Jahmyr Gibbs delivers a very strong message on Lions at minicamp, informative take.

Jahmyr Gibbs has been turning heads with his offseason assessments, but he isn’t alone in singing the same tune about Detroit’s 2026 preparation. During Lions minicamp, the fourth-year running back praised the team for the progress shown throughout the spring sessions. He told reporters that the squad has made marked strides and appears ahead of where it stood at the same point last year, with players “playing fast” and understanding their assignments. Gibbs described the atmosphere as feeling “almost in season form,” a bold declaration given that training camp and the next organized team activities lie ahead.

Minicamp concluded on June 17, marking the end of Detroit’s mandatory offseason work. While offseason comments carry a degree of subjectivity, Gibbs’ remarks suggest a strong belief within the locker room that the offense is ready to take another step forward under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Gibbs specifically highlighted Petzing’s intelligence and high standards, noting that the coordinator “puts a lot on our plate, but he knows we can do it.” This conviction aligns with Gibbs’ role as the clear-cut starting running back for the coming season.

Gibbs has previously been a productiven force in Detroit’s backfield, averaging substantial production in each of his seasons. In the 2025 campaign, he amassed at least 1,200 rushing yards and contributed no less than 500 receiving yards, finishing with 1,839 total yards from scrimmage and 18 total touchdowns. A step back from the 2024 season’s numbers, Gibbs still showcased elite versatility, including a league-high 20 rushing touchdowns in 2024 and a combined 1,929 yards from scrimmage that year. He has averaged 5.3 yards per carry across his NFL tenure.

This offseason, the Lions reshaped the running back depth chart. They traded veteran Isiah Pacheco to the Houston Texans to clear a path for Gibbs as the lead back. The backfield now features Gibbs as the focal point, with Pacheco brought in to complement behind him, and playmakers such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta returning to bolster the offense alongside Gibbs.

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Gibbs aims to maintain or exceed his productive level, with the expectation that the offense—under Petzing—will operate at a higher tempo and more precise execution. Training camp will open in mid to late July, followed by the preseason slate beginning in August. The Lions’ first preseason game is set for August 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals, giving the team and fans an early glimpse of how the unit performs with the new system and personnel complements. The regular season opener remains a few weeks later, as Detroit is scheduled to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 on September 13.

Fans should monitor how Gibbs meshes with the new offensive framework and how the offense unfolds during the preseason. While the line between offseason optimism and in-season reality can be thin, Gibbs’ comments and the Lions’ offseason moves signal a concerted effort to capitalize on momentum and push for a competitive season in 2026.