On Thursday morning, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media and downplayed his concern about Jahmyr Gibbs’ absence from training camp practices, as he awaits a new contract. After practice, his teammates threw their entire support behind the Pro Bowl running back.
“Jah’s doing what he can do,” fellow running back Sione Vaki said. “He definitely wants to be out there. That’s something he wanted to emphasize. This isn’t something he do. It’s just a business. He definitely wants to be with
his teammates, man. He’s that kind of guy. So, anytime we get to see him, we’re just loving him up, telling him, ‘Do what you’ve got to do.’”
Gibbs is currently under contract through 2027 after Detroit exercised his fifth-year option this offseason. But he became eligible for an extension this year, and after putting together three straight Pro Bowl seasons, it’s clear he’s ready for his first big-time payday.
[From Gibbs’ instagram page]
Amon-Ra St. Brown has a particularly valuable perspective on the situation. Not only is he very close to Gibbs, but two years ago, St. Brown was dealing with his own contractual negotiations that resulted in a four-year, $120 million extension. He’s hopeful Gibbs will join practice soon.
“Jahmyr’s my dawg. I miss him out here. I think he’ll be out here hopefully sooner rather than later,” St. Brown said. “I talk to him quite a bit. Obviously, I can’t share with you guys everything, but I love Jahmyr. I miss him out here. Like I said, he’ll be out here sooner rather than later, hopefully.”
But while St. Brown’s deal got done very early in the process—he signed his extension days before the 2024 NFL Draft—Gibbs’ negotiations have bled into training camp. Campbell admitted on Thursday he expected a deal to get done by now.
“I thought we’d have been done by now, but I also know how this goes,” Campbell said. “I’ve been in this league a long time, player and a coach. So know how it goes. I’m not sweating it.”
Detroit isn’t wasting their time with Gibbs’ absence. It’s been the perfect opportunity for free agent add Isiah Pacheco to get valuable reps in a new offense, and Vaki to get his first significant starter reps since joining the team in 2024.
“We’re still out there practicing, doing our thing,” St. Brown said. “Guys stepping up: Isiah, Vaki, (Jacob) Saylors. So, getting other guys opportunities too to show what they can do. So it all works out for a reason.”
Most importantly for Detroit, Gibbs’ absence doesn’t appear to be creating any sort of animosity in the locker room. He’s still at the facility, going through all the same meetings and other responsibilities. And as many players know, these negotiations are just part of life as an NFL player.
“Obviously, we’re missing one of our best players on offense, which sucks, but he’s still in the building,” St. Brown said. “He’s still at all the meetings and everything. So, I think that the players understand what’s going on. Everyone kinda gets it as part of this business.”
