What if we told you Jahmyr Gibbs’ NFL journey could’ve started anywhere but Detroit? Yep, the Lions’ rookie phenom dropped a bombshell: two teams were ready to snatch him up before the Motor City made their move. The twist? Neither team was exactly on anyone’s radar for grabbing a RB that early.
Gibbs’ revelation adds a juicy layer to his draft-day narrative, making fans wonder what could’ve been if he’d ended up in a different jersey. Spoiler alert—he’s not holding back on the details, and let’s just say it’s got everyone talking about what might’ve been.
Jahmyr Gibbs and What Could Have Been
Jahmyr Gibbs in a Cowboys jersey? It almost happened. The Lions’ electric rookie revealed on The Richard Sherman Podcast that two teams—Dallas and Cincinnati—had plans to draft him. Big D was ready to snag the young rookie at No. 26 if he was still on-board. Spoiler alert: he wasn’t. Detroit snatched him at No. 12, leaving other suitors scrambling.
“No, I really didn’t [expect the Lions to pick me],” the 22-year-old admitted. “I mean, I knew they liked me. But, like, you know when you go on a visit, it seems like they all like you. So, I mean, it was crazy. I knew for a fact that Dallas was gonna get me at 26 if I was still there, and a couple of other places like Cincinnati’s gonna get me at like 18 or somewhere around that range. But I didn’t think I was gonna go 12.”
Jahmyr Gibbs was almost drafted to the Cowboys or Bengals 😵💫
🎥: RichardShermanPOD | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/cGtdfKoYhR
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) November 15, 2024
The Lions’ pick shocked more than just Gibbs. GM Brad Holmes took heat from draft analysts who argued that RBs don’t warrant a high pick in today’s NFL. Many believed the Alabama Crimson Tide product would’ve slipped to Round 2, where RBs like him are typically valued. Holmes wasn’t buying it.
“We had thoughts of maybe [selecting Gibbs] at 18,” GM Holmes said post-draft. “But we didn’t feel great about it, and so when we were able to select him at 12, that’s when all the texts started coming in of, ‘Oh, would’ve been gone by 15.’ Just a lot of picks, a lot of people saying they want to trade up; they want to get him. I wouldn’t have felt good about him staying at 18.”
For Dallas and Cincinnati fans, it’s a game of “what if.” But for Lions fans, Jahmyr Gibbs’ early production is all the validation Holmes needs. Sometimes, betting big on your guy pays off—and Gibbs is already proving the Lions right.
Gibbs Wants OC Ben Johnson to Stay in Detroit
Jahmyr Gibbs has one wish for 2025: “Keep Ben Johnson in Detroit.” The Lions’ star RB isn’t hiding his admiration for the offensive wizard who’s turned the team into an NFL juggernaut. Gibbs’ plea comes as Johnson’s play-calling mastery has Detroit sitting at 8-1, including a jaw-dropping 47-9 beatdown of the Cowboys in Week 6.
“What y’all did to Dallas… it was criminal,” former All-Pro CB Richard Sherman joked on his podcast. Gibbs confirmed the Lions were fueled by revenge after last year’s controversial loss to Dallas, saying, “We had to get that one back.”
In PFN’s 2025 head coach options, Johnson finished first out of 15 potential candidates for a potential position next year.
“Ben Johnson can become an NFL head coach the moment he decides he wants to. Multiple clubs — including the Panthers and Commanders, for starters — have reportedly wanted to hire Detroit’s OC over the past few offseasons. Instead, Johnson has turned down opportunities, preferring to stick and build with the Lions.
How much longer he’s willing to wait remains unclear. Johnson might not be able to reject the chance to work with a quarterback like Dak Prescott in Dallas or Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, especially if Detroit advances to or wins the Super Bowl this season.”
Now in his second season, the Pro Bowler is thriving under Johnson’s system. If the OC stays, Gibbs—and Detroit’s Super Bowl hopes—look primed for an even brighter future.