When Jahmyr Gibbs took the practice field for the first time in training camp on Thursday morning, he likely knew how his work week was going to end.
Gibbs and the Lions agreed Thursday night on the parameters of a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension with $51.5 million guaranteed and a total possible attainable value of $75.75 million, according to multiple reports.
A strong sign a deal was imminent came earlier in the day when Gibbs went from the last running back hold-in standing, to suiting up for training camp practice for the first time this year.
Gibbs was on the field during stretching and walk-through portions of the workout but did not stick around to join the team for position work, detouring to the adjacent field with trainers instead.
The agreement, later trumpeted by agent Todd France, makes Gibbs the highest-paid running back in the NFL. The 24-year-old eclipsed Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love, Bijan Robinson (Falcons) and Jonathan Taylor (Colts) in total contract value and average annual salary.
Love signed his rookie four-year deal worth $53.022 million (fully guaranteed) to help reset the running back market following the draft and the other two worked out new contracts this week.
Gibbs and Robinson each received a benchmark-setting $22.5 million average in “new money,” which discounts the existing rookie deals they signed following the 2023 draft.
Robinson ($51 million) is now third in guaranteed money and Taylor ($39 million) is fourth.
Lions GM Brad Holmes said the front office was working diligently to finalize a deal with Gibbs on Wednesday.
“Obviously we love Jahmyr,” Holmes said in a Sirius/XM Radio interview. “Me and Dan (Campbell) have always been believers in that one-two punch. I just think that’s how this league is going now. But, you know, we’re having dialog. We’ll see where it goes.”
Gibbs has perfect attendance at camp. However, he has been only an observer while waiting for the Lions to address his contract status.
Entering his fourth NFL season, Gibbs is due $1.1 million in base salary and a $2 million roster bonus. In April, the team picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract that will pay him a guaranteed $14.29 million in 2027.
Gibbs has racked up 5,029 yards from scrimmage with 49 touchdowns in 49 games (24 starts) across his first three seasons.
Last season, Gibbs started all 17 games and rushed for 1,223 yards with 13 touchdowns. As a receiver, he set career highs across the board with 77 catches for 616 yards and five scores.
Gibbs was drafted 12th overall by the Lions the same year the Falcons selected Robinson at No. 8.
–Field Level Media
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