Gibbs: Absence ‘not about’ a new contract

Gibbs scored twice today, bringing his career touchdown total up to 57, breaking the NFL record set by former Lions RB Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns scored by a player under 25 years old. The exceptionally talented player gets a boost from his sharp coaching staff, who continue to maximize Gibbs’ strengths. OC Drew Petzing dialed up a trick-play screen pass for Gibbs after the two-minute warning, in which Gibbs took the handoff, pitched it to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who pitched it back to Jared Goff, who then chucked it back to Gibbs with three offensive linemen in front of him on the left side of the field. An 18-yard gain ensued. Gibbs later produced a season-long 22-yard run. Although he scored two touchdowns today, he could have had a third. On the Lions’ ninth drive, Gibbs got two chances from the one-yard line on the ninth drive before the coaching staff greenlit a successful QB sneak for Goff. The Lions are on bye in Week 6, but he returns to the top of the running back ranks against the Packers in Week 7.

Gibbs had eclipsed 100 combined yards against all three opponents to start the season before the Panthers held him largely in check, with fantasy’s top asset cashing in on a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter to avoid a disastrous outing. The two teams were knotted at 16 entering the half but it was the Panthers that dictated terms following the break, winning the time of possession battle by over six minutes. Gibbs maintained an elite workload by seeing all but two backfield opportunities and every available carry on the evening, keeping his fantasy value sky-high ahead of a potential shootout against the Cardinals in Week 5.

Per usual, Gibbs was dynamic with the ball in his hands, making defenders miss at will while racking up 27 touches. He put an exclamation point on the game with an 11-yard touchdown grab that eventually gave Detroit the win. He’s already up to six touchdowns this year and has no fewer than five catches and 113 yards from scrimmage in his three appearances. With the ability to crush on the ground and through the air, Gibbs is an unstoppable fantasy force. He remains the RB1 overall heading into his Week 4 date with the Panthers.

Gibbs was effectively the entire game plan out of the gates, scoring the team’s only first-half touchdown from 11 yards out in the second quarter. He would be used far less after the break as the Lions attempted to come back from multiple 17-point deficits, although the six receptions on eight targets and a touchdown through the air helped push his counting stats into clear RB1 territory for the second consecutive week to start the season. Fantasy managers that were lucky enough to secure the 1.01 in drafts this offseason are sure to be content with the early returns. Gibbs will once again be an elite fantasy option when the Lions host the Jets in Week 3.

As expected, the Lions elevated Gibbs to a true workhorse role sans David Montgomery and he never looked back. He ceded a grand total of three touches to backup Sione Vaki. Gibbs logged career highs in touches and carries. Despite this, Gibbs still cruised past 5.4 yards per carry, consistently gashing the Saints for chunk gains. To no one’s surprise, Gibbs is the runaway favorite to be the RB1 overall this year. He will hold that spot in the Week 2 rankings when he takes on Buffalo.

The Lions are retaining “all” of last year’s play-calling verbiage, and “it was on Drew Petzing to learn the offense,” not the other way around. Goff apparently “had as much of a hand in getting Petzing familiar with the offense as the offensive staff did.” Mays believes these developments speak to the command, agency and autonomy that Goff possesses at this stage in his career. We agree. For those who were concerned about the Lions scrapping the tactics that coach Dan Campbell employed as the Lions’ play caller in Weeks 10-18 last year, it sounds like those concepts aren’t going anywhere. Will Petzing be allowed to add his own elements to that playbook? Yes, we assume so. At the end of the day, this year’s offense could look a lot like last year’s fantasy-friendly unit, though. Draft accordingly.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the contract could be worth up to $75.75 million and includes $51.5 million guaranteed. The deal averages $22.5 million per year, resetting the running back market. The Lions’ bell cow back enters his age-24 season firmly in play for fantasy football’s overall RB1 spot.

Gibbs made a brief appearance at practice today. When Lions reporter Dave Birkett asked him if a deal was close, Gibbs gave a thumbs-up before heading into the indoor practice facility. The deal might not be officially signed yet, but it sounds like that should happen any day now. With the hold-in over and a contract in sight, Gibbs remains the 1.01 in early fantasy drafts.

According to Lions reporter Dave Birkett, Gibbs is in uniform “taking reps during the walk/through portion” of practice. He later stepped aside to work with trainers while individual drills were going on. Gibbs has already denied that he was missing practice because of his contract talks, but it’s hard to believe him on that front. His return to practice could mean that he and the Lions have reached an agreement on a new contract. Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor inked new contracts this week, making Gibbs the last domino to fall. All signs point toward a deal being announced in the very near future.

Rapoport adds that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Gibbs isn’t at practice until they get real significant progress on a contract extension. Gibbs has passed his conditioning test but is currently a hold-in. Rapoport adds that “it would make sense” for Robinson to get the first contract of the two, but concedes that “it’s safe to say it’s up in the air right now.”