After a promising rookie season from a rushing standpoint, the Detroit Lions are hoping running back Jahmyr Gibbs can establish himself as more of a passing threat this season.
"Now what we need him to do from a passing game standpoint is go to the next level," running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said, 97.1 The Ticket (h/t Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper). "I do think there's a certain difference between being a really efficient check-down versus a great route-runner, a guy that can run all types of choice. We know we've seen him do those things. But now can you go into the slot and a little bit more down the field, some intermediate stuff. Can we continue to grow him there, and that's what we're trying to do."
Gibbs, the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Alabama, had 945 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground last season while picking up 316 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air.
Gibbs showed promise as a receiver in college, collecting more than 400 yards in each of his final two seasons and finding the endzone through the air three times in 2022. He had 52 receptions and averaged 6.1 yards per reception last year as he was mostly used as a relief option for Jared Goff when other receivers were covered downfield.
Getting Gibbs to the next level as a receiver could take designing specific routes for him rather than having him hang around the line of scrimmage as a safety net. Some of the best running backs in the league like San Francisco 49ers' Christian McCaffrey have made themselves invaluable by being a passing threat, and Gibbs could do the same.
The Lions boasted one of the best offenses in the NFL last season thanks to Gibbs' solid running game and valuable receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown. It led to their first divisional title since 1993 and their first NFC Championship appearance since 1991.
Taking the next step and reaching their first Super Bowl in franchise history could start with developing Gibbs as a major threat through the air this season.
