Gibbs has established himself as a standout in Detroit since being taken No. 12 overall in 2023. He totaled 1,223 rushing yards and 13 rushing TDs in 2025, and has never averaged fewer than 5.0 yards per carry in a season. He also set career-highs as a receiver last year with 77 receptions, 616 yards and five receiving TDs.
That level of production comes as the NFL continues to de-emphasize the running back position, making Gibbs’s production and age—24 entering 2026—an outlier among current RBs. He has earned a Pro Bowl nod in each of his three professional seasons and remains one of the few backs whose value remains demonstrably high.
In context, the current RB market features Josh Jacobs at the top for total value (four years, $48 million) and Saquon Barkley leading in guaranteed money ($36 million) and annual average value (about $20.6 million). Graziano’s assessment suggests Gibbs could push past Barkley’s guarantees and AAV, effectively re-setting the market for a top-tier back.
The Lions, meanwhile, must balance Gibbs’s potential deal with their broader financial picture. Gibbs still has one year left on his rookie contract at $17.8 million, and Detroit can exercise a fifth-year option for 2027. With other core players such as tight end Sam LaPorta, safety Brian Branch and linebacker Jack Campbell also up for new deals, the organization may prioritize those extensions before finalizing Gibbs’s agreement.
Ultimately, the decision will hinge on negotiations, injury risk, and cap projections. If Gibbs remains healthy and continues to perform at a high level as the salary cap trends upward, a market-resetting contract could become a reality for a player who has consistently delivered elite production.
