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Lions Give Gibbs $67.5M Deal, Making Him Highest-Paid RB

8/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Detroit Lions signed RB Jahmyr Gibbs to an extension worth $67.5 million, rising to $75.75 million with $51.5 million guaranteed, making him the NFL’s highest-paid running back.
Gibbs set an NFL record with 49 total touchdowns in his first three seasons, passing Barry Sanders’ 47.
After trading David Montgomery, coach Dan Campbell said Gibbs will be the Lions’ “bell cow” and assume a larger role.

History

Historical Context

After Barry Sanders left Detroit in 1999, the Lions had not fielded a 2,000-yard rusher since his 1997 2,053-yard season and struggled to build a run-first identity. In 2024, coach Dan Campbell locked rookie Jahmyr Gibbs to a five-year, $67.5 million extension, echoing the franchise’s historic reliance on elite backs and reshaping NFL backfield salary norms.

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Story summary

Detroit Lions signed RB Jahmyr Gibbs to an extension worth $67.5 million, rising to $75.75 million with $51.5 million guaranteed, making him the NFL’s highest-paid running back.
Gibbs set an NFL record with 49 total touchdowns in his first three seasons, passing Barry Sanders’ 47.
After trading David Montgomery, coach Dan Campbell said Gibbs will be the Lions’ “bell cow” and assume a larger role.

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