If Gibbs arrives at $20 million AAV, he could reset the running back market. Currently, Saquon Barkley is the only RB with an average above $20 million, while Christian McCaffrey sits at about $19 million. With Gibbs’ elite production—back-to-back seasons with at least 1,800 yards from scrimmage and 49 touchdowns in 49 games—premiums for his deal would be justified, and a $20 million annual figure would push total value well beyond $60 million.
On the other side, Campbell’s contract talks are complicated by his rising value after earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2025. His fifth-year option would cost $21.925 million, a price tag that could set a new benchmark for off-ball linebackers and influence leverage in negotiations. That market dynamic may pressure the Lions to act quickly to avoid paying top-of-market rates for a player at his position.
Analysts suggest that the Lions might have to prioritize strategically, potentially extending Campbell first to secure a lower long-term average annual value while preserving Gibbs’ longer-term earning power. Campbell’s longevity and proven production at inside linebacker add a different layer to the negotiation, even as Gibbs remains the more permissive path to a franchise-altering deal.
Meanwhile, the Lions are reportedly comfortable with Gibbs operating under a fifth-year option if needed, given his young age and high ceiling. The decision may come down to whether Detroit believes Gibbs is worth the record-setting price at running back, or whether it’s wiser to invest in Campbell and manage Gibbs’ extension on terms that don’t balloon the overall payroll for the position.
In the end, Detroit’s approach will hinge on balancing value and risk: Gibbs’ potential to redefine the RB market versus Campbell’s positional longevity and market impact. Both players are central to Brad Holmes’s drafting success, and the team will need a careful, long-term plan to keep this core intact while staying within salary-cap realities.
