Pride of Detroit
After two impressive seasons, the best is yet to come for Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
For years, the Detroit Lions have needed help in the backfield, and the past two years have been some of the best we have seen, possibly since Barry Sanders was back there. The duo of Sonic and Knuckles, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, has been easily the best running back duo in the NFL. The backfield isn’t a one-man show, and both are happy to share the snaps with the other. They compete with each other and bring out the best in one another.
When the Lions drafted Gibbs back in 2023, it was a questionable move. Not just because of where he was picked in the first round, but the team already signed Montgomery in free agency. So the move seemed a little rich to take a first-round running back to get playing time when they signed a starting-level running back in Montgomery to do just that.
Well, we have seen just why general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell wanted Gibbs on the team to pair with Montgomery. In the first two seasons, we have seen Montgomery get the starts and Gibbs get just as much playing time as the 1B to Montgomery’s 1A, but I think the roles are about to flip this season.
Let me explain why I think not only could Gibbs be the new starter, but also he could become the best running back in the NFL this season.
Previous installments: RB Sione Vaki, WR Jameson Williams, TE Sam LaPorta, EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DT Brodric Martin, K Jake Bates
After an impressive rookie season where Gibbs was just 55 yards away from 1,000 rushing yards, the Lions wanted to see more out of speedy back. They were hoping to see what he could do with more carries and if he could expand his game in the receiving role.
Gibbs wasn’t ready yet to take over the starting job from Montgomery, but if he could improve from 2023, he could become the next starting running back. While it truly doesn’t matter who starts between Montgomery and Gibbs, it’s still important to see if Gibbs could turn from the 1B into the 1A, and carry the full load, if necessary
Note: Stats are regular season only unless otherwise stated
17 games (4 starts)
Stats: 250 carries for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns; 52 catches for 517 yards and four touchdowns.
PFF Offensive Grade: 88.5 (t-6th out of 57 qualifying RBs — minimum 69 carries)
PFF Run Grade: 90.7 (4th out of 57)
PFF Receiving Grade: 74.4 (t-12th out of 57)
Gibbs answered the call loudly for the Lions in 2024. While he had the same number of catches as in 2023, he scored three more touchdowns than the year before and got 201 more yards. His receiving game was an impressive part he improved upon,...
