DAN CAMPBELL BACKS JAHMYR GIBBS CONTRACT TALKS AFTER ROBINSON DEAL

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Bijan Robinson's contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons will not harm negotiations with his own running back, Jahmyr Gibbs. Campbell made the statement during a press conference on Tuesday, 4 August, after Robinson signed a deal with Atlanta. "It's certainly not going to hurt," Campbell told reporters. "It'll get done when it gets done." Campbell also expressed his desire to see Gibbs return to full training camp participation, saying he felt the team missed time with the player each day he remained sidelined.

Gibbs, drafted by the Lions in the first round in 2023, is in his fourth year of his rookie contract and has staged a hold-in at training camp, attending meetings but refusing to participate in on-field practices pending a new agreement. Reports indicate the Lions exercised his fifth-year option in April, guaranteeing him $14.29 million for the 2027 season. According to NFL Network, negotiations between the two parties are active and there is no internal debate within the Lions organisation about whether Gibbs deserves an extension. One report valued Robinson's Atlanta deal at $75 million over three years at $22.25 million per year with $51 million guaranteed; another reported the contract at $66.75 million over three years. Both Robinson and Gibbs were first-round picks in 2023 and are seeking new contracts ahead of the 2026 season.

The Robinson extension sets a new financial benchmark for running backs in the league. Gibbs has recorded 3,580 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns across three regular seasons with the Lions. Campbell's comments suggest the Lions view Robinson's deal as supporting rather than complicating their position in talks with Gibbs, though the head coach did not specify when an agreement might be reached.