The Lions’ den is a buzz lately. Cornerback sensation Terrion Arnold? Yeah, he’s been crushing it at the gym like there’s no tomorrow. But hold onto your jerseys, folks, because there’s more to this story than just workout warriors. There’s some drama brewing that might just shake things up for Jahmyr Gibbs, and trust me, you’ll want to stick around for this one.
This Sunday, Lions GM Brad Holmes sat for an interview with the NFL on NBC. Holmes shared some not-so-great news about Gibbs. He stated, “I think the great thing about our setup is that when we were out without David and we had a lean on Jahmyr. He was able to carry the entire load. This guy is tough.” But then things got a bit real when the interviewer hit him with a direct question about Jahmyr wanting more touches. Brad didn’t hold back, saying, “We see the place from day one. All those guys in the locker room know what has to be done.” So basically, if you’re looking for more action, you gotta play by the coach’s rules. Definitely a piece of bad news for the Fantasy Football world.
After racking up 1,929 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns last season, Jahmyr Gibbs is still grinding for improvement. Recently, he was spotted hitting the gym with fellow running back Craig Reynolds, showcasing his trademark speed, balance, and explosiveness.
Sure, plenty of players are training hard right now, but Gibbs’ dedication stands out, given his impressive success in the league. It’s safe to say he’s already a star, yet he’s hustling like his spot isn’t locked in. This mindset is bound to lead him to even greater achievements. Even after the team let him down, Jahmyr is attacking the offseason like a champ—here’s why his determination is about to pay off!
Gibbs might be gearing up for another standout season in 2025, and coaching changes could play a role. The Lions shook things up this offseason, promoting Scottie Montgomery to wide receivers coach, which left the running backs coach position open. Tashard Choice stepped in, and with Gibbs constantly putting in work and having a coach who understands the NFL, things are looking bright for him.
The Lions are also adjusting to a new offensive coordinator, John Morton, but Gibbs remains a key player. The more comfortable he feels, the better the entire team will perform. While Jahmyr Gibbs’s goals are clear, the Lions are still exploring their options. Could Za’Darius Smith be the surprise twist in Detroit’s offseason drama?
With Jahmyr set, what’s brewing between the Lions and Za’Darius Smith?
The Detroit Lions’ low-key free agency strategy overshadowed defensive end Za’Darius Smith. He had a solid run, racking up 4.0 sacks and 36 pressures in just eight games after the Lions traded for him at the deadline. However, before his option bonus kicked in, the team decided to cut him earlier this offseason. Had they kept him, it would have cost them $11 million in cap space over the next two years, even though he was only under contract for one more season.
Lions GM Brad Holmes was straightforward about the situation. He remarked, “We just weren’t in a position to keep him at his salary,” Holmes said. “Look, he played some good snaps for us and made plays when we acquired him, so we would have loved to keep him. We just weren’t able to,” explaining that keeping Smith simply didn’t fit their budget.
Despite this, Holmes didn’t completely shut the door on the idea of Smith returning in 2025. “We’ve been keeping in touch with his agent, and he understands the process. We’ll just see how it goes,” he mentioned.
As for Smith’s plans for next season, they remain a bit of a mystery. Holmes said the split was amicable. Judging by Smith’s social media posts after his release, that seems to be the case. On March 9, he shared several photos of himself as a Lion with the caption, “Thank you, Detroit.”
Smith will turn 33 in September, but he’s still a productive pass rusher, so there’s definitely a market for him. Right now, it’s common for veterans to wait and see how the NFL Draft plays out before exploring new opportunities.
In the meantime, Holmes remains optimistic about the defensive line. “To be able to get Levi (Onwuzurike) back—he was rolling with his pressures, and hopefully, he can get home even more. That’s going to help out a lot,” Holmes said.
Now, it’s just a matter of waiting to see if there’s a chance for a reunion. And with Jahmyr Gibbs gearing up for next season, it’s gonna be an interesting one.
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