Future Status for Detroit Lions RB in 2024

Craig Reynolds, the primary backup to Gibbs and Montgomery in 2023, is likely to return for another year in Motown.

Let’s look at the contract situation of the Lions’ running backs from 2023.

Jahmyr Gibbs

Gibbs, a first-year pro in 2023, is contracted with Detroit until 2026, with a cap charge of $4,055,713 in 2024.

He has $14,600,568 in guarantees left on his rookie contract.

David Montgomery

The veteran back is signed with the organization until 2025, with a cap hit of $6,786,765 in 2024.

He has $6,375,000 in guarantees remaining on his current contract (signed previous summer).

Craig Reynolds

Reynolds served as the Lions’ primary backup running back in 2023. He will be a “exclusive rights free agent” this summer, which means he will only be able to negotiate a contract with Detroit if the franchise allows him to pursue free agency.

Reynolds is expected to return to the Lions in 2024.

Zonovan Knight

Knight missed the whole 2023 season due to a shoulder injury sustained in Week 5 versus Carolina, forcing him to go on injured reserve.

Knight, a former New York Jets running back, appeared in two games this season and had only three carries (for 13 yards).

Similar to Reynolds, he will be an exclusive rights free agency this offseason.

Jason Cabinda

Cabinda, Detroit’s primary fullback, played virtually little at the position in 2023. He played only 20 snaps (down from 64 last season) and had one carry.

He also played on special teams this season. Cabinda adds importance to the Lions even when he is not playing fullback.

He will be a “street free agent” this offseason, meaning he was under contract with an NFL team in 2023 but did not make the active roster at the end of the season. As a result, the Penn State product will be free to sign with any NFL team when free agency begins.

Jermar Jefferson 

I hope you did not forget about Jefferson.

The Lions’ 2021 seventh-round draft pick (No. 257 overall) has not appeared in an NFL game since his rookie season. However, he has remained a member of the group since then.

Jefferson, who completed the ’23 season on injured reserve, has signed a “futures contract.” A futures contract is one signed by street free agents, such as Jefferson, that does not count against the salary cap until the start of free agency.

Jefferson will cost the Lions $915,000 in 2024.

Jake Funk

Funk, a seventh-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, played four games with the Colts in 2023. He had two rushing attempts for ten yards.

However, he finished the ’23 season on Detroit’s practice squad. Like Jefferson, he has a futures contract and will pay $1,055,000 against the cap this season.

Mohamed Ibrahim

Ibrahim was a highly sought-after undrafted free agent who signed with the Lions last year.

However, his first season never really took off. He sustained a dislocated hip in his first game on the Lions’ active squad (Week 7, against Baltimore), and he never played again.

Ibrahim ended the season on injured reserve and is now a free agent heading into the offseason. So his future in the Motor City is undoubtedly uncertain.