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The running back market keeps moving while Jahmyr Gibbs waits.
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a two-year, $44 million extension with Jonathan Taylor, according to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic. The deal can reach $47 million through incentives, giving Taylor a base average of $22 million per season in new money.
For the Detroit Lions, this is another contract Brad Holmes must account for as negotiations with Gibbs continue.
Taylor’s extension comes one day after Atlanta signed Bijan Robinson to a three-year deal worth $66.75 million before incentives. Robinson’s contract averages $22.25 million annually and includes $51 million guaranteed.
Taylor now lands just behind that annual figure despite entering the deal at age 27 and carrying a much heavier career workload than Gibbs.
That comparison only strengthens Gibbs’ position.
Detroit’s 24-year-old star has produced 5,029 yards from scrimmage and 49 touchdowns through his first three seasons. He is also expected to take over as the Lions’ full-time lead back after Dan Campbell declared him Detroit’s new bell cow.
The days of using Saquon Barkley’s $20.6 million average as the only meaningful benchmark are gone.
Robinson is at $22.25 million. Taylor is at $22 million. Gibbs will almost certainly want more.
Taylor’s contract is important because it shows teams are still willing to commit major money to established running backs approaching their late 20s.
Gibbs offers Detroit a different proposition.
The Lions would be paying for his prime rather than rewarding him after years of accumulated punishment. Gibbs has two seasons remaining under team control, including a fully guaranteed fifth-year option worth roughly $14.29 million in 2027.
That gives Holmes contractual leverage, but it also gives Detroit an opportunity to spread a large signing bonus across several seasons before the extension years begin.
A deal in the neighborhood of four years and $92 million would average $23 million annually, allowing Gibbs to surpass both Robinson and Taylor without pushing the market into a reckless new tier.
Gibbs remains present at the Lions’ facility but has not participated in training camp practices during his hold-in. Holmes confirmed this week that the two sides remain in dialogue, though he offered no indication that an agreement is close.
Each new running back contract reduces the uncertainty.
Detroit now knows the neighborhood. The question is whether the Lions are willing to place Gibbs at the top of it.
Taylor’s deal also illustrates the benefit of acting early. Indianapolis waited until the final year of his contract and still paid $22 million per season. Detroit can secure Gibbs two years earlier, lower his long-term risk and avoid another market jump next offseason.
Jonathan Taylor’s two-year, $44 million extension gives Jahmyr Gibbs another useful comparison in his negotiations with the Lions.
Taylor is older, has absorbed considerably more NFL contact and still received $22 million annually. Robinson received $22.25 million.
Gibbs now has a powerful case for at least $22.5 million per year, with $23 million becoming an increasingly reasonable target.
The market is no longer waiting for Detroit.
Brad Holmes knows the price. Now he has to decide whether to pay it.
Continue reading...
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a two-year, $44 million extension with Jonathan Taylor, according to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic. The deal can reach $47 million through incentives, giving Taylor a base average of $22 million per season in new money.
For the Detroit Lions, this is another contract Brad Holmes must account for as negotiations with Gibbs continue.
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Taylor Deal Reinforces the New Running Back Market
Taylor’s extension comes one day after Atlanta signed Bijan Robinson to a three-year deal worth $66.75 million before incentives. Robinson’s contract averages $22.25 million annually and includes $51 million guaranteed.
Taylor now lands just behind that annual figure despite entering the deal at age 27 and carrying a much heavier career workload than Gibbs.
That comparison only strengthens Gibbs’ position.
Detroit’s 24-year-old star has produced 5,029 yards from scrimmage and 49 touchdowns through his first three seasons. He is also expected to take over as the Lions’ full-time lead back after Dan Campbell declared him Detroit’s new bell cow.
The days of using Saquon Barkley’s $20.6 million average as the only meaningful benchmark are gone.
Robinson is at $22.25 million. Taylor is at $22 million. Gibbs will almost certainly want more.
Gibbs Has a Stronger Age Argument
Taylor’s contract is important because it shows teams are still willing to commit major money to established running backs approaching their late 20s.
Gibbs offers Detroit a different proposition.
The Lions would be paying for his prime rather than rewarding him after years of accumulated punishment. Gibbs has two seasons remaining under team control, including a fully guaranteed fifth-year option worth roughly $14.29 million in 2027.
That gives Holmes contractual leverage, but it also gives Detroit an opportunity to spread a large signing bonus across several seasons before the extension years begin.
A deal in the neighborhood of four years and $92 million would average $23 million annually, allowing Gibbs to surpass both Robinson and Taylor without pushing the market into a reckless new tier.
Pressure Builds on Brad Holmes
Gibbs remains present at the Lions’ facility but has not participated in training camp practices during his hold-in. Holmes confirmed this week that the two sides remain in dialogue, though he offered no indication that an agreement is close.
Each new running back contract reduces the uncertainty.
Detroit now knows the neighborhood. The question is whether the Lions are willing to place Gibbs at the top of it.
Taylor’s deal also illustrates the benefit of acting early. Indianapolis waited until the final year of his contract and still paid $22 million per season. Detroit can secure Gibbs two years earlier, lower his long-term risk and avoid another market jump next offseason.
You must be registered for see images attach
Bottom Line
Jonathan Taylor’s two-year, $44 million extension gives Jahmyr Gibbs another useful comparison in his negotiations with the Lions.
Taylor is older, has absorbed considerably more NFL contact and still received $22 million annually. Robinson received $22.25 million.
Gibbs now has a powerful case for at least $22.5 million per year, with $23 million becoming an increasingly reasonable target.
The market is no longer waiting for Detroit.
Brad Holmes knows the price. Now he has to decide whether to pay it.
Continue reading...
