Jahmyr Gibbs could be next in line for a big payday after a strong hint from the Detroit Lions front office. Now, recent comments from team president Rod Wood are adding serious weight to that expectation.

Wood signaled that there might be an option of extending the contract of running back Jahmyr Gibbs, aka Sonic. At the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, he said that there is a current focus on retaining the core team, to use their available funds cautiously.

The Detroit Free Press reported that when Wood asked about delaying re-signing players like Gibbs and Brian Brianch to secure high-profile talents from the agency, he was not keen on doing so.

"Even doing that, it still would have been a difficult situation over the next two years with cash, so we were never in the game for that," Wood told the publication.

Passing Gibbs on would not have been a smart move for the Lions anyway. He has earned Pro-Bowl honors consistently since he entered the league, and has served brilliantly as a running back and as a pass catcher. He is only 24 years old and is coming off a 2025 season with a total haul of 1,839 offensive yards and 18 touchdowns. Wood is looking forward to having Gibbs on because of ths phenomenal production.

“A dynamic offensive player that you want to make sure you A.) keep him and B.) do it [in a way that’s] financially smart,” Wood said of the talented RB.

The news would surely make the fans happy, but in reality, the Lions are facing a huge cap and cash crisis. That's why the Lions would consider it smart to focus on their own star players, who will themselves command a high price.

Jahmyr Gibbs' future contract is going to be a huge one

At the moment, elite Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley has the highest annual payout for a back, at $20.6 million. But Gibbs' contract can stand to take that throne, because of his age and potential.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said Gibbs is definitely going to "cash in" with his new contract. According to Sportrac, the Lions RB is valued at $20.2 million on an annual basis. That figure could very well be bumped up a few figures by the team, and make him the highest-paid RB in the league on this basis.

Moreover, the Lions have already re-signed core players like wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, and more. Not having a player like Jahmyr Gibbs, who had the seventh-most rushing yards in the league last season, makes little sense.

Do you think Jahmyr Gibbs deserves a big extension? Share your thoughts with Lions fans below.

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Afreen Kabir