With the training session underway for all the NFL teams, the last forty-eight hours have been nothing short of a roller coaster for the running backs in the NFL. In just two days, the Atlanta Falcons’ Bijan Robinson and the Indianapolis Colts‘ Jonathan Taylor landed the two most lucrative RB contracts in the NFL, leading to predictions on when Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs will put his pen to paper.
As speculation continues to grow over Gibbs’ extension, ESPN’s senior analyst and NFL Insider Adam Schefter projected when the extension could finally happen when Pat McAfee asked him on his show this morning.
“I would guess next 24 hours,” Adam Schefter said while giving his prediction on the Pat McAfee Show. “I would take the under 24 hours.”
If the experienced analyst’s expected timeline turns out to be true, Gibbs could finally sign his extension paperwork by the morning of August 7, making the three biggest RB deals in just seventy-two hours.
Although the three-time Pro Bowler was spotted this morning in pads, he has yet to do physical reps. The contract remains a high priority for the franchise for several reasons.
Why the Lions Can’t Afford to Delay Jahmyr Gibbs’ Extension
Jahmyr Gibbs has been one of the successful signings in the Brad Holmes era, selecting him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. His rookie deal is worth $17.8 million for four years, as the fifth-year extension option has already been executed.
However, his remarkable production does not match the size of his paycheck from the rookie contract, which is why he is seeking a high-value extension heading into the 2026 season. Playing three seasons at Ford Field Stadium, he has 675 carries and 3,580 rushing yards, putting him among the leading running backs in the league.
GettyLions RB Jahmyr Gibbs
With the 24-year-old expected to be the Lions’ bell cow next season, getting him into full practice would be a huge step in the right direction for Dan Campbell and Drew Petzing. The sooner he makes his return, the better the chance to implement the team’s offensive schemes more quickly.
As the market price tag is set above $22 million a year, there is certainly no meaningful reason to delay it further, especially considering two other notable 2023 draft picks, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch, are also in the queue.
Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch Could Be Next in Line for New Deals
Once Brad Holmes signs the extension of Gibbs, he is likely to shift focus to Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch, who have been a key part of the Lions’ offense since getting selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. The other first-round pick from that draft, Jack Campbell, already signed a massive $81 million extension in May.
GettyTight end Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions.
LaPorta and Branch were second-round picks, so they do not have a fifth-year option in their contracts. It means the 2026 season will be the final year for the tight end and the safety in their rookie contracts. Hence, once Gibbs’ negotiations are down, it will clear the path for LaPorta and Branch to be rewarded next.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ Lions Extension Timeline Floated by Senior NFL Analyst