Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the most dynamic, exciting players in the NFL, and he is primed to win the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award this season. The fourth-year running back out of the University of Alabama is already off to an historic start to his career. Gibbs’ 49 total touchdowns are the most of any player in NFL history through a player’s first three seasons. This kind of offensive production is what will help propel Gibbs to his first AP Offensive Player of the Year award.
Off-Season Moves Help Set Up Jahmyr Gibbs For A Breakout Season
Gibbs saw his production dip slightly in 2025 compared to the previous season. In 2024, Gibbs put up 1,412 rushing yards on 250 attempts with 16 touchdowns on the ground. He bolstered that stat line with 517 receiving yards and 4 more TDs, thanks in large part to then-offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
After Johnson left to take the Bears HC job in 2025, Gibbs saw a marginal dip in his stats. This also had a lot to do with the number of injuries that hit the Lions hard throughout 2025. Even though Gibbs remained healthy, his offensive line could not say the same. That O-line had several other issues, among them the age of the starters and their lack of athleticism.
To cope with these challenges, the Lions made several key moves that should put Jahmyr Gibbs in a much better situation going into the 2026-27 season. First, the Lions moved their All-Pro tackle, Penei Sewell, from right tackle to left tackle so he’s now able to watch Jared Goff’s blind side. The Lions also signed a couple of veterans to bolster the line, namely Cade Mays at center and Larry Borom at guard. With these key changes, look for the Lions to pound the run game behind a younger, more athletic front five.
Jahmyr Gibbs Seeks 2000 Scrimmage Yards For First Time In His Career
Gibbs has come so close to 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season that it feels like just a matter of time before he climbs that summit. In 2024, Gibbs fell just short with 1,929 total yards from scrimmage.
There is precedent for a running back winning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. Unlike the NFL’s MVP race, which has been won by a quarterback for the past 13 seasons, two of the last three Offensive Player of the Year awards have gone to running backs. Christian McCaffrey won the award in 2023, while Saquon Barkley won in 2024, thus paving the way for Gibbs in 2026.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ statistics the past two seasons are strikingly similar to McCaffrey and Barkley. In fact, Gibbs averaged 6.4 yards per touch (Y/Tch) in 2024 compared to Barkley, who averaged 6.0 Y/Tch. Gibbs also bested Barkley in total touchdowns with 20 compared to Barkley’s 15.
The Lions’ schedule sets up favorably to start the season for big rushing numbers from Gibbs. They play the Bills, Jets, Saints, and Cardinals – all of whom ranked in the bottom half of the league in defensive rushing yards per game.
If Gibbs can get off to a hot start and the Lions can regroup from a down year, the sky is the limit, for both the Lions and Gibbs. 2,000 total scrimmage yards and the Offensive Player of the Year award might be just the beginning of a magical 2026 campaign in Detroit.
