If you were looking for Jahmyr Gibbs receiving yards today, you likely noticed something unusual about the Detroit Lions' schedule. Today is Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The NFL regular season officially wrapped up its drama-filled slate on Sunday, January 4, and for the Lions, that was the end of the road.
Detroit finished their campaign with a 9-8 record after a gritty 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 18. While they didn't make the playoff cut, Gibbs was a human highlight reel until the very last whistle. In that finale against Chicago, he hauled in 3 catches for 33 receiving yards, including a crucial 15-yard touchdown grab that reminded everyone why he's one of the most dangerous weapons in open space.
The Final Count: Breaking Down the 2025-26 Stats
It’s easy to get lost in the "rushing vs. receiving" debate with Gibbs, but honestly, that’s missing the point. He basically functions as a hybrid receiver who happens to line up in the backfield. He finished the 2025 season with some eye-popping numbers in the passing game.
Gibbs hauled in 77 receptions this year. Think about that for a second. That isn't just "good for a running back"—that's top-tier production for most starting wideouts in this league. Those catches translated to 616 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns through the air. When you combine that with his 1,223 yards on the ground, you're looking at a guy who just delivered over 1,800 scrimmage yards.
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People love to compare him to Christian McCaffrey or Alvin Kamara. While those comparisons hold water, Gibbs brings a specific type of "twitch" that feels unique to Dan Campbell’s system. He isn't just catching dump-offs; Ben Johnson has him running legitimate wheel routes and intermediate crosses that keep defensive coordinators awake at night.
Why the Passing Game Matters More for Gibbs
You've probably noticed that when the Lions struggle, it’s often because they aren’t getting Gibbs involved in the flat. Take the Week 16 loss to the Steelers. Even though the rushing lanes were clogged (he only managed 2 yards on 7 carries), he saved his fantasy day and his team’s offensive rhythm by catching 10 passes for 66 yards.
He’s the ultimate safety valve for Jared Goff. When the pocket collapses or the deep shots to Amon-Ra St. Brown are bracketed by safeties, Goff just looks for #0.
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The "Volume" Factor
- Targets: He saw 94 targets this season.
- Efficiency: He averaged 8 yards per reception.
- Big Plays: His longest catch of the year went for 42 yards.
Interestingly, Gibbs saw a massive uptick in his receiving workload after Sam LaPorta went down with a back injury late in the year. In the final six games of the season, Gibbs was targeted 51 times. He’s essentially become the WR2 in this offense by default.
What to Expect for the 2026 Season
Since there are no more Jahmyr Gibbs receiving yards today to track until the preseason kicks off, we have to look at what's next. The Lions’ 2026 opponents are already set. Because they finished fourth in the NFC North, they’ve got a "fourth-place schedule" that looks surprisingly manageable.
They'll be facing the AFC East and the NFC South. This means Gibbs will be matching up against defenses like the Miami Dolphins and the Atlanta Falcons—units that historically struggle with speed in the secondary. If Detroit can upgrade their interior offensive line this offseason, Gibbs might actually break the 80-catch mark next year.
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A lot of people ask if David Montgomery’s presence hurts Gibbs' ceiling. Kinda. But honestly, it might be the opposite. Montgomery takes the "dirty work" carries between the tackles, which keeps Gibbs fresh. A fresh Gibbs is a fast Gibbs. And a fast Gibbs is how you end up with 100+ yards from scrimmage every single week.
Final Takeaways for Fans and Fantasy Managers
If you're holding Gibbs in a dynasty league or just following him as a Lions fan, the trajectory is clear. He isn't a traditional running back; he's a focal point of a modern NFL passing attack.
- Stay tuned for the NFL Draft: If the Lions draft a pass-blocking specialist, Gibbs' receiving ceiling goes even higher because Goff will have more time to find him on late-developing routes.
- Track the coaching carousel: As long as Ben Johnson stays in Detroit as the Offensive Coordinator, Gibbs is a gold mine for receiving production.
- Look at the splits: Gibbs performed significantly better on turf (840 rushing yards) than on grass (383 yards). Keep that in mind for your 2026 projections.
The 2025 season proved that Gibbs is no longer a "prospect" or a "promising young player." He is the engine. While the Lions are watching the playoffs from home this year, the foundation they've built around Gibbs' versatility is arguably the strongest in the NFC North.
To stay ahead of the curve for next season, keep an eye on the Lions' offseason conditioning reports. Gibbs has mentioned in post-game interviews that he wants to improve his route-running even further. If he manages to refine his breaks the way a pure WR does, we might be looking at a 1,000/1,000 yard season in the very near future.