ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Jahmyr Gibbs feels relieved after inking his new three-year, $67.5 million contract and is ready to put the ordeal behind him and focus on football, the Detroit Lions Pro Bowl running back said Friday.
"This process has been extremely stressful. I just wanted to play ball," Gibbs said. "I missed being out there with my teammates and coaches and it's just fun being out there now with my pads and stuff on. It just feels a lot better.
"It was really hard, but it's a business and stuff is just gotta get done. But, yeah, it was really hard."
Gibbs, 24, officially signed his new contract Friday morning, ending his hold-in in which he reported to the Lions' facility but sat out for six consecutive practices while waiting for a new contract. The deal could be worth up to $75.75 million and includes $51.5 million guaranteed, according to his agent Todd France of Athletes First, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
Gibbs was on the field for his second straight day of practice in uniform Friday, but on a limited basis, and he didn't participate in full team drills again. With deals done for Colts' Jonathan Taylor and Falcons' Bijan Robinson after hold-ins to avoid fines, Gibbs takes pride that the current group has successfully reset the running back market.
Robinson's extension is for three years and $66.75 million and could be worth up to $75 million (including $51 million guaranteed at signing). Taylor's deal has a maximum value of $47 million and includes $39 million guaranteed -- the third-largest deal for a running back in NFL history.
"Yeah, we want to open the gates for the younger generation and show them the pathway of being able to do as such," Gibbs said. "Like for example, be an every-down back, being able to pass protect, catch and just be explosive. You don't want the team to have to take you off the field."
After signing, Gibbs said he received congratulatory messages from Taylor and Robinson as well as other star running backs such as Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, David Montgomery, James Cook and former NFL running back Anthony Thomas.
"They always show love. As always, we're all in this together," Gibbs said.
Lions All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell, who was also drafted by Detroit in 2023, was excited to see Gibbs return to the field this week, but also knows it'll make his job much tougher to try to contain him during camp once he ramps up.
"Is it nice? I don't know. For me, I saw him back out there. I was like, 'Gosh, now I've got to go one-on-ones against him in the routes,' but naw, it's good to have Jah back," Campbell said Thursday. "You know what he is. You know what he does for the team. He's electric."
As first-year Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing also worked to implement his new system while Gibbs was continuing his hold-in process, Petzing said he's not concerned about Gibbs being able to adjust once he fully returns.
"He's one of our best players," Petzing said ahead of Thursday's practice. "We always want him out there, but I know he's going to be ready when the moment comes."
Petzing has continued to communicate with Gibbs frequently, and they've developed a working relationship by talking through practice reps and different ideas. He has also used the time without Gibbs to adapt and give other guys chances, such as running backs Jacob Saylors and Isiah Pacheco to find a groove.
"I think that's a small piece of it but for a guy that's played at such a high level, I think his skill set is very obvious," Petzing said. "I think we know what that's going to look like when he gets a feel for it. "So, it's not something we're particularly worried about. I think we can work on those things even when he's not on the field and would expect us to pick back up right where he left off when he gets back."