Robinson, Gibbs skip camp seeking record RB deals
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- Bijan Robinson is not participating in the Atlanta Falcons' training camp ahead of his third season, following Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors and an NFL rushing title, as contract talks continue.
- Jahmyr Gibbs is absent from Detroit Lions' camp in his third season, remaining a hold-in while seeking a long-term deal despite being under contract through 2027.
- Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions both exercised the fifth-year options on their star running backs’ rookie contracts, securing them through the 2027 season.
- Saquon Barkley currently holds the NFL's highest-paid running back contract at $20.6 million in average annual value, a benchmark Robinson and Gibbs are expected to surpass.
- Bijan Robinson has amassed 5,648 all-purpose yards and 34 total touchdowns in his first three seasons, including leading the NFL in rushing and scrimmage yards last year.
- Jahmyr Gibbs has recorded 5,029 scrimmage yards and 49 total touchdowns in his first three seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors each year and recognition as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players.
- Dan Campbell stated there is no update on Gibbs’ contract extension, describing the situation as both sides working through negotiations without a resolution yet.
Why it matters: Robinson and Gibbs are leveraging their elite early-career production to reset the running back market, despite being under team control through 2027 — a rare challenge to the rookie contract system that could pressure teams to reward top-tier RBs earlier and more richly. The hold-ins signal that performance and market timing now outweigh contractual security for star backs.
