Detroit Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have combined to create one of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL’s most dynamic duos since 2023. Montgomery recently praised Gibbs’s talent, saying,
“Jahmyr is if not now, will be the best running back in the league,”
underscoring the young player’s impressive rise. This endorsement highlights Gibbs’s growing influence in the league as the Lions prepare for the 2025 season.
Breakout Performances Fuel Lions’ Success
Over the past two seasons, Montgomery and Gibbs have pushed the Detroit Lions to new heights, helping the team secure consecutive NFC North championships and two playoff victories. While they have shared the workload, Gibbs led the team in rushing during the 2024 season, especially after Montgomery missed the final three regular-season games due to a torn MCL. Gibbs’s explosiveness was clear as he topped the Lions in rushing yards in ten games throughout that year.
The 2024 season saw Detroit finish with a remarkable 15-2 record. Gibbs achieved 1,412 rushing yards and scored 16 touchdowns, both league-leading numbers, while Montgomery contributed 775 yards and 12 touchdowns despite playing 14 games. Their combined efforts have made Detroit’s backfield a major offensive weapon.
Gibbs’s Rapid Rise and NFL Draft Context
Now entering his third NFL season, Jahmyr Gibbs has amassed over 2,000 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, already establishing himself among the top young runners in the league. Last season, he ranked fifth in rushing yards behind well-known stars Jonathan Taylor, Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry, and Saquon Barkley. While he remains just outside the elite ranking of Henry and Barkley, Gibbs is widely regarded as a top-five running back and is expected to improve further.
Gibbs shares his draft class spotlight with Bijan Robinson, the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick in 2023. Analysts believe that within two to three years, both players could dominate the league at their position, marking their draft year as one of the most talented for running backs in recent memory.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Lions and the NFL
The collaboration between Montgomery and Gibbs has already solidified the Detroit Lions as a formidable force in the NFL. With Gibbs’s rising star and Montgomery’s veteran presence, the Lions appear well-positioned for continued success in upcoming seasons. Should Gibbs maintain his performance and lead the Lions to a Super Bowl appearance, the conversation around him as the league’s best running back will gain even more momentum.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Detroit enters the next chapter of its offensive strategy under head coach Dan Campbell, whose philosophy continues to develop the team’s competitive edge.