Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs said “nah, it’s not about that” when asked if he needs a new contract before returning to the field.
When asked what his absence is about, Gibbs offered a thoughtful “I don’t know” and said “only time will tell” about when we could first see him on the field. Despite Gibbs saying his absence isn’t contract-related, multiple reports have suggested it is the main reason he hasn’t taken the field in training camp. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Gibbs remained sidelined until he either received a new deal or at least made major progress in negotiating a new deal. Rapoport also said that talks between Gibbs and the Lions are “not as active” as the ones going on between the Falcons and Bijan Robinson, who is also holding in while awaiting a new deal. We will continue to monitor both situations until they are resolved, but it doesn’t sound like Gibbs is anywhere close to returning to the field at this time.