The Gibbs Extension Game of Chicken Has Begun
Jack Campbell got his bag. Good. Now it’s time for the real fireworks. Brad Holmes is about to make Jahmyr Gibbs the highest-paid running back in the NFL, and honestly, it’s about damn time.
But here’s the wrinkle that makes this offseason chess match interesting. Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson is also sitting there waiting for his extension, and the Falcons probably think they’re going to make him the highest-paid back in the league too.
Someone has to blink first. The question is who.
Agent History Tells the Story
If you want to know when this gets done, look at the agents. Robinson’s rep, Nicole Lynn from Klutch Sports, has a track record of getting deals closed early in the offseason. March, April, that’s her window. She handles big names like Will Anderson, Quinnen Williams, Myles Garrett and Jalen Hurts, and she doesn’t mess around with late-summer drama.
Gibbs’ agent Todd France? Different animal entirely. This guy loves to push things right to the edge. Remember Dak Prescott’s deal getting done in September right before the season started? That was France. Derrick Henry’s extension with the Titans right before training camp? Also France.
The pattern is clear. Lynn gets it done early. France plays chicken with the calendar.
The Lions Want to Go First (But So Do the Falcons)
Detroit typically prefers to be the aggressor in these situations. Get your guy paid well, but not have to break the bank just to outbid someone else at the last second. It’s smart business from Holmes.
Problem is, Atlanta is probably thinking the exact same thing.
So we’ve got two teams that want to go first, one agent who works early, and another who works late. If I had to bet, this thing drags into August. Maybe longer.
Will Anyone Hold Out?
Neither Gibbs nor Robinson strikes you as the holdout type, but you never really know until the moment arrives. Money has a way of changing perspectives, and top-of-market running back deals involve serious life-changing cash.
The good news for Lions fans? Holmes has earned our trust in these situations. When he decides it’s time to pay someone, he pays them. And Gibbs has earned every dollar he’s about to get.
We just might have to wait until late summer to see it happen.
Think Holmes caves first and sets the market, or does he let Atlanta make the first move and then top it? Drop your prediction below.
