On Tuesday, the Atlanta Falcons made two-time All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson one of the richest running backs in NFL history. Their reasoning was obvious: Robinson is the straw that stirs the drink in Atlanta's offense.
Robinson's contract comes at a particularly interesting time for Jahmyr Gibbs. The Detroit Lions star is in the midst of a hold-in during training camp — one where it's not all that clear what exactly he wants in negotiations. To this point, though, Gibbs just needed a comparable player at the same position to really jump-start conversations with the Lions. Robinson's new deal certainly qualifies.
But for as much as Robinson's contract should help Gibbs get what he wants, it probably won't be the only major factor. That's
because, even on a new deal, Robinson still hasn't secured the most guaranteed money for a running back in NFL history. No, no. That honor belongs to Arizona Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love, who has a four-year $53 million deal that is fully guaranteed without ever playing a single snap at the professional level.
Gibbs, in effect, can now point to a comparable peer like Robinson and a younger star player like Love who has yet to carry the ball once in a real game as his leverage in any and all negotiations with the Lions. His leverage and position are that much stronger for it:
Robinson becomes the second RB ever to be guaranteed more than $40M, behind only Jeremiyah Love, who signed a fully guaranteed 4-year, $53,022,816 deal with the Cardinals 💰 https://t.co/dvlyHVXlyc
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) August 4, 2026
To be sure, it's likely only a matter of time before the Lions pay up for Gibbs.
While he does play one of the shorter shelf-life positions in football, Gibbs is undoubtedly one of the two best tailbacks in the game, at worst, right now. He's also still only 24 years old and is coming off three straight Pro Bowl campaigns as the unquestioned cornerstone of the Detroit offense. The Lions can't afford to have Gibbs disgruntled in any way, shape, or form. They can, however, afford to pay him what he wants so he can keep gashing opposing defenses at the second level while wearing Honolulu blue for years to come.
How many years does Jahmyr Gibbs have left on his current Lions contract?
Gibbs has two years left on his Lions deal, which includes the upcoming 2026 season. The Lions picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract for 2027. A possible extension for Gibbs would start in 2028.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Jeremiyah Love, not Bijan Robinson, might be Jahmyr Gibbs’ best new contract leverage
