Many NFL pundits have wondered how the Detroit Lions’ offense will be impacted by the loss of former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is now the head coach for Chicago.
One of the early observations from Lions training camp is that running back Jahmyr Gibbs will have an increased role as a receiver out of the backfield, in new offensive coordinator John Morton’s offense.
In a collection of observation’s from training camp, Lions insider Tim Twentyman noted Gibbs’ emergence as a trusted receiver.
“… (Gibbs) also made a really difficult tight-window catch near the goal line with linebacker Jack Campbell in great coverage and a number of defenders converging on him,” Twentyman wrote. “Gibbs has been pretty sure-handed throughout camp and OC John Morton is using him a lot in the passing game.”
Since making Gibbs the No. 12 overall pick in 2023, the Lions have added to his role in the offense. Through two campaigns with Ben Johnson calling plays, Gibbs caught a combined 104 passes on 134 targets for 833 yards with five receiving TDs.
Last season, Gibbs spent 568 of his 638 snaps in the backfield, per Pro Football Focus. The RB took 32 snaps from the slot and 38 out wide — both of those figures down from 2023, when he took 48 slot snaps and 46 out wide.
During the first week of training camp, Gibbs told NFL insider Kevin Patra he is being split out wide more than ever.
“I gotta learn the formations for being split out,” Gibbs said, via WXYT Detroit. “I’m being split out like way more than I was the past two years. That’s good. That’s going to be fun. I’ve been waiting on that.”
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