The biggest question surrounding the Detroit Lions right now is whether they will make running back Jahmyr Gibbs the NFL’s first $100 million running back. What is no longer in question, however, is his importance to the offense following David Montgomery’s departure.
Fantasy football managers may have received even more encouraging news on Thursday. Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke with reporters and showered Gibbs with praise. More importantly, he officially anointed Gibbs as the unquestioned bell-cow back of the offense.
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That designation means Detroit plans to build its offense around Gibbs. Few players possess his combination of explosiveness, versatility, and playmaking ability. Many around the league already view him as the NFL’s top running back. For fantasy football players preparing for drafts, Gibbs has a legitimate case to be the No. 1 overall pick.
Dynasty fantasy football managers should be especially excited. Gibbs’ trade value has skyrocketed, and his outlook extends well beyond the 2026 season. He remains under contract through 2027, and Detroit could eventually reward him with a record-setting extension to keep him in town for the long haul.
The Lions selected Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. During his first two seasons, he shared the workload fairly evenly with Montgomery. The duo became known as “Sonic and Knuckles” and helped power Detroit to one of the franchise’s most successful stretches in recent memory.
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By 2025, however, Gibbs began separating himself from Montgomery. He emerged as Detroit’s featured back late in the season and averaged nearly 70% of the offensive snaps. His rise may have helped convince the organization it could move forward without Montgomery.
Now, Gibbs’ floor could realistically sit around 70% of the team’s offensive snaps moving forward. Detroit still has a capable complementary option after signing Isiah Pacheco. The former Kansas City Chiefs starter and two-time Super Bowl champion can spell Gibbs when needed while still providing quality production.
Gibbs is poised to become one of the most coveted offensive weapons in both fantasy football and the NFL as a whole. The only questions remaining are how high he will be drafted in fantasy leagues? And whether the Lions will lock him into a long-term deal in the near future.
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