Extremely speedy. Bodily. Detonative. These are merely a few of the adjectives that can characterize Detroit Lions standout running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
The change-of-pace running back emerged as Detroit’s most significant offensive asset in 2024. He improved upon his impressive rookie season and elevated his performance.
The Alabama prospect enhanced his ground presence, amassing over 1,000 rushing yards (1,412) for the first time in his career. Additionally, he increased his contributions as a pass-catcher. Although he recorded 52 catches for a second consecutive season, he raised his yards per reception (6.1 to 9.9) and total reception yards (316 to 517).
The versatile running back achieved this while sharing the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns and setting a Lions franchise record with 20 total TDs this season.
Moreover, he and David Montgomery have created one of the finest running back pairings in the league over the last two seasons. In 2024, the duo generated an impressive 2,187 yards and 28 touchdowns rushing.
Gibbs and Montgomery significantly contributed to Detroit’s running backs achieving 3,307 scrimmage yards and 32 scrimmage touchdowns this season. These figures placed first among all backfields in 2024. It also represented the first occasion in which an NFL team’s running backs totaled at least 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns from scrimmage since the 2006 Chargers.
While Montgomery performed well for the Lions in ’24, Gibbs outshone him and clearly proved during the final part of the season that he can handle the responsibilities from the backfield.
This became evident after Montgomery sustained a knee injury during Detroit’s Week 15 defeat against the Bills, causing him to miss the last three games of the regular season. In those three matches, Gibbs was extremely effective and delivered some of his finest performances of the season. The 2023 first-round selection achieved three straight games with over 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
He reserved his finest display for the Lions’ Week 18 matchup against the Vikings, a contest that Detroit had to win to claim the NFC North title and the top seed in the NFC. Gibbs went all over Minnesota in the division-clinching win, racking up 139 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Additionally, he contributed another 31 yards and a touchdown from five catches.
The dominant display nearly solidified Gibbs’ position as the Lions’ primary running back and the most dynamic element of their offense.
The remarkable runner subsequently continued his Week 18 performance with a strong showing in Detroit’s divisional-round playoff defeat against the Commanders. He carried the ball 14 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns, totaling a game-high of 175 all-purpose yards. Gibbs delivered an exceptional performance, overshadowing Montgomery’s return, which included seven carries for just 28 yards.
No disrespect to Montgomery or any of the Lions’ skilled pass-catchers (like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta), but Gibbs is clearly the team’s top current offensive asset. His abilities as a runner and pass-catcher are unparalleled by the other offensive players on Detroit’s roster.