Although the executive office of the Detroit Lions has not made many public statements on future contracts, beat journalist Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press recently revealed in his most recent mailbag that the Lions already want to keep running back Jahmyr Gibbs in Honolulu blue for the foreseeable future.
TL;DR
The Lions “intend” to offer Jahmyr Gibbs an extension when the time comes, according to Birkett.
The earliest possible time for a new contract would be after the 2025 season.
It’s unclear how much Detroit will ultimately spend on a top-tier running back.
The location of the Gibbs Extension Birkett’s mailbag query about a possible trade for Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson sparked discussion. He briefly mentioned the club’s plans for Gibbs while downplaying that possibility:
“They don’t have that much money set aside for a second defensive end because they plan to pay Aidan Hutchinson, Gibbs, and a number of other draft picks of their own.” Birkett penned.
GM Brad Holmes appears to have already factored his star back into future cap calculations based on just one line.
When “The Time” Could Come
Gibbs is just starting his third year of his rookie contract, so not this offseason.
Post-2025 window: After the upcoming season, which is the typical time for first-round selections, an extension might be considered.
Negotiation unknowns: Detroit’s long-term cap policy and running back market worth will determine the final numbers.
The Significance of It
According to Birkett’s article, Detroit sees Gibbs as a foundational piece rather than a temporary luxury. Gibbs has rapidly emerged as one of the offense’s most potent weapons. Fans who were unsure if the Lions would actually pay a running back now have an answer: even though the specifics won’t be known for another year or two, the intention is there.
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