RB Jahmyr Gibbs must be next domino to fall for Lions following Jack Campbell extension

Per reports, Campbell signed a four-year extension, which will begin in 2027 and run through the 2030 season. The full dollar amount of the contract wasn't immediately reported, but it will be a win-win for both parties. Detroit declined Campbell's 2027 fifth-year option, which ESPN noted was $21.925M, earlier this offseason, so ensuring he remains with the organization for the next five years is a significant development. Campbell will also make good money — he wouldn't have signed otherwise — perhaps close to or surpassing the $20M mark. 

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner is the league's highest-paid off-ball linebacker at $21M annually, followed by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith ($20M). Last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Zack Baun, 29, to a three-year, $51M extension after he received 2024 first-team All-Pro honors. Campbell, the No. 18 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, is four years younger, which should put him closer to Warner and Smith's bracket.

Campbell might not be the only young Lions star approaching $20M per year on their next contract. Gibbs, 24, has been among the NFL's most dynamic backs since entering the league. Per Stathead research, his 49 touchdowns are the most since 2023, three more than Ravens running back Derrick Henry and five more than Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams.

The Rams have Williams, 25, locked in through 2028 at a bargain of $11M per year, while Henry, 32, is entering the first season of a two-year, $30M extension. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is the league's highest-paid running back, earning $20.6 per year, with 49ers back Christian McCaffrey directly behind him at $19M.

Earlier this offseason, Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane signed a four-year, $64M extension, setting a baseline for negotiations. And based on Gibbs' production, there's no reason he shouldn't push for McCaffrey or Barkley numbers.

Despite picking up his fifth-year option, Detroit should still have urgency to get a deal done considering Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is also extension-eligible. If he re-signs first, that could drive Gibbs' price up further.

The (several) million-dollar question is whether the Lions can fit these extensions — safety Brian Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta will also be needing second contracts — while paying wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, quarterback Jared Goff and offensive tackle Penei Sewell top dollar as well.

Detroit will need to rework Goff's contract with the 2016 No. 1 overall pick owning $62.6M and $69.6M cap hits in 2027 and 2028, respectively, per Over The Cap. But that's further down the road.

Ahead on the immediate horizon is Gibbs, whose price should only escalate from here. Signing Campbell is a nice start, but the Lions still have many more miles to go.