Bijan Robinson's Record Contract Means Jahmyr Gibbs Is About to Get Paid

It took awhile for the Atlanta Falcons and superstar running back Bijan Robinson to work out a new contract extension.

On Tuesday morning, the Falcons and Robinson finalized a three-year extension worth up to $75 million that will make him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Robinson will receive a record $51 million guaranteed, including $37 million at signing.

Robinson is one of Atlanta’s best players. In Kevin Stefanski’s first year coaching the team, the 24-year-old can expect a massive workload.

But this contract extension also opens the door for other young, elite running backs to secure major extensions as cornerstone pieces with their respective organizations. And that should be great news for Jahmyr Gibbs, who is owed a huge pay increase from the Detroit Lions following today’s news.

Jahmyr Gibbs is going to get paid

Robsinson was selected No. 8 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Gibbs went four spots later, No. 12 overall to the Lions.

Now that Robinson has put pen to paper on an extension, Gibbs should be next, as he’s been just as successful as Robinson during their first three seasons in the NFL. Really, you could make an argument that Gibbs has been more impactful, as the young running back was part of the reason why the Lions were able to make some postseason noise during his first two seasons in the NFL.

Robinson has 805 rushing attempts for 3,910 yards and 25 touchdowns. He’s also caught 198 passes for an additional 1,738 yards and four more touchdowns. Gibbs has 675 rushing attempts for 3,580 yards and 39 rushing touchdowns. He’s caught 181 passes for another 1,449 yards and 10 additional touchdowns.

Even though Detroit’s offense has produced better results than Atlanta’s, these are two of the game’s brightest backs. But you could also understand why Gibbs’ representatives will want to reset the market after this Robinson extension, as he’s scored more touchdowns, which is the name of the game in the modern NFL.

The Lions moved on from David Montgomery, who was co-starring with Gibbs in Detroit’s backfield these last few seasons. If Gibbs is going to take that bell cow responsibility in Detroit's new offense, his agents are going to want a big pay day prior to Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints.

In a loaded division with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, the Lions can’t afford to take a step backwards in 2026. They can’t allow Gibbs to have another dominant season before getting in front of this contract extension.