-year, $275 million agreement that paid him $55 million per year. By allowing Herbert’s deal to set the baseline, Burrow secured an additional $2.5 million in average annual value.
Analysts see a similar opportunity now for Gibbs. With Robinson’s contract in place, the Lions star could potentially exceed those figures if negotiations accelerate in the coming weeks.
The broader running back market has shown significant growth. Host Pat McAfee pointed out on the same show that compensation at the position has risen 39 percent since 2023, compared with just an 11 percent increase over the previous 12 years.
Much of that upward movement traces back to Saquon Barkley’s $20.6 million-per-year deal signed after his standout 2024 season. The surge in the salary cap has also contributed to higher guarantees and overall values.
Attention now turns to whether Gibbs can surpass both Robinson and Barkley with his next contract. The Lions, coming off strong recent seasons, face pressure to retain one of the league’s most productive backs while managing their salary structure.
Gibbs has proven versatile in Detroit’s offense, combining explosive speed with reliable receiving skills out of the backfield. His absence from padded sessions has not gone unnoticed by coaches and teammates, though the team has not publicly linked it to contract talks.
As training camp progresses and the preseason approaches, the expectation around the league is that a resolution could come relatively soon. Schefter’s comments have fueled optimism that the two sides will find common ground without prolonged delay.
For a position long viewed as undervalued in free agency and extensions, the recent flurry of deals signals a shift. Running backs with proven production and dual-threat ability are commanding more attention and resources from front offices.
Whether Gibbs becomes the next beneficiary remains to be determined, but the framework established by Robinson’s agreement has clearly raised the stakes in Detroit.
