Entering Week 1 with 49 scrimmage touchdowns through 49 games, Gibbs needed just one score to reach the milestone. He delivered early, scoring Detroit’s first touchdown of the 2026 season on a 1-yard rushing play. With that TD, Gibbs became only the sixth player in NFL history to reach 50 scrimmage touchdowns in his first 50 career games. The other members of this select group are Jim Brown, Marcus Allen, Chuck Foreman, Larry Johnson, and Steve Van Buren.
Gibbs has been a dynamic contributor as both a runner and receiver since entering the league in 2023. Over his first three seasons, he accumulated 3,580 rushing yards, 1,449 receiving yards, and 49 total touchdowns, illustrating his dual-threat impact.
This milestone comes at a time when Gibbs is stepping into a clearer leadership role in Detroit. For the first three seasons, he shared the backfield with David Montgomery. In 2026, following Montgomery’s trade to Houston, Gibbs is positioned as the centerpiece of the Lions’ running game. The team rewarded his rising value with a new contract worth $22.5 million per year.
Last season, Gibbs already delivered at an elite level while sharing carries. In 2025, he posted 1,223 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, along with 616 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. With the backfield now more clearly his, the ceiling for Gibbs appears even higher.
At 24 years old, Gibbs has already joined a company of some of the greatest running backs in NFL history. If Week 1 is any indication, he may continue rewriting the record book in the seasons ahead.
