SAN FRANCISCO — The Detroit Lions pay Jahmyr Gibbs to terrorize defenses, not play on them. But you wouldn’t know that from the footage coming out of the Bay Area this afternoon. Ahead of the NFL Pro Bowl Games, the second-year running back was spotted lining up at defensive back, and he didn’t look out of place.
The viral clampdown
The NFL’s official account dropped the clip Friday morning, showing Gibbs shadowing a receiver step-for-step in coverage. With hips that flipped fluidly and closing speed that usually leaves linebackers in the dust, Gibbs broke on the ball with the instincts of a veteran safety. The caption said it best: “Electric at defensive back.”
This isn’t just a gimmick. Gibbs is fresh off a monster 2025 campaign where he racked up 1,102 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns, cementing his status as one of the league’s elite dual-threat weapons. Seeing that same explosiveness translated to coverage has fans wondering if Detroit should give him two-way snaps next season.
“I told ’em I got hands! Don’t throw it my way unless you want it going the other way. We’re trying to win this thing on Tuesday.” — Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions RB (via Pro Bowl Media Availability)
The Tuesday Night Showdown
This clip is just an appetizer. The main event—the Pro Bowl Games Flag Football matchup—kicks off Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The NFC squad, led by Gibbs and fellow Lion Aidan Hutchinson, will look to snap the AFC’s winning streak in the new format.
If this practice footage is any indicator, the NFC might have a secret weapon in the secondary. The atmosphere at the Moscone Center is already loose but competitive, with players feeding off the energy of the Super Bowl week crowds in San Francisco.
