The Detroit Lions may finally be closing in on the contract extension everyone has been waiting for.
Jonathan Jones of The Athletic reported Thursday morning that sources have expressed optimism that Detroit and Jahmyr Gibbs will complete a deal this week.
“Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs is the last RB standing,” Jones reported. “Sources have expressed optimism a deal would get done this week for Gibbs.”
Nothing has been signed or officially announced yet. Still, this is the strongest indication so far that the prolonged negotiations could be nearing the finish line.
Jahmyr Gibbs Is Now the Last Major Running Back Waiting
Gibbs entered training camp in a contract-related hold-in alongside Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson.
Robinson’s wait ended with a three-year, $66.75 million extension averaging $22.25 million in new money. Indianapolis then agreed to a two-year, $44 million extension with Jonathan Taylor, creating another $22 million-per-year benchmark.
Those agreements have clarified the market for Detroit.
Gibbs is younger than Taylor and has produced 5,029 yards from scrimmage and 49 touchdowns through his first three NFL seasons. He has also earned three Pro Bowl selections and is expected to become the centerpiece of the Lions’ backfield in 2026.
A deal worth roughly $22.5 million to $23 million per extension year would move Gibbs ahead of Robinson and make him the NFL’s highest-paid running back by annual value.
Gibbs Takes Encouraging Step at Lions Practice
Thursday also brought progress on the field.
Gibbs was in uniform and took repetitions during the walkthrough portion of Detroit’s practice, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. It was his first visible participation with the offense after spending the opening week of camp watching practices and working inside the facility.
Walkthrough repetitions do not necessarily mean his hold-in has ended. They do suggest the two sides remain connected and that Gibbs is preparing himself to return when the situation is resolved.
General manager Brad Holmes confirmed earlier this week that negotiations were active.
“We’re having dialogue,” Holmes said. “We’ll see where it goes.”
Jones’ latest report provides considerably more optimism than Holmes was willing to offer publicly.
Lions Finally Have a Clear Contract Framework
Detroit no longer needs to wait for another team to establish the market.
Robinson signed. Taylor signed. Gibbs is the remaining star back seeking his new deal.
The Lions still have contractual control through 2027, but extending Gibbs now would give their most explosive offensive player immediate security before he takes on the largest workload of his career.
It would also remove the biggest distraction hanging over training camp.
Detroit is installing Drew Petzing’s new offense, rebuilding portions of the offensive line and preparing Gibbs for an expanded bell-cow role. Each missed padded practice takes away valuable preparation time.
A deal this week would allow everyone to shift the conversation back to football.
Bottom Line
The Detroit Lions and Jahmyr Gibbs have not announced a contract extension, but optimism is reportedly growing that an agreement will be completed this week.
Gibbs is now the final major running back waiting after Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor landed deals worth at least $22 million annually.
The market has been set. Gibbs has begun taking walkthrough repetitions. The Lions and his representatives remain in communication.
All signs are beginning to point toward the same conclusion.
Jahmyr Gibbs could be the next running back to get paid.
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