Lions make Gibbs highest-paid RB in NFL history

The Detroit Lions and three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs have agreed to a contract extension makes him the highest paid running back in NFL history. Gibbs and the Lions reached agreement Thursday on a three-year, $67.5 million deal that could be worth up to $75.75 million and includes $51.5 million guaranteed, agent Todd France of Athletes First told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The record deal surpasses the extension Bijan Robinson signed with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week. Robinson's contract extension is for three years and $66.75 and could be worth up to $75 million (including $51 million guaranteed at signing). The $22.25 million average annual value of Robinson's contract made him the NFL's third running back to make more than $20 million per year in an extension, along with the Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor ($22 million) and the Philadelphia Eagles' Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million). Since being drafted No. 12 in 2023, Gibbs, 23, has emerged as one of the most productive offensive players in NFL history. Despite splitting snaps with David Montgomery throughout his time in Detroit, Gibbs' 49 career touchdowns are the most in NFL history for a player through his first three seasons, surpassing the previous mark held by former Lions great Barry Sanders (47). His 3,580 rushing yards are the 22nd most for any player in Years 1-3 since yardage statistics were first recorded in 1932, per ESPN Research, and he is one of 19 players to record at least 3,500 rushing yards and 600 receiving yards to start a career. Last season, the 23-year-old Gibbs finished fifth in the league with 1,839 yards from scrimmage (1,223 rushing, 616 receiving) and second in total touchdowns (18). His 77 receptions, 616 receiving yards and five touchdowns were a career high. And he could see his workload increase in 2026 after Detroit traded Montgomery -- who averaged 187 carries and 835 yards in his three seasons with the Lions -- to the Houston Texans in March. After a 9-8 finish in 2025, in which the Lions failed to reach the postseason, Detroit hired new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who spent the past three seasons as the OC of the Arizona Cardinals. One of his main challenges will be to enhance the run game, which will be spearheaded by Gibbs and former Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who the Lions signed to replace Montgomery. Despite his historic production, Gibbs -- a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons -- said he doesn't believe he's played his best football yet. "Nah. I don't think so," Gibbs told ESPN in January. "Me personally, I could've done a lot of stuff throughout the year to get us out of some holes."