Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs breaks silence on hold-in; fans won't like his comments

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs missed his fifth consecutive practice on Monday as part of his hold-in. It won't be his last. 

Reporters spoke with Gibbs, who has two years remaining on his rookie deal, as he left the locker room alongside security. His comments made it clear that both parties remain far apart in contract negotiations.

Jahmyr Gibbs breaks silence on contract situation 

When asked when he would return to practice, Gibbs said, "Only time will tell," via ESPN's Eric Woodyard. 

Gibbs and the Lions are working on a contract extension that would keep him in Detroit. Head coach Dan Campbell recently said he's not "even sweating" the deal but refused to say what the sticking point is. Neither did the RB. 

Gibbs said, "It's not about that," when asked if he needs a new deal before the beginning of the regular season. He continued to refuse to elaborate when pressed further. 

"What I'm ... aiming towards? Ah, I don't know," Gibbs said. 

Perhaps reporters caught Gibbs in a surly mood. The RB may be growing agitated that negotiations with the team remain in neutral, and he wants Detroit to pay up sooner rather than later. 

Spotrac estimates an extension for Gibbs would be for three years and worth $20.2M annually, No. 1 among RBs. However, anyone who's familiar with positional value knows paying a back top dollar carries more risk than other positions. 

RBs tend to decline as they age due to the nature of the position, meaning many are much less productive on their second contracts. Take former Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott, for example. 

The fourth pick of the 2016 NFL Draft averaged 101.2 rushing yards per game in his first three seasons. His numbers plummeted after signing a six-year, $90M contract just before the 2019 season. Over his next four seasons, he recorded 66.9 rushing YPG.

The Cowboys released Elliott following the 2022 season. He played one season for the New England Patriots before returning to the Cowboys in 2024. They cut him again after he ran for 226 yards in 15 games for the team. He remains unsigned. 

Now, Gibbs may not be destined to regress, as Elliott did. Like many modern backs, he's become an adept pass-catcher, which could increase his longevity. He ranked third on the Lions in receiving yards (616 in 17 games) last season. 

Gibbs also split carries with RB David Montgomery (now with the Houston Texans) during his first three seasons, and thus, has less tread on the tires. Gibbs had 675 carries in his first three seasons, while Elliott had 868. 

More importantly for the Lions, the value Gibbs brings to their offense may outweigh the concerns about positional value. 

"He's the best and means a lot to this offense," Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams said Sunday. "When No. 0 gets on the field, it's game-changing for us. To me, he's unstoppable. I love playing with him and watching him. He has one of the best games I've ever seen." 

The Lions want to keep Gibbs to ensure their Super Bowl window remains open, so they should show him the money, even if it comes with some risks. Plus, if the Lions don't act soon, the Atlanta Falcons may. Like Gibbs, Falcons fourth-year RB Bijan Robinson has been holding in at training camp. Gibbs would be in an even worse mood than he was on Monday if Robinson were to get paid before him.