Detroit Lions Make Gibbs Highest-Paid RB

Jahmyr Gibbs signs record extension

Detroit Lions make Jahmyr Gibbs NFL’s highest-paid running back with $75.75M extension.

Gibbs passes Bijan Robinson as NFL’s top-paid Rb with new Lions extension...

The Detroit Lions made Jahmyr Gibbs the highest-paid running back in NFL history on Wednesday, signing him to a three-year extension worth up to $75.75 million. The deal includes $51.5 million guaranteed.

Gibbs’ base contract is valued at $67.5 million, but performance incentives can push the total to $75.75 million - putting him at the top of the running back market.

The 24-year-old has become one of the NFL’s top backs the last two seasons. In 2025 he finished fifth in scrimmage yards with 1,839 and second in touchdowns with 18. That came a year after he led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns and 20 total touchdowns.

Gibbs’ extension comes on the heels of other big RB deals. The Falcons gave Bijan Robinson a historic three-year, $75 million contract, and the Colts followed by signing All-Pro Jonathan Taylor to a two-year, $44 million deal.

The new deal puts Gibbs just ahead of Robinson for average annual value. Gibbs will earn $22.5 million per year, slightly topping Robinson’s $22.25 million.

Going into this season, Saquon Barkley was the only running back making more than $20 million annually at $20.6 million. With these new contracts, that number jumps to four backs at $20M+ per year in 2026.

Gibbs has made the Pro Bowl in all three of his NFL seasons. In each of the last two years alone, he’s posted at least 1,200 rushing yards at 5.0 yards per carry, 500 receiving yards, and 18 total touchdowns.

Jahmyr Gibbs is now the highest paid RB in NFL history.

The #Lions star gets a 3-year, $75.75M deal with $51.5M guaranteed — the highest APY and the highest guarantee ever for a RB. The deal is confirmed by his agent Todd France of @AthletesFirst on IG (Toddfrance_). pic.twitter.com/Atw3g3ZFno

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2026

The Georgia native also set an NFL record with 48 touchdowns in his first three seasons - the most by any player in league history over that span.

Detroit went 9-8 in 2025 and missed the playoffs after winning the division the two years prior. The Lions will kick off their 2026 season against the New Orleans Saints on September 13.