The Detroit Lions could not have enjoyed watching this year’s Super Bowl. A season that began with hopes of making an appearance in the big game ended with the Lions watching the playoffs from home.
Three years after blowing a 24-7 halftime lead in the NFC Championship Game, Detroit’s championship window feels like it’s closing, creating a sense of urgency in the Motor City.
Sometimes teams try to make a philosophical shift in this position; however, the Lions appear to be going the other way as they try to maximize their offense. It’s why offensive coordinator John Morton lasted just one season in Detroit, and the Lions may try to make a marginal improvement on defense to become contenders again in 2026.
If the Lions are leaning into their offense, it means that an extension for running back Jahmyr Gibbs should be one of the first moves they make with the Super Bowl in the rearview mirror.
Extending Jahmyr Gibbs Early Would Benefit Lions' Offseason
Gibbs is one of the few foundational pieces of the Lions offense that isn’t locked up for the long term. Jared Goff (signed through 2028), Amon-Ra St. Brown (2029), and Jameson Williams (2029) are all signed into the later part of the decade, while Gibbs has been waiting his turn to get the bag.
After three years, Gibbs is more than deserving. Since entering the league as the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, he ranks seventh in rushing yards (3,580) and third in rushing touchdowns (39). He’s also one of the best receiving threats among running backs, ranking third in receptions (181), receiving yards (1,449), and receiving touchdowns (10).
As a result, negotiating a contract for Gibbs won’t be for the faint of heart. Spotrac currently estimates that Gibbs could command a three-year, $60.4 million extension or one worth $20.2 million annually. It could also exceed the four-year, $46 million contract James Cook signed with the Buffalo Bills at age 25 and the three-year, $42 million contract Jonathan Taylor signed with the Indianapolis Colts at age 24.
Set to turn 24 in March, those numbers represent a low-end deal for Gibbs and could take Detroit a minute to figure out the details. Then again, there’s a benefit to signing the deal as soon as possible.
The Lions must extend Gibbs, but they also have other needs along the offensive and defensive lines.
While building through the draft would be one way to solve the problem, the Lions may choose to get proven commodities to fill those holes, putting cap space at a premium entering next month’s free agent period. Restructuring the contracts of Goff, Gibbs, or Penei Sewell would be one way to create space, but getting Gibbs’ contract done early would have the biggest piece of the puzzle in place, allowing general manager Brad Holmes to work around it to place the best team on the field in 2026.
There is also a precedent of this happening quickly. St. Brown and Sewell signed their extensions in late April 2024, and Goff signed his most recent contract a month later. The Lions also signed linebacker Derrick Barnes to a three-year extension in 2025, proving that they can finalize a deal if things come together in short order.
With the bonus of eliminating a hold-in that could last through the summer, Gibbs should be at the top of Holmes’ list, and a deal could happen sooner than expected now that the offseason has begun.