—
Source: Detroit Lions
Summary
Jahmyr Gibbs, the highest-paid running back in NFL history, said he would take himself with the No. 1 pick in a fantasy football draft, according to the Detroit Lions’ team website. Gibbs signed a three-year, $67.5 million extension in August, with an average annual value of $22.5 million. In 2025, he rushed for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns, while in 2024, he had 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Lions traded David Montgomery, who averaged 187.3 carries per season, to the Texans. Gibbs is expected to carry a larger workload this season.
Our Reading
This one felt recognizable early.
Gibbs says he’d take himself first. He’s the highest-paid back ever. The Lions gave him the cash. He’s got the stats. He’s got the carries.
Montgomery’s gone. The backups have nine total NFL carries. Gibbs is the only guy they trust. He’s ready for it.
The Lions missed the playoffs last year. They fired their OC. They’re changing schemes. Gibbs is the constant.
The script is clear: the guy with the most money and the most touches gets the spotlight.
Author: Evan Null
Jahmyr Gibbs’ New Role
Jahmyr Gibbs has become the focal point of the Detroit Lions’ offense after signing a record-breaking contract. His new deal, worth $67.5 million over three years, makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. The Lions have already moved on from veteran David Montgomery, who had been a key part of the backfield for years. Gibbs, who has averaged 246.5 carries per season since 2024, is expected to take on a larger role this season.
The Lions’ decision to trade Montgomery and rely more on Gibbs signals a shift in their offensive strategy. With only Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki left in the backfield, the team has no real backup plan. Gibbs, who had 1,412 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024, is the only option they can count on. He’s already expressed confidence in his new workload, saying, “It’s nothing I haven’t done before.”
Despite the change in leadership, with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing taking over, the Lions are still counting on Gibbs to carry the ball. The team’s rushing production dropped from 146.4 yards per game in 2024 to 120.1 in 2025, which may have contributed to their missed playoff berth. Now, with a new system in place, Gibbs is the one they’re betting on to return the team to its previous success.
Gibbs’ comments about taking himself in a fantasy draft highlight his confidence in his own abilities. He knows his value, and the Lions are making sure he’s compensated for it. With the team’s new direction, Gibbs is positioned to be the main engine of the offense once again.
The Lions’ 2026 season starts with a home game against the New Orleans Saints. It’s a chance for Gibbs to prove that his contract and workload are justified. Fans will be watching closely to see if he can deliver the same kind of production that made him a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons.
The Contract and the Confidence
Jahmyr Gibbs’ new contract is more than just a financial statement—it’s a statement of intent. The Lions have invested heavily in him, and they expect him to be the primary offensive weapon. His $22.5 million average annual value is a record for a running back, and it reflects the team’s belief in his ability to carry the load.
Gibbs’ confidence is matched by his production. In 2024, he averaged 5.6 yards per carry and scored 16 touchdowns, the most in the NFL. Last season, he still put up 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns, proving he can be effective even when the offense isn’t at its peak. Now, with the Lions making a clear shift toward him, he’s ready to take the next step.
The team’s decision to move on from David Montgomery was a sign that they were looking for a more consistent and reliable option. Montgomery, who averaged 187.3 carries per season, had been a key part of the backfield, but Gibbs has shown he can handle the workload. With the Lions’ current running back depth being minimal, Gibbs is the only real option.
Gibbs himself seems to be embracing the role. He’s not shy about his value, and he’s not afraid to say he’d take himself in a fantasy draft. That kind of confidence is important, especially when you’re the guy the team is counting on to lead the offense.
With the new offensive coordinator in place, the Lions are hoping Gibbs can help them return to their previous level of success. Whether he can do that remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the team believes in him.
The New Offensive Strategy
The Detroit Lions’ decision to trade David Montgomery and place more trust in Jahmyr Gibbs signals a clear shift in their offensive strategy. With Montgomery’s departure, the team has no real backup plan at running back, leaving Gibbs as the only viable option. This move reflects the Lions’ belief that Gibbs can handle a larger workload and carry the offense on his own.
Gibbs has already shown that he can handle the responsibility. In 2024, he averaged 246.5 carries per season and produced 1,412 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Even in 2025, when the team struggled, he still managed to put up 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns. That kind of consistency is what the Lions are looking for as they try to rebuild their offense.
The Lions’ rushing production dropped from 146.4 yards per game in 2024 to 120.1 in 2025, which may have contributed to their missed playoff berth. With the new offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, in place, the team is looking to find a more consistent rushing attack. Gibbs is the key to that plan.
Despite the change in leadership, the Lions are still counting on Gibbs to be the main engine of the offense. He’s the only running back with any real experience, and he’s already shown that he can handle the workload. With the team’s new direction, Gibbs is the one they’re betting on to return the offense to its previous level of success.
The Lions’ 2026 season starts with a home game against the New Orleans Saints. It’s a chance for Gibbs to prove that his contract and workload are justified. Fans will be watching closely to see if he can deliver the same kind of production that made him a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons.
The New Offensive Coordinator
Drew Petzing, the new offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, brings a different approach to the offense. He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals and is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks and create balanced offensive schemes. His arrival in Detroit signals a shift in the team’s offensive philosophy.
Petzing replaces John Morton, who was fired after the Lions’ 9-8 season in 2025. Morton had been the offensive coordinator since 2023, and his departure was part of a broader change in leadership. The Lions are looking to return to their previous level of success, and Petzing is expected to help them do that.
The Lions’ rushing production dropped from 146.4 yards per game in 2024 to 120.1 in 2025, which may have contributed to their missed playoff berth. With Petzing in place, the team is hoping to find a more consistent rushing attack. Gibbs is the key to that plan.
Petzing’s experience with the Cardinals and his track record of developing offensive schemes make him a strong fit for the Lions. He’s expected to bring a more structured and balanced approach to the offense, which could help Gibbs thrive in his new role.
The Lions’ 2026 season starts with a home game against the New Orleans Saints. It’s a chance for Petzing to show what he can do and for Gibbs to prove that he can carry the offense on his own.
The 2026 Season
The Detroit Lions’ 2026 season is set to begin with a home game against the New Orleans Saints. The team has made several changes in the off-season, including the trade of David Montgomery and the hiring of new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. These moves are expected to shift the focus of the offense toward Jahmyr Gibbs, who is now the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
Gibbs’ new contract, worth $67.5 million over three years, is a clear indication of the Lions’ belief in his ability to carry the offense. He has already shown that he can handle a large workload, averaging 246.5 carries per season since 2024. With Montgomery gone and the team’s running back depth being minimal, Gibbs is the only real option.
The Lions’ rushing production dropped from 146.4 yards per game in 2024 to 120.1 in 2025, which may have contributed to their missed playoff berth. With Petzing in place, the team is looking to find a more consistent rushing attack. Gibbs is the key to that plan.
Gibbs himself has expressed confidence in his new role, saying, “It’s nothing I haven’t done before.” That kind of confidence is important, especially when you’re the guy the team is counting on to lead the offense. Fans will be watching closely to see if he can deliver the same kind of production that made him a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons.
The Lions’ 2026 season is a chance for Gibbs to prove that his contract and workload are justified. With the team’s new direction, he’s positioned to be the main engine of the offense once again. The Saints are the first test, but the real challenge will come as the season progresses.
