Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs Delivers Positive Outlook for 2026 NFL Season

The Detroit Lions failed to live up to expectations in their 2025 NFL campaign, finishing the regular season with a 9-8 record and missing the playoffs.

But as the Lions gear up for a bounce-back season in 2026, superstar running back Jahmyr Gibbs is happy with what he’s seeing from his team.

When the Lions wrapped up their offseason program on Wednesday, Gibbs said the team is way ahead of schedule compared to where they were at this time last season.

“The whole team is doing great. Like, we’re so far [ahead] of where we were last year at this time. Everybody’s playing fast,” Gibbs said, via ESPN. “Everybody knows what to do. It feels like we’re almost in season form.”

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Gibbs has been one of the best running backs in the league since his arrival as the Lions’ No. 12 overall draft pick in 2023. Through 49 game appearances in his first three NFL seasons, the former Alabama standout has recorded 3,580 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns, 1,449 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.

The Lions enter the 2026 NFL season with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

“He’s smart. He’s demanding of us, but he knows we can do it,” Gibbs said of Petzing. “He puts a lot on our plate, but like I said, he knows we can do it.”

The Lions will begin their 2026 regular-season schedule with a Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 13.

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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 2:44 PM.