The Detroit Lions have a major decision looming with star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and a recent $68 million deal for another NFC running back has set the stage for what could be a record-breaking extension.

Gibbs, the electric playmaker out of Alabama, has been nothing short of sensational through his first three seasons. Coming off a dominant 2025 campaign where he racked up 1,223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while adding 77 catches for 616 yards and five more scores through the air, the 24-year-old has firmly established himself among the NFL's elite at the position.

The contract landscape for running backs shifted dramatically on Thursday when the Miami Dolphins locked up their star back, De'Von Achane, to a four-year, $68 million extension with $32 million guaranteed. That deal makes Achane the third-highest-paid running back at $17 million per year, trailing only Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million) and Christian McCaffrey ($19 million).

For Lions fans, this news sets a clear market value—and Gibbs is expected to command even more. With David Montgomery now out of the picture, the 2023 first-round pick is poised to take his game to another level in 2026, and Detroit knows they need to act before the season kicks off.

The question isn't whether Gibbs will break the bank—it's whether he'll surpass Barkley to become the highest-paid running back in football. Given his production and the Lions' need for a true offensive cornerstone, a deal north of $17 million per year seems all but certain.