A fresh debate surrounding contract negotiations in the NFL emerged this week after Mike Florio suggested that Jahmyr Gibbs should completely avoi team activities until he secures a new deal with the Detroit Lions.

During the April 13 episode of From PFT Live, Florio argued that Gibbs should steer clear of any physical work connected to the team until his contract situation is resolved. That includes skipping practices, conditioning sessions, and any football-related activity. Florio believes the running back holds considerable leverage right now, particularly after earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance and becoming eligible for a contract extension this offseason. Some analysts believe Gibbs could soon become the highest-paid running back in the league.

Florio made it clear he would advise players in similar positions to take a cautious approach. He even mentioned Bijan Robinson as another example, saying that players with elite value should avoid entering team facilities, lifting weights, or putting on cleats until their second contracts are finalized.

Meanwhile, Lions general manager Brad Holmes has publicly expressed his desire to keep the key members of Detroit’s 2023 draft class together. That group includes Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta, safety Brian Branch, and linebacker Jack Campbell. However, maintaining long-term deals for all of them may be difficult due to salary cap considerations. Given Gibbs’ importance to the offense, many observers believe he could be the top priority among the group.

Florio emphasized that teams should act quickly if they want to keep their stars satisfied. According to him, once organizations take care of deserving players financially, the concerns disappear. Until then, he believes athletes like Gibbs should avoid risking their health while waiting for contracts that reflect their market value.

If Gibbs ultimately lands a record-setting deal, he would surpass the current top salaries at the position. Right now, Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles leads the league with an annual average of $20.6 million, while Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers follows closely at $19 million per year.

Gibbs’ production over his first three NFL seasons certainly supports the argument for a major payday. He has averaged 5.3 yards per carry and roughly 13 touchdowns each season, while also setting the mark for the most total touchdowns by any player during his first three years in the league. In 2025, he finished third in the NFL with 1,223 rushing yards and ranked second with 13 rushing touchdowns. He has also been heavily involved in the passing game, recording 100 receptions for 896 yards and seven scores between the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Florio’s co-host on the show, Chris Simms, echoed similar sentiments. Simms noted that while players should still train and stay in top condition, they do not necessarily need to participate in optional team activities such as OTAs if their contracts remain unresolved. He praised both Gibbs and Robinson, calling them two of the most explosive offensive talents in the league and acknowledging that players with that level of ability deserve significant financial compensation.

From Detroit’s perspective, reaching an agreement sooner rather than later might be the smartest move. The Lions recently created roughly $32 million in additional cap space by restructuring the contract of quarterback Jared Goff. That extra flexibility could help fund extensions for several young stars. The team has also shown a willingness to push money into future years, as seen in the four-year, $180 million extension given to pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson.

Finalizing a deal with Gibbs early would eliminate the risk of a potential holdout and could prevent his price tag from climbing even higher as the market for elite running backs continues to evolve.