In his three NFL seasons, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has established himself as a dominant force, even while sharing carries with David Montgomery. Starting this Sunday, Gibbs steps into the role of the undisputed lead back for Detroit.
A single touchdown against the Saints in Week 1 at Ford Field will elevate Gibbs to the sixth member of the NFL’s exclusive 50-in-50 club.
The distinction requires accumulating fifty scrimmage touchdowns across just fifty career regular-season games.
According to NBC Sports research, only five players have previously achieved this feat: Jim Brown, Marcus Allen, Chuck Foreman, Larry Johnson, and Steve Van Buren.
Gibbs already holds the all-time record for total touchdowns within a player’s first three seasons, tallying 49. Considering his remarkable output and the expectations placed upon him, his new contract—valued at $22.5 million annually—could represent the most exceptional dollar-for-dollar value on a second NFL deal in league history.
His 2026 season debut is slated for a 1:00 p.m. ET window. In five days, the Lions will face the Bills on the newly installed turf at Buffalo’s brand-new stadium, offering Gibbs his first opportunity to showcase his talents as Detroit’s undisputed top tailback on a national broadcast stage.
