The Detroit Lions are lucky to have an All-Pro-caliber running back in Jahmyr Gibbs to give their offense the boost they need to compete with the best of the best in the NFL. New running backs coach Tashard Choice believes that fans have yet to see what a true game-change Gibbs can be in the pros.
Choice, who was recently hired as the Lions' running back coach after Scottie Montgomery was moved to wide receivers coach in the offseason, coached Gibbs in college at Georgia Tech. Reunited in the pros, Choice wants Detroit's dynamic dignitary to get even better after his electric 2024 campaign.
"For him, the sky is the limit," Choice said, via the team's official website. "I'm going to push him. I'm going to push him like no other. I have to. "To see him progress, to see how smart he is...I tell him he's one of the smartest running backs I've ever coached. He's just a natural football player...so having an opportunity to get around him now coaching, I'm going to be harder on him even more."
If Gibbs builds on what we saw last year, which could come via an increased workload and improvements made to his already league-best rushing efficiency, it would surprise no one if he ends up taking home an Offensive Player of the Year award.
Lions coach challenges Jahmyr Gibbs to be even better in 2025
Gibbs has split carries with David Montgomery over the last few years, as the rest of the league has felt the full force of the "Sonic and Knuckles" duo. However, Gibbs is starting to emerge as the much more explosive member of the duo, so much so that Detroit may not be best served divvying up the carries.
Gibbs ran for 1,400 and led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns last year, and he did that in an offense that gave him just under 15 carries per game. Imagine what he could do with a Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry-like workload this season. Backs with a 5.6 yards per carry average on his volume don't grow on trees.
2025 may be the true test of how good Gibbs can be. Two high-end run blockers in center Frank Ragnow and right guard Kevin Zeitler left the team. John Morton replaced Ben Johnson as offensive coordinator, and his coaching history focuses more on creating skilled passing offenses than good rushing attacks.
Gibbs' biggest competition for the award at this point is Barkley, fresh off his 2,000-yard season and ready to run it back with an elite Eagles offensive line. Gibbs must also watch out for a wide receiver like Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson blowing up.
If Gibbs thrives in this offense, the two-man running back tier of Barkley and Henry may have a third member join the fray.
