Lions Sign Jahmyr Gibbs to Record $67.5M Deal with 49 Career Touchdowns

Jahmyr Gibbs has agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $75.75 million, surpassing Barry Sanders' record for touchdowns through three seasons.

Jahmyr Gibbs and the Detroit Lions reached an agreement on Thursday for a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension that establishes him as the highest-paid running back in NFL history. The deal, confirmed by agent Todd France of Athletes First, includes $51.5 million in guaranteed money and carries a maximum potential value of $75.75 million. This landmark agreement eclipses the three-year, $66.75 million extension signed by Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week, which featured $51 million guaranteed at signing and a $75 million ceiling.

At 24 years old, Gibbs joins an elite group of NFL backs earning over $20 million annually, alongside Robinson ($22.25 million average annual value), Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts ($22 million), and Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles ($20.6 million). The former No. 12 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has recorded 49 career touchdowns to date. This total represents the highest number of scores for any player through their first three seasons in league history, breaking the previous franchise record of 47 held by Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.

Historic Production and Yardage Milestones

During the 2025 season, Gibbs ranked fifth in the NFL with 1,839 yards from scrimmage, consisting of 1,223 rushing yards and 616 receiving yards. He finished the year second in the league for total touchdowns with 18. His receiving production reached new heights last season as he set career highs in receptions (77), receiving yards (616), and touchdown catches (5). Over his first three professional campaigns, Gibbs has accumulated 3,580 rushing yards, the 22nd highest total for a player in Years 1-3 since yardage tracking began in 1932.

ESPN Research indicates that the three-time Pro Bowler is one of only 19 players to ever record at least 3,500 rushing yards and 600 receiving yards at the start of a career. These statistics were achieved while Gibbs shared offensive snaps with David Montgomery. In March 2026, the Lions traded Montgomery to the Houston Texans, where he had averaged 187 carries and 835 yards per season during his three-year tenure in Detroit.

Offensive Changes for the 2026 Season

Following a 9-8 finish in 2025 that saw the Lions miss the postseason, the organization appointed Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator. Petzing joins Detroit after serving in the same capacity for the Arizona Cardinals over the previous three seasons. His primary objective involves enhancing a run game that will now be led by Gibbs and former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who was signed to fill the vacancy left by Montgomery’s departure.

Despite his record-breaking start, Gibbs expressed to ESPN in January that he has not yet reached his peak performance level. He noted that he personally could have executed better to help the team overcome specific deficits throughout the year. The extension was reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on August 6, 2026, at 05:33 PM ET.