It’s the kind of decision that could shape the future of the roster. The Detroit Lions are now facing questions over a potential big-money move involving Jahmyr Gibbs, and not everyone is convinced it’s the right call.

While in conversation on 97.1 The Ticket, former offensive tackle Jon Jansen and host Jim Costa suggested the release of Jahmyr Gibbs from the Detroit Lions.

Addressing their financial constraint, they talked about the investments in the new prospects while releasing the veterans with expensive caps. 

“You make the trade with Jared Goff, and you reward your franchise quarterback, you reward Pena Sewell, you reward Amon Ross St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, and these guys have earned it,” Jon Jansen said. “Well, has Gibbs earned it? The answer would be yes. And has Jack Campbell earned it? Yes,” he added. 

Jansen acknowledged that the Lions' core talent needs to be rewarded for their contribution to the team's success, that need not necessarily have to come from the Lions. 

“But you don't have to reward all of those guys. Their reward may not actually come from you,” Jansen said, highlighting the importance of the cap reserves for any team. 

“They're probably going to get paid, whether it's you or somewhere else, but you can actually trade them,” said Jon. “Reward yourself by making a great pick, getting cheap, really good talent, and they can get rewarded by someone else,” Jon Jansen added. 

Jahmyr Gibbs was drafted by the Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Alabama in the first round as the 12th overall pick. His contract will end post 2026.

According to Spotrac, Gibbs would be at CLUB status in 2027 and an unrestricted free agent in 2028. There is no need to reward them. The Lions can just conserve their cap money and invest it where they deem fit. 

“I don't get the rewarding and extending guys like Campbell and Gibbs at this point,” Jon Jansen said. “You control them for three years, if you want, at least one of them with the tag….,”.

 “...You're going to pay them more later if they continue to do what they do. Yeah, that's the little downside. That's the risk. The cap is going up,” he accepted. 

ESPN's Dan Graziano has also forecasted that eventually, Gibbs might scale up to a $20 million per year stint, which will translate to $80 million for a four-year contract.

Agreeing to Jon Jansens’ points here, the host Jim Costas added another perspective while bringing up the cases of Kirby Joseph (Knee injury) and Aleem McNeil (ACL injury). What if the Lions reward the core talents in the future, and one of them gets injured? 

It will block the cap. Extra funds must be released for their treatment, resulting in the cap shrinking even more.  

“Yeah, but what if one of them blows out a knee?” Jim Costas became rhetorical. “Or has a debilitating knee injury that you won't be able to recover from?...”  

“...You picked up on it with Kirby Joseph and Aleem McNeil,” Costas said.

He further suggested that it is a business of winning the Super Bowl, but not the business of sustainably being relevant. “What are they going to do? Demand a trade if they don't get what they want. So it's a business is your word, John. So then run it like a business,” Jim Costas said bluntly. “The business of winning a Super Bowl, not the business of sustainably being relevant,” he concluded.

Why Paying Jahmyr Gibbs Big Money Could Be a Risk for the Lions

This warning by Jim Costa and Jon Jansen is not about his performance but more about how to keep the Lions up and running. It's not just Gibbs whose contract is about to come to an end, but the majority of the core Lions talent. 

As mentioned by Albert Breer on Sports Illustrated, Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, and Kerby Joseph are up for their big second deal. 

Whereas, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch, and Jack Campbell are now eligible for new contracts. The 2026 drafts are about to begin in April 2026, it would be financially heavy for the Lions. 

Indeed, Jahmyr Gibbs is producing the right production now, sitting at the Pro Football Focus grade of 85.6. He played in all 17 games, throwing for 1223 yards he scored 13 touchdowns.

“Sonic” is known as a dynamic, elite-speed running back for the Lions, known for his ability to produce explosive plays, exceptional receiving skills, and high-efficiency running.

But if the Lions want to remain in business, then Gibbs might have to leave in the future.  Or the cycle keeps on repeating, alongside an increasing cap on every extension.

What do you think about Jahymr Gibbs’ contract extension? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Joyita Das