Detroit Lions make decision on 5th-year option for Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell

TL;DR

The Detroit Lions will activate the fifth-year option for running back Jahmyr Gibbs but decline it for linebacker Jack Campbell. The decision is based on the differing costs associated with each player's position.

Key points

Lions activate Jahmyr Gibbs' fifth-year option
Lions decline Jack Campbell's fifth-year option
Gibbs' option costs $14.3 million
Campbell's option would cost $21.9 million
Lions aim to keep all 2023 draft picks

Detroit LionsJahmyr GibbsJack Campbell

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 2: Jahmyr Gibbs #0 of the Detroit Lions smiles during a Pro Bowl team practice during the NFL Pro Bowl Games at Moscone Center South on February 2, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images) | Getty Images On Saturday night, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the team had not yet made a final decision on the fifth-year options for running back Jamir Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell. But it appears that decision has now been made. According to FOX 2’s Dan Miller, the Detroit Lions will be activating Gibbs fifth-year option, but they will decline Campbell’s option. While the team intends to keep both players around long term, the difference in decisions comes down to how the fifth-year option is calculated for each player. Your options are set based on position, player, production, and the salary cap figure. For Gibbs, it’s pretty straightforward, as all running backs are categorized together. But for Campbell, linebackers are lumped in with outside linebackers, which include one of the highest-paid positions: edge defenders. In short, Gibbs’ fifth-year option will cost the team $14.3 million on a one-year, fully guaranteed deal. That is a reasonable figure for a top-tier running back. Campbell’s fifth-year option would have cost $21.9 million, more than even the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the league. But the Lions have said time and time again this offseason that the intention is to keep all of their first four draft picks from the 2023 class: Gibbs, Campbell, , and . So don’t be surprised if most—if not all—four players agree to extensions this year. It just may be a little more complicated for Campbell, given the odd fifth-year option loophole.

Q&A

Why did the Detroit Lions activate Jahmyr Gibbs' fifth-year option?

The Lions activated Gibbs' fifth-year option because it costs $14.3 million, a reasonable figure for a top-tier running back.

What was the cost of Jack Campbell's fifth-year option for the Lions?

Jack Campbell's fifth-year option would have cost the Lions $21.9 million, which is significantly higher than Gibbs' option.

What are the implications of the Lions declining Campbell's fifth-year option?

Declining Campbell's option indicates potential complications in extending his contract, despite the team's intention to keep all four 2023 draft picks.