Jahmyr Gibbs was all smiles when stepping in front of the lectern at Allen Park Friday afternoon. With his deal now signed through the 2030 season, Gibbs can focus on what he’s wanted to the entire time: football.
But he admitted in his press conference that the last few weeks have been hard.
“This process was extremely stressful, because I just wanted to play ball,” Gibbs said. “I missed being out there with my teammates and coaches. It’s just fun being out there right now with my pads and stuff on. It just feels a lot better.”
Gibbs’ hold-in lasted a week into training camp, forcing him to miss the first six practices of the summer. For someone as relatively soft-spoken as Gibbs, it may have come as a surprise to some. And while it was clear the Lions running back wasn’t super comfortable with the media circus chasing him around for a week, he believed it was a necessary part of the process.
“It was really hard, but it’s a business,” Gibbs said. “Stuff has just got to get done, but, yeah, it was really hard.”
In the end, Gibbs clearly got what he was seeking: a three-year extension that makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. His reported $22.5 million per year average value is a record-high for a running back and his $51.5 million guaranteed is only second to rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (whose rookie contract comes fully-guaranteed as the third overall pick).
It’s been a rare offseason in which several running backs have exploded the market, years after there appeared to be a general consensus around the league that backs don’t deserve big paydays. Gibbs said it was important for him to continue to push the running back market for the younger generation of backs, showing that becoming a full well-rounded back can result in big paydays.
He got calls from several high-profile running backs throughout the process giving him encouragement, including Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, and DeVon Achane.
“They all reached out, showed some love. As always, we’re all in this together,” Gibbs said.
So Gibbs is paid. He’s back on the field. He’s earned a few Pro Bowls and set a handful of records along the way. What’s next for the 24-year-old back?
“Ultimately, I just want to win a Super Bowl with this team, and do anything it takes to get that.”
