Detroit Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery didn’t hold back when asked about the progress of second-year back Jahmyr Gibbs, offering a glowing review that has fans buzzing ahead of the 2025 NFL season. In a room full of professionals who’ve coached and played with some of the best, Montgomery’s words stood out: “He’s one of the smartest running backs I’ve ever coached.” That type of praise doesn’t come lightly, especially from a man who’s worked with NFL talents at multiple stops, but it perfectly encapsulates the rising confidence inside the Lions’ building about what they have in Gibbs — a player whose football IQ might be just as valuable as his elite physical gifts.
When Detroit drafted Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, it raised some eyebrows. Questions circled about whether the Lions had reached too high for a running back in today’s pass-heavy league. However, it took only a handful of games into his rookie campaign for Gibbs to silence doubters and begin winning over even the most skeptical fans. His electric speed, smooth vision, and dynamic versatility turned him into a weapon both on the ground and through the air. By the end of the year, he had firmly established himself as one of the most exciting young backs in the league. Now entering year two, it’s not just his athleticism that’s catching attention — it’s his understanding of the game.
Montgomery, who joined the Lions coaching staff in 2023, emphasized how rare it is to come across a player so naturally in tune with the nuances of the position. According to him, Gibbs processes the game at a level that most veterans only reach after several years in the league. Whether it’s pass protection, reading blocks, identifying defensive fronts, or adjusting routes on the fly, Gibbs has already mastered the mental side of his responsibilities in a way that feels far beyond his age. And that’s what makes him such a special piece in Detroit’s offensive puzzle. Talent is a prerequisite in the NFL — intelligence is what elevates the great ones.
The Lions are quietly building something serious in Detroit. After years of frustration and failed expectations, head coach Dan Campbell has instilled a new culture of toughness, discipline, and belief. The team’s run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024 turned heads around the league and sent a message that Detroit’s rise is no fluke. A key ingredient in that run was the one-two punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and veteran David Montgomery. The duo offered a perfect balance: Montgomery’s power and reliability complemented by Gibbs’ explosion and game-breaking agility. But what fans may not have seen was the mental load Gibbs carried — adjusting to the speed of the league, processing complex defenses, and understanding protections to earn the staff’s trust on third down.
It’s no surprise then that his coaches are already talking about expanding his role. With another offseason under his belt, Gibbs looks sharper, faster, and more confident. Coaches say he’s picking up install sessions quicker than ever, often serving as a mentor to newer players in the room despite being only 23 years old. Montgomery noted that Gibbs frequently asks high-level questions in meetings — the kind that signal not just comprehension but true mastery. It’s not just about where to line up or which hole to hit; it’s about understanding why the play is called, how it’s expected to evolve, and where the defense is most likely to be vulnerable.
That type of football mind is rare at any position, let alone running back, which often gets reduced to instinct and reaction. Gibbs is showing that he’s capable of being a chess piece in Ben Johnson’s ever-evolving offense, one that can line up in the backfield, motion to the slot, run precise routes, and even pick up key blitzes that protect Jared Goff. His ability to handle those responsibilities gives Detroit maximum flexibility, allowing them to mask intentions and create matchup nightmares. It’s no longer a surprise to see Gibbs motioned wide on 3rd and 6 or left in as a decoy while Montgomery churns through the middle. The Lions trust him implicitly because he consistently makes the right reads.
That trust didn’t come overnight. Gibbs had to earn it the hard way, learning how to adapt to the rigors of an NFL schedule while staying healthy and producing consistently. By midseason in 2023, he began to flash the kind of big-play ability that reminded some of Alvin Kamara or Christian McCaffrey — backs who can turn a simple swing pass into a highlight-reel run. But it was in the cold, physical grind of December football that Gibbs truly grew. He fought through tough defenses, lowered his shoulder when needed, and — most importantly — kept proving he was assignment-sound in every phase of the game.
For Coach Montgomery, who has seen his fair share of talented backs come through his system, it’s Gibbs’ ability to combine those physical gifts with a mental sharpness that makes him special. “He doesn’t just play fast — he thinks fast,” Montgomery said. “And when you combine that with his physical tools, you get a player that can dominate every aspect of the game.” It’s one thing to be fast and elusive, another to understand why the defense is in Cover 2 and how to exploit it. Gibbs has that rare blend. He’s not guessing out there. He’s calculating.
And that’s the foundation for something potentially elite. The Lions aren’t just hoping Gibbs becomes a Pro Bowler — they’re expecting it. With Goff returning under center, Amon-Ra St. Brown locked in as one of the league’s premier receivers, and a top-tier offensive line paving the way, Gibbs is set up for a massive leap in year two. Coaches anticipate an increased workload and more designed touches in space, where his vision and burst can do the most damage. If he stays healthy, there’s little doubt he could top 1,500 scrimmage yards and find the end zone regularly.
His teammates have taken notice too. Veteran linemen rave about his patience behind blocks and how quickly he sees cutback lanes. Wide receivers love his ability to turn short passes into chunk gains that keep the offense rolling. Even Goff has praised his maturity and instincts, noting that he often communicates protections like a veteran third-down back. That level of respect from peers is often the clearest sign that a young player is on the right trajectory. Gibbs isn’t just fast and flashy — he’s dependable.
Of course, there’s still room to grow. Montgomery pointed out that Gibbs is constantly looking for ways to fine-tune his game. Whether it’s improving his footwork on inside zone runs or cleaning up his blitz pickup technique, he approaches each rep with purpose. That work ethic, combined with his natural gifts and football IQ, is what has the Lions’ coaching staff so excited. He’s not just satisfied with highlights — he wants to master the position, every detail, every call, every moment. That kind of hunger is what separates the good from the great.
As Detroit eyes another deep playoff push, they’ll be leaning heavily on Gibbs to deliver both the splash plays and the subtle ones — the ones that don’t show up on SportsCenter but win games. Converting a key 3rd and 2. Staying in to chip a free rusher. Reading a backside stunt and bouncing outside. Those are the plays that make a difference in January. And Gibbs has proven he can make them, not just because he’s fast or athletic, but because he’s thinking one step ahead.
In a league where running backs often feel replaceable, Jahmyr Gibbs is rewriting that narrative in Detroit. He’s not just a speedster or a pass-catcher. He’s a student of the game, a technician, a leader in the making. And with his coaches behind him, a fanbase rallying around him, and a front office that believes in his potential, the sky is the limit. Coach Montgomery’s praise wasn’t just a throwaway line — it was an affirmation that Gibbs is already on a path few backs ever reach. One of the smartest running backs he’s ever coached? Believe it. And the best might be yet to come.
