When the Detroit Lions selected Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, expectations were sky-high. The electric running back out of Alabama was seen as a game-changing weapon—explosive, elusive, and dynamic in both the run and pass game. But now, just over a season into his career, troubling signs are emerging that have Lions fans and coaches deeply concerned.
Gibbs, once hailed as the future face of the backfield, has struggled to find consistency. Injuries have begun to mount, with lingering hamstring and ankle issues limiting his availability and effectiveness. What was initially hoped to be minor wear-and-tear is starting to look more like a long-term durability concern—something NFL scouts quietly warned about before the draft due to his slight frame and heavy collegiate usage.
Equally concerning is his diminishing impact on the field. Gibbs’ explosiveness appears dulled, whether due to physical setbacks or confidence erosion. His role in the offense has gradually shrunk, with veteran backs and even new draftees eating into his touches. Once viewed as a dual-threat weapon, he now struggles to stay on the field in key situations.
Perhaps most painful for Detroit fans is the realization that the front office may have overreached. With pressing needs elsewhere, using such a high pick on a running back always carried risk. Now, that gamble appears to be backfiring—potentially setting back the team’s progress just as they seemed ready to contend.
There’s still time for a turnaround, and no one’s writing Gibbs off entirely. But for now, the fears that Detroit hoped would never materialize are becoming harder to ignore—and the dream of Gibbs as a franchise cornerstone is slipping away.
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