ClutchPoints
The Detroit Lions will be ready to make a statement during the 2026 NFL season. Detroit went back to their roots this offseason, fortifying the trenches on both sides of the ball. If the Lions can get another elite season out of their best offensive player, they will have a shot at winning the NFC North.
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs made a bold statement about his team after the conclusion of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday.
“The whole team is doing great. Like, we’re so far [ahead] of where we were last year at this time. Everybody’s playing fast,” Gibbs told ESPN. “Everybody knows what to do. It feels like we’re almost in season form.”
Gibbs had a breakout season in 2025. He logged 243 carries for 1,2223 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns. Gibbs also contributed 77 receptions for 616 receiving yards and five touchdowns through the air.
The superstar running back could be in for even more work this fall. Detroit sounds determined to feature Gibbs on offense, especially after trading away David Montgomery earlier this year.
Playing without Montgomery will be a big change for Gibbs. But the addition of Isiah Pacheco should help make up for his absence.
One big change comes at offensive coordinator. The Lions replaced John Morton with Drew Petzing, which should give the offense a new flavor in 2026. From the way Gibbs tells it, Petzing is already getting along swimmingly with Detroit’s offensive players.
“He’s smart. He’s demanding of us, but he knows we can do it,” Gibbs said. “He puts a lot on our plate, but like I said, he knows we can do it.”
Petzing will work closely with Dan Campbell, as well as passing game coordinator Mike Kafka, to get Detroit’s offense purring once more.
It will be exciting to see how the Lions perform during training camp later this summer.
The post Jahmyr Gibbs’ bold Lions declaration is warning shot to Bears, Packers appeared first on ClutchPoints.
