Detroit Lions coach on Jahmyr Gibbs: ‘We’re going to hang our hat on him’

The legendary "Sonic and Knuckles" backfield tandem that powered the Detroit Lions to 36 regular-season wins over the last three years has officially split. As the team pivots toward the 2026 season, the focus shifts entirely to the "Sonic" half of that equation: running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

A New Bell Cow

Lions coach Dan Campbell made his intentions clear regarding the former Alabama standout this week. "He’s going to be our bell cow now," Campbell said. "He really became more of that last year, but we’re going to hang our hat on him quite a bit. We’re going to do a lot of things we feel like he does well."

Campbell emphasized that Gibbs is far more than just a speed threat in space. "He can run everything that we’ve got. He can run every scheme that anybody’s ever run," Campbell noted. "He’s not just an outside runner. He’s not just a space runner. He can create his own space in the middle."

Transitioning the Backfield

Since his arrival as the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gibbs has shared the load with David Montgomery. That partnership proved remarkably productive, as both players landed among the seven NFL running backs to record at least 30 touchdowns since 2023. Statistically, Gibbs has tallied 3,580 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns alongside 1,449 receiving yards and 10 scores throughout his career.

However, the dynamic changed on March 2 when Detroit traded Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a package including a 2026 fourth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs. While Gibbs admits the transition felt "weird" at first, he is accustomed to heavy workloads from his football upbringing and remains in daily contact with his former teammate.

Looking Ahead

To bolster the rotation behind Gibbs, the Lions signed former Kansas City Chiefs back Isiah Pacheco. New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing plans to let the team's needs dictate the usage rate. "I think that’s going to be dictated a lot by the people around him and how all the pieces all fit together," Petzing said.

Gibbs, who finished seventh in the NFL with 320 touches last season, is currently focused on the field rather than his contract status. Although he has a four-year, $17.845 million deal—with the team already exercising a fifth-year option for 2027—the star running back is keeping his eyes on the game. "I’m just worried about the team and ball," Gibbs stated. "Yeah, I’m just trying to hoop right now."

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