Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, two of the league’s top running backs, were both gunning for a monster $25 million in new-money APY on their latest contracts. That’s the dream number, folks, a figure that apparently only hits if they unlock their absolute full upside packages. Seriously, $25 million is eye-popping for a running back in today’s NFL.
Bijan Robinson’s Deal Set the Floor, Not the Ceiling
The Atlanta Falcons made their move first, laying down the marker for Bijan Robinson. They hooked him up with a deal packing a value of $22.25 million per year. Let that sink in. Over the full five years of his deal, that averages out to $16.36 million annually. It’s a huge chunk of change, absolutely, but it also immediately set the bar for the next big running back negotiation. The question then became, would anyone be able to jump *way* over that to hit the coveted $25 million, or was this the new reality for top-tier RBs? It felt like a moment where the league was watching to see just how much teams were willing to commit upfront for the position.
Jahmyr Gibbs Lands a “Slight Bump” But Not the Big One
With Robinson’s deal out there, the Detroit Lions weren’t exactly in a hurry to open the vault even wider for Jahmyr Gibbs. While Gibbs got a “slight bump” over Robinson, it wasn’t the kind of earth-shattering difference some might have hoped for. His new contract is a three-year, $67.5 million agreement. Now, when you factor in his existing $17.476 million, the total contract value balloons to a massive five-year, $84.976 million. That’s a boatload of cash! But, and this is where the rubber meets the road, the per-year average *from signing* actually comes in at $16.99 million. It’s a bit more than Robinson’s average, for sure, but still a solid distance from that $25 million target both players were chasing. We saw this whole “hold-in” situation play out, and you know how it goes: eventually, the season clock starts ticking. Both the team and the player *need* Gibbs ready to roll. Interestingly, Gibbs actually had more “old money” in his previous deal, which probably factored into how this played out.
What’s Next for the Game’s Elite RBs?
So, the ink is dry, and these two phenomenal running backs have their contracts. They got paid handsomely, no doubt about it. But the real story emerging here is the gap between the $25 million dream and the actual signed numbers, with that “full upside package” being the key to closing it. For both Robinson and Gibbs, the focus immediately shifts to the field. With the season underway, every carry, every catch, and every touchdown now directly impacts whether they can hit those lucrative upside clauses. The pressure is on to prove they’re worth every penny, and then some, to reach that original monster goal.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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