Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell never runs out of praise for their running back Jahmyr Gibbs. He sees the player as a "game changer" who is "unique." But now that the former first-round pick's contract needs to be revamped, Dan Campbell's statement with Gibbs did not sit well with an analyst.

"We feel like this guy can play some receiver,” the head coach at the 2026 Annual League Meeting. “We tried to tinker with some stuff last year. He really grew, but I think we're just scratching the surface of some of that."

Going by Dan Campbell's quotes, the Lions have planned to unlock Gibbs' full potential. But CBS Sports’s Joel Corry believes that with this statement, Dan Campbell invited a struggle for the Lions.

“Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t do the Lions any favors contractually by stating that Gibbs is just scratching the surface of his talent and is an offensive weapon rather than just a runner at the NFL annual owners meeting in late March,” wrote Corry.

Gibbs landed a rookie contract with Detroit in the 2023 NFL Draft as a first-round and 12th overall pick at $17.8 million for four years.

But this time, the contract negotiations won’t be easy. According to Spotrac, Gibbs is estimated to carry a $20.2 million market value. That's with a projected three-year, $60.5 million deal.

If he achieves the feat of $20.2 million, he could completely reset the running back market.

“Those comments will likely be used as ammunition for Gibbs to join Barkley in the $20 million-per-year running back club," Corry wrote.

Saquon Barkley is the highest-paid running back in the NFL, earning $20.6 million. The fact that Dan Campbell now sees Gibbs as an offensive weapon, it raises the running back's market value in future negotiations with Detroit.

Dan Campbell Will Have to Make Contract Negotiations for Jack Campbell

According to Spotrac, Jack Campbell landed a rookie contract with the Lions in 2023 at $14.7 million for four years. 

As mentioned by A to Z Sports, Jack Campbell’s extension projection deal will be a four-year extension worth $104 million, with $78 million of that guaranteed with an AAV of $26 million.

Similarly, in this case, landing an extension deal would be difficult for Dan Campbell because of the projected market price. 

“[Jack] Campbell earning Pro Bowl honors last season created a problem for the Lions,” wrote Corry. “The value of Campbell’s fifth-year option increased by $6.801 million from $15.124 million to $21.925 million."

The Lions are already low on cap space, according to Over The Cap, a little more than $35 million. They invested the money in free agency, then in retaining core talent for the upcoming 2026 season. 

How will Detroit tread through the contract negotiations? Share your thoughts.

Read more at Detroit Lions Community.

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar