At 23, Jahmyr Gibbs is doing what even most legends never did

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is only 23 years old, but he’s already doing things most NFL veterans never come close to. After his three-touchdown performance on Sunday, Gibbs has now found the end zone 41 times in his career, putting him on the doorstep of history.

Jahmyr Gibbs chasing Barry Sanders’ mark

The record Gibbs is nearing belongs to none other than Barry Sanders, the Hall of Famer and Lions legend whose name defines excellence in Detroit. Sanders scored 47 total touchdowns before turning 24, the most ever by an NFL player under that age.

Gibbs won’t turn 24 until March 2026, meaning he still has several games this season to make up the difference. Seven more touchdowns would put him past Sanders and give him sole possession of one of the most impressive youth records in league history.

Since entering the NFL as a first-round pick in 2023, Gibbs has been electric both as a rusher and receiver. His 41 touchdowns are the most of any player in the league over that span, and he’s done it while sharing touches with fellow running back David Montgomery in Detroit’s balanced offense.

If Gibbs scores once against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, he’ll tie Jim Brown for the fourth-most touchdowns before the age of 24. The only players still ahead of him: Randy Moss, Emmitt Smith (43 each), and, of course, Sanders. That’s a list of icons. Brown, Moss, Smith, and Sanders are all either Hall of Famers or locks for Canton. For Gibbs to be mentioned in that company at 23 speaks volumes about his early impact.

With several weeks left in the regular season and Detroit poised for a playoff run, Gibbs could easily find himself in the record books by year’s end. The Lions’ next few games against the Eagles, Packers, and Bears all present opportunities for him to keep climbing the list. If he keeps his current pace, Gibbs could surpass Sanders before Christmas, rewriting one of the most hallowed pages in Detroit’s football history.

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