Jahmyr Gibbs Is Set for a Payday: What His Fifth-Year Option Means for the Lions
The Detroit Lions have spent the last two years quietly assembling a roster that doesn't just compete—it intimidates. And at the centre of that shift, both on the scoreboard and in the merchandise stands, is Jahmyr Gibbs. With the NFL's fifth-year option numbers now locked in for the 2023 first-round class, the front office's commitment to Gibbs isn't just a whisper out of Allen Park anymore; it's a financial certainty.
The Price of Explosiveness
Walk into any sports bar in Michigan on a Sunday, and you'll hear the same argument: running backs don't get second contracts. But Gibbs isn't a "running back" in the traditional sense—he's a chess piece. That's why the Lions are all but certain to pick up his fifth-year option for 2027, a figure that's expected to land just shy of $7 million for a player of his hybrid skill set. It's a bargain for a guy who can flip the field on any given touch, and it signals something bigger: Detroit wants Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch anchoring this team for the next decade.
From College Loyalty to Collectors' Gold
The business of Jahmyr Gibbs extends far beyond the salary cap. Spend five minutes scrolling through eBay or visit the pro shop at Ford Field, and you'll see the tangible proof of his star power. Fans who watched him torch SEC defences still rock their Nike Alabama Crimson Tide Jahmyr Gibbs #1 jersey on game day, but the real frenzy is around Lions-specific gear. The officially licensed Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery Dual Gamebreaker Bobblehead has become the white whale of NFC North memorabilia—move quickly if you see one at retail, because it won't last. For the serious collector, a Jahmyr Gibbs Detroit Lions autographed 2024 Riddell Speed Mini Helmet is the crown jewel, a piece that's already appreciating faster than most blue-chip stocks. And let's not forget the cardboard junkies: the 2023 Panini Donruss Football Bomb Squad Jahmyr Gibbs BS-26 rookie card is being pulled, graded, and flipped at a pace that mirrors the Lions' own rapid ascent.
Why You Pay the Man
I've covered this league long enough to know that paying a running back is usually a fool's errand. But Gibbs is different. He's a wide receiver trapped in a tailback's body, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (or whoever eventually takes that throne) uses him like a scalpel. Pair that with the thunder of David Montgomery, and you have a backfield that defensive coordinators openly dread. The Lions' braintrust—Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell—have been unambiguous: they want these guys around. Locking up Gibbs now, before the market resets again, isn't just smart football; it's smart business.
Here's a quick look at why Gibbs has become the hottest ticket in Motown:
- Jersey sales: The Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #1 is still a top seller in college bookstores, while his Lions jersey routinely cracks the NFL's top 20 among offensive skill players.
- Collectibles: The Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery Dual Gamebreaker Bobblehead is already a secondary-market darling, often listed at double its original price.
- Autographed gear: The 2024 Riddell Speed Mini Helmet, signed and certified, has become a staple at high-end sports auctions.
- Trading cards: The Panini Donruss Bomb Squad BS-26 is the rookie card every Detroit collector is hunting, with PSA 10 copies commanding serious premiums.
The Bottom Line
The NFL is a cold, calculated business. But every so often, a player comes along who forces teams to rip up the old playbook. Jahmyr Gibbs is that player. Whether it's the guaranteed money from his fifth-year option or the royalties from his skyrocketing merchandise, one thing is clear: Jahmyr Gibbs isn't just part of the Lions' future—he's the engine. And in Detroit, that engine just got a whole lot more expensive.