Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been very impressive during his rookie campaign, and former NFL halfback Chris Johnson has taken notice.
During an appearance on the St. Brown Brothers Podcast this week (a podcast of Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Chicago Bears wide out Equanimeous St. Brown), Johnson said that he likes what he has seen from Gibbs this season.
“I’ve been liking Jahmyr since he transferred to Alabama,” said Johnson. “I thought he was going to be the Rookie of the Year, and that was even before he got drafted. … I haven’t seen anybody like Gibbs in a while. The quickness, the explosiveness, I like him. If y’all continue to feed him, I think he still has a shot to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.”
Whether or not Gibbs actually gets the touches to receive enough attention in award voting remains to be seen, but there is no question that he has done a whole lot with the opportunities he has been given.
Gibbs has played six games this season, and during that time, he has rushed for 399 yards and a couple of touchdowns while averaging a robust 5.3 yards per carry. He has also logged 28 catches for 165 yards.
The 21-year-old was selected by Detroit with the 21st pick of the NFL Draft back in the spring.
Gibbs enjoyed a particularly strong performance in the Lions’ most recent game back in Week 8, when he carried the ball 26 times for 152 yards and a score while also catching five passes for 37 yards in a win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Dalton, Ga. native is sharing the backfield with David Montgomery, so the touches between the two running backs will likely be fairly split the rest of the way.
On top of Jahmyr Gibbs putting forth an impressive rookie campaign, the Lions themselves have been one of the league’s best teams, as they sit at 6-2 and in first place in the NFC North. Detroit ranks second in offense and fifth in defense, so it has been a balanced club thus far.
The Lions will take on the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday.