Brad Holmes Makes the Smart Call on Fifth-Year Options
The Lions had until May 1st to decide on fifth-year options for Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell, and Brad Holmes just showed exactly why he’s the best GM this franchise has ever had. According to Fox 2’s Dan Miller, Detroit is picking up Gibbs’ option while letting Campbell’s slide.
This is textbook cap management. Smart money decisions that keep both players happy while protecting the franchise’s financial flexibility.
Gibbs Gets His Payday, As He Should
The Lions are picking up Gibbs’ fifth-year option for the 2027 season at $14,293 million, fully guaranteed. This one was never really in doubt. Gibbs has been one of the best running backs in the NFL since getting drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and that price tag is more than reasonable for his production.
Here’s the key part: this doesn’t mean the Lions are kicking a long-term extension down the road. Teams routinely pick up affordable fifth-year options and still get extensions done. Expect Gibbs to become the highest-paid running back in NFL history before the season starts, because that’s what he’s earned.
The fifth-year option just gives Detroit more leverage in negotiations and ensures they have him locked up regardless.
Campbell’s Option Was a Trap, and Holmes Avoided It
Jack Campbell made the Pro Bowl, which sounds great until you realize it bumped his fifth-year option from $16 million to almost $22 million. That’s a massive, fully guaranteed cap hit for 2027 with zero flexibility to restructure.
Holmes said thanks but no thanks, and he’s absolutely right. This isn’t about not wanting to pay Campbell. The linebacker is still getting his market-setting deal, likely before the season starts. But now Detroit can structure that contract in a way that makes sense for both sides instead of getting handcuffed by a brutal option year.
For a team that has acknowledged financial constraints, this is exactly how you navigate the salary cap without shortchanging your players. Campbell gets paid, the Lions keep flexibility, and everyone wins.
Holmes just turned what could have been a $22 million headache into a negotiating opportunity. That’s why we trust this front office to handle business the right way.
Think Holmes played this perfectly or should he have just picked up both options and dealt with it later? Drop your take below.
