RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 25: Jahmyr Gibbs #0 of the Detroit Lions warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As Jahmyr Gibbs enters Day 2 of his hold-in in the hopes of a new contract, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell isn’t too worried about it. When peppered with questions about Gibbs’ status with the team, Campbell downplayed any drama between him and the star running back.
“You guys know how I feel about—how we feel about—Gibbs and what the team feels about him. I’ll leave it at that,” Campbell said. “My job is to coach who’s out there right now. I love the kid, but I’ve got a team to coach right now. And, listen, whatever all this—at some point, it’ll all get done. It’s going to get done. I’m not even sweating it.”
Gibbs is still under contract for two years—the 2026 season and his already-exercised fifth-year option for 2027. But this is typically when players drafted under this regime begin discussions with management on an extension. Gibbs’ draftmate, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, is executing a similar sit-in over in Atlanta right now.
Campbell showed compassion for Gibbs and his pursuit of a new contract, but he also admitted he thought the deal would be done by now. He joked that calling him the “bell-cow” back in the spring may have set back negotiations.
“I shouldn’t have said bell cow, I guess, right? ‘Hey, well, coach said bell cow.’ Honestly, I didn’t even think twice about it. I didn’t think it would be—I really didn’t. I didn’t,” Campbell said. “I thought we’d have been done by now, but I also know how this goes. I’ve been in this league a long time, player and a coach. So know how it goes. I’m not sweating it.”
As for when they’ll see Gibbs back on the field, Campbell didn’t have a timeline. He also said he didn’t have clarity on whether Gibbs would continue his hold-in even if the team doesn’t come to an agreement. But, still, there appears to be very little concern about that.
In the meantime, Campbell talked about the silver lining in the running back room. Gibbs’ absences allow the opportunity to get free agent signing Isiah Pacheco some much-needed reps to learn the offensive system. It allows Sione Vaki to get the running back snaps he’s desperately needed since making the transition from safety. And it also bumps up depth players like Jacob Saylors, Jabari Small, and Kye Robichaux.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Campbell said. “And, look, it’s one of the reasons we got Pacheco. This is extra reps for ‘Pop’ with us just within our system. So that’s awesome. Vaki gets these reps, Saylors, Small, Robichaux. But, yes, to answer your question, it’s great. It’s a great opportunity for him; it gives him more reps.”
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