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It’s been a big week for NFL running backs who have been stuffing their bank accounts with one big contract after another. And, true to the idiom, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs saved the best for last.
Gibbs agreed on Thursday evening to a three-year deal worth $67.5 million that includes $51.5 million in guaranteed money. The deal was announced by agent Todd France, who represents Gibbs, on his Instagram account.
Gibbs will be averaging an NFL-high $22.5 million per season on an annual average basis.
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That’s understandable because he has turned the running back spot into a playmaking position at heights not really seen in Detroit since Barry Sanders did his thing back in the 1990s.
Gibbs has scored 39 rushing touchdowns in his first three seasons. He also scored 10 more receiving touchdowns. He led the NFL with 20 total TDs from scrimmage in 2024.
The Gibbs deal comes hours after Jonathan Taylor agreed to a two-year extension with the Indianapolis Colts that averages $22 million per season.
The Gibbs deal also comes days after Bijan Robinson signed a deal with the Atlanta Falcons that averages $22.25 million per season.
Yes, big week for NFL running backs, as all of those players surpassed the Saquon Barkley contract that averages $20.6 million per season and stood as the benchmark for the position since the 2025 offseason.
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So, is there any downside from any of this?
Well, for the Detroit Lions it signals them doing something very familiar in that they draft well and pay to keep their own players.
They have now extended Gibbs, Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jameson Williams, Alim McNeill and Kerby Joseph — all good players the team selected in the draft.
And the Lions have used that expensive talent to win the NFC North in 2023, ending a 32-year playoff victory drought, advance to the NFC Championship Game that postseason, win a franchise-record 15 games in 2024 and reach the playoffs again last season.
But you know what’s missing?
A Super Bowl berth.
A Super Bowl win.
Dan Campbell’s team has been outstanding with its drafting, with the developing of that young talent and in winning.
But that drafted and developed talent is playing at a much steeper price now. We’re talking over $800 million in total contract commitments for those picks now with the Gibbs deal.
The Lions should be expected to get the Super Bowl championship they are most definitely paying for.
FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO
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