The Detroit Lions’ running back Jahmyr Gibbs has drawn another bold take as an NFL analyst compared his situation to Buffalo Bills RB James Cook amid rising contract extension chatter. 

While speaking on The Valenti Show on Rico podcast, Mike Valenti delivered his opinion of not giving a big contract extension to the Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs but rather waiting for the right time instead of giving him a market-resetting number right away, as the Bills did with Cook.

“I think if I look, I wouldn't pay for it. I would treat him like the Bills treated James Cook,” Mike Valenti said. “Not giving you your deal. Might be able to get it during the year. Not giving it to you now.” 

According to Mike Valenti of The Valenti Show with Rico podcast, the Detroit Lions must hold on to their idea of giving Gibbs a contract extension and use him extensively on the field.

He argues that the Lions must adopt the policy of the Bills to practice a patient stance over ‌a contract extension under his “toothpaste” theory.

To support his claim, he cited the example of RB James Cook, who the Bills held in time for training camp and later signed a four-year contract at $48M ($12M per annum) instead of $15M per year.

“You want to keep him, keep him. I don't care. Do whatever you want. I'm not paying a running back. I'm not paying this guy $22 million a year,” Valenti argues. “Not doing it. I'd use them up like we got you now, we got you next year. And guess what? I'll franchise your a**.” 

Meaning, squeeze every ounce of value out of a running back during their cheap rookie contract and team-controlled years and then move on from them to the other rookies.

Amid the speculation around his contract extension, former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Jon Jansen believes that Gibbs might go into “hold-out” for training camp, since the alleged contract negotiations stalled.

Jahmyr Gibbs could hold out amid contract uncertainty

As reported by Christian Booher of the Detroit Lions on SI, the former Lions OT Jon Jansen has suggested that Jahmyr Gibbs might not take part in the 2026 NFL training camp, as he has still not landed a contract ahead of the NFL season.

"There is a chance that Jahmyr Gibbs is looking at running back deals, the contracts that the Lions have handed out, when they've handed them out, and says, 'I'm next in line, and if I don't get my contract before camp, I may be a hold-in, or a hold-out,'" Jansen said. "However, you want to talk about not practicing until he gets a new deal."

Among the other first-rounders like Jack Campbell, who has recently landed a contract with the Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs is still waiting for his extension. 

After the departure of RB David Montgomery, Gibbs became a prominent figure on the Detroit Lions' RB depth chart. 

With him missing training camp, it would hurt the development of the Lions' offense under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, per Jansen. 

As of now, the Lions' front office, as well as Gibbs, has made no public statement around the chatter, but it would not be a good development for the Lions ahead of training camp.

Would Jahmyr Gibbs call the hold-in? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker