Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions Agree to Historic Contract to Be NFL's Highest-Paid RB, Updated Salary Cap

The Detroit Lions and Jahmyr Gibbs have agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract to make him the NFL's highest-paid running back, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The deal could be worth up to $75.75 million and includes $51.1 million guaranteed, Schefter added.

Prior to Gibbs' deal, the Lions had $14.6 million in cap space, per Over the Cap.

The contract extension will end the running back's training camp hold-in as his camp and the Lions worked out the parameters of the deal.

Gibbs is the third star running back to get an extension in recent days.

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson inked a three-year contract extension worth $66.75 million ($51.06 million guaranteed), per Over the Cap. That deal, at the time, made him the highest-paid running back in the NFL in terms of average annual value ($22.25 million per season).

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor also agreed to a two-year, $44 million extension (max out at $47 million), including $39 million guaranteed, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Lions selected Gibbs out of Alabama with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He's been a superstar in Honolulu blue, amassing 5,029 total yards and 49 touchdowns over his three years. Gibbs has rushed for 5.3 yards per carry over his NFL tenure.

Last season, Gibbs had 1,223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 243 carries (5.0 YPC) while adding 77 receptions for 616 yards and five more scores.

Therefore, it was no surprise when the Lions picked up their fifth-year option on Gibbs' rookie contract, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season for $14.29 million.

Gibbs' 2025 season followed a 2024 campaign where he had 1,929 total yards and 20 touchdowns.

Gibbs shared the Lions' backfield with veteran David Montgomery over his first three seasons. However, Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans in March, leaving an opportunity for Gibbs to become a "bellcow," per head coach Dan Campbell.

"I mean he is, he's going to be our bell cow now," Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Thursday, June 4. "He really became more of that last year, but we're going to hang our hat on him quite a bit. We're going to do a lot of things we feel like he does well."

Needless to say, Gibbs is an invaluable member of the Lions' offense. The 24-year-old is a three-time Pro Bowler with a bright future ahead of him, and it's no surprise the Lions wanted to get a long-term contract done to keep their RB1 around.