Lions' Dan Campbell shares excitement for Jahmyr Gibbs' return

After Detroit agreed to a record-setting contract extension with three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs on Thursday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed his excitement for the star’s return to the practice field and described how integral the former Alabama speedster is to the franchise’s offense.

“Well, yeah, I’m excited about that. You know, to be able to get him out here and get him going. You know, I’ve said all along, I mean, Brad and I love this kid, and he’s one of us, and he fits what we do perfectly. Of course, who does he not fit? I mean, this guy’s something else. So, it’s good to have him back,” Campbell said with the NFL Network on Friday.

Safe to say Dan Campbell is excited to have @Jahmyr_Gibbs1 back on the practice field 🤩@StaceyDales | @BaldyNFL | @Lionspic.twitter.com/Qohhun56xB

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 7, 2026

Gibbs’ extension, which could be worth up to $75.75 million with escalators, adds on to the remaining two years of his rookie deal and keeps the 2023 first-rounder with the Lions through the 2030 NFL season. It also keeps the franchise’s core players together for the foreseeable future.

Campbell shared what makes Gibbs so unique and so good for them.

“He does everything. Look, he’s tough, he’ll protect, he’s smart, he’s versatile. He’s got vision as a runner, he’s got patience. He’s obviously got long speed, you know, so he breaks out in the open, he can take it the distance. And, man, this kid’s got a route tree now, too. You can line him up at receiver, and we just started to teeter into that. There’s a ton of meat on the bone for this guy,” Campbell said.

With a handful of days before the Lions take the field for their first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Ohio on Thursday, Aug. 13, getting Gibbs back in practice is critical as the season nears.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions’ Dan Campbell shares excitement for Jahmyr Gibbs’ return