Detroit Lions Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs finally got what he wanted. A record-setting contract brought financial security, but for Gibbs, it also ended an anxious wait that had kept him off the practice field. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
"This process has been extremely stressful," Gibbs said Friday, one day after signing a three-year contract extension that made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. "I just wanted to play ball. I missed being out there with my teammates and coaches and it's just fun being out there now."
The extension, agreed to Thursday, is worth $67.5 million over three years and could reach $75.75 million with incentives. It includes $51.5 million in guaranteed money, according to multiple reports, surpassing the deal Atlanta's Bijan Robinson signed earlier this week.
After signing the contract, Gibbs participated only in individual drills Friday, but said the biggest relief was putting the negotiations behind him.
Three years ago, many questioned whether the Lions had reached by selecting a running back with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Gibbs said the criticism never bothered him.
"For me, I didn't really care, because I knew what I could do, and I was confident in myself," he said.
Three seasons into his career, Gibbs has put together one of the most productive starts by a running back in NFL history. Despite sharing the backfield with David Montgomery, Gibbs has scored 49 total touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons, the most by any player during that span. He broke the previous record of 47.