First came Bijan Robinson’s record-setting $66.75 million contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons, resetting the market for running backs. Now, it’s time for Jahmyr Gibbs to get his payday, too.
Gibbs’ team was patient, and now, the Detroit Lions’ three-time Pro Bowler is the highest-paid running back in football.
NFL Community Reacts to Jahmyr Gibbs’ $67.5 Million Deal
The Falcons made Robinson the NFL’s highest-paid RB on Tuesday. His crown lasted for all of two days before Gibbs passed him.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gibbs is signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract that can be worth up to $75.75 million. It includes $51.5 million guaranteed, the largest ever for a running back.
It’s been a special week for tailbacks; some, like NFL insider Ian Rapoport, might even say “historic.”
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“A historic week for running backs,” Rapoport wrote on X.
A historic week for running backs. https://t.co/Y0Pehg53ew
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2026
Robinson and Gibbs are the best of the best when it comes to running backs today. Both make an impact as a rusher and as a receiver, and by resetting the market, their contracts now reflect their immense value on the field.
As Rapoport’s colleague Mike Garafolo said, “Consider the top tier of the running back officially and finally established.”
Consider the top tier of the running back officially and finally established. https://t.co/Lnte5eKig8
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 6, 2026
CBS Sports’ JP Acosta also reacted to Gibbs’ historic deal and wrote, “RBs Matter.”
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One commenter commended Gibbs’ agent for patiently waiting for Robinson and Jonathan Taylor to sign their extensions, so that the Lions running back could land an even bigger payday.
“Phenomenal work by Gibbs’ camp to be the last RB to negotiate a payday this offseason,” the user wrote on X.
Phenomenal work by Gibbs’ camp to be the last RB to negotiate a payday this offseason https://t.co/QAFFvNYPyy
— Nico (@elitetakes_) August 6, 2026
Others commended the Falcons’ general manager Ian Cunningham for getting Robinson’s deal done first, paying a slightly reduced rate for their star running back than the Lions are paying.
“Great job to Ian Cunningham getting Bijan deal done first,” an account named BroTalk said on X.
Great job to Ian Cunningham getting Bijan deal done first. https://t.co/DrcwI9OuWO
— BroTalk (@BKsquared7) August 6, 2026
While Gibbs had been avoiding full-practice activities at Lions training camp, he’s now expected to go full bore with his financial future secured in Detroit. As fantasy football expert Matthew Berry said, Gibbs is “ready to rock for the Lions and your fantasy team.”
Bleacher Report’s James Palmer essentially said that once Robinson’s deal was finalized, it made it easier to get Gibbs’ contract across the line.
“The numbers were in place after the Bijan Robinson deal was done,” Palmer said. “That was important here, with the thought Bijan was always going to go first. Second, we saw Gibbs in uniform today participating in the early portion of practice. This was at the doorstep and now… done.”
The numbers were in place after the Bijan Robinson deal was done. That was important here, with the thought Bijan was always going to go first. Second, we saw Gibbs in uniform today participating in the early portion of practice. This was at the doorstep and now … done.. https://t.co/DK5t7B347A
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 6, 2026
The Athletic’s Jets insider Zack Rosenblatt couldn’t help but liken the scenario to Breece Hall’s extension. Hall signed a three-year, $43.5 million extension with New York in May.
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“When Breece Hall signed his new contract, he was fourth among RBs in APY,” Rosenblatt said on X. “He’s already since dropped to eighth. Why it’s always smart for teams to sign guys early.”
Of course, Gibbs may also be the best running back in the NFL. He, along with Robinson, is the only one at their position to finish in the top five of PFN’s RB Impact Metric in the past two seasons.
Is Jahmyr Gibbs the best RB in the NFL? 👀
Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are the only players to finish top 5 in PFN’s RB Impact metric in each of the last two seasons. https://t.co/6GUus7TXjF pic.twitter.com/dOghrmL8Jm
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 6, 2026
Meanwhile, ESPN’s NFL analyst Ben Solak compared Robinson’s contract to the one Gibbs just signed, and they’re awfully similar.
“Bijan: 3 years
Gibbs: 3 years
Bijan: $22.25M APY
Gibbs: $22.5M APY
Bijan: up to $25M APY
Gibbs: up to $25.25M APY
Bijan: $51M guaranteed
Gibbs: $51.5M guaranteed
I love when this happens. Just sprinkle an extra $500k here and there and call it a day!”
While they may be close in value, all that matters here is that Gibbs is happy and back on the field.
