Some Detroit Lions records have felt locked away for generations, tied forever to the greatness of Barry Sanders. After Thursday night, Jahmyr Gibbs is no longer chasing those marks — he’s standing right on top of them.
Gibbs’ three-touchdown performance against the Cowboys in Week 14 pushed him to 47 career touchdowns, matching Sanders for the most ever by a player in their first three NFL seasons and before turning 24. What makes it even more impressive is that Gibbs is on track to break the record within the first 16 games of the season. That matters, because Sanders never had the benefit of a 17th game, removing any sense of an asterisk from what Gibbs is about to accomplish.
That context is what elevates this moment. Sanders set those records decades ago, in a different era, and they’ve survived wave after wave of elite running backs. For Gibbs to reach the same territory this quickly speaks volumes about his talent and impact. He’s not just productive — he’s historically productive.
Thursday night also marked Gibbs’ 11th career game with multiple rushing touchdowns, tied for the third-most through three seasons in NFL history. One more such game would place him alongside Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, and Eric Dickerson, further reinforcing just how rare his start has been.
When a young player is mentioned alongside Barry Sanders, it’s more than a stat — it’s a statement. Gibbs is already rewriting what’s possible early in a career, and if the record falls as expected, it will stand clean, clear, and earned, right next to one of the most legendary names the game has ever known.