• Fri. Feb 14th, 2025

Lions’ Achievement Leading to Significant Offseason Change Across the NFL

ByGbemiro Timmy

Jan 28, 2025

The Detroit Lions’ playoff journey didn’t unfold as expected, but that doesn’t imply the 2024 season was a disappointment.

 

Ultimately, the Lions executed many things correctly this season, particularly regarding the backfield. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery alternated in overwhelming rival defenses during the season, leading to Detroit averaging 146.4 rushing yards per game (6th) and 4.7 yards per carry (T-6th).

 

The Lions demonstrated that including two RB1-level runners on the team is a feasible choice. As expected, it appears that the other teams in the NFL are attempting to imitate the success of Dan Campbell and his team this offseason.

 

Lions Speculations: NFL Teams Looking to Imitate Detroit’s Running Back Approach

On Monday, Jim Nagy, the executive director of Reese’s Senior Bowl, announced that the Lions’ duo of Gibbs and Montgomery has motivated many in the league to emulate the latter’s example.

“Nagy mentioned that everyone in the NFL aspires to reach the level Detroit is at,” (h/t The Draft Network).

Several individuals were surprised when the Lions selected Gibbs with the 12th pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Selecting an RB early in Round 1 can occasionally backfire for a team, and some Detroit fans worried whether the franchise would end up regretting its choice.

 

In just two seasons, Gibbs was able to silence any skeptics.

 

The ex-Alabama athlete led the NFL in 2024 with 20 scrimmage touchdowns, converting 250 carries for 1,412 rushing yards and 52 catches for 517 receiving yards. Only Saquon Barkley (2,283) and Derrick Henry (2,114) achieved more scrimmage yards than Gibbs (1,929), solidifying his status as one of the top RBs in the league.

Moreover, the 22-year-old star received a second straight Pro Bowl selection for his performance.

 

Gibbs also gained from having Montgomery assist him in taking a break when necessary. The seasoned running back excelled in his second year in the Motor City, surpassing 1,000 scrimmage yards for the sixth consecutive season while scoring 12 touchdowns in 14 games.

 

Following the signing of the veteran RB to an $18.25 million extension in October, the Lions can relax, knowing that both Montgomery and Gibbs have contracts in place through 2027 (if they agree to the latter’s fifth-year option). Unless there is a significant decline, the dynamic pair will guarantee that Detroit maintains one of the top backfields for the foreseeable future.

In the interim, it will be unveiled whether any other franchise can effectively adhere to Detroit’s model. Only a handful of teams possess a single game-changing RB on their roster, much less two.

 

Imitating someone is the truest way to show admiration, and the Lions ought to feel proud that the league sees their team-building strategy as a blueprint for achievement.

 

 

 

 

 

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