Lions Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Jahmyr Gibbs emerged as a legitimate star for the Detroit Lions in just his rookie season in the league. And it sounds like the team is looking for him to take the next step toward being a dynamic weapon this year.

During a recent radio interview, Detroit Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery made it clear that the team wants Jahmyr Gibbs to contribute more in the passing game this upcoming season.

“Now what we need him to do from a passing game standpoint is go to the next level,” Montgomery said on 97.1 The Ticket according to Pro Football Talk. “I do think there’s a certain difference between being a really efficient check-down versus a great route-runner, a guy that can run all types of choice. We know we’ve seen him do those things. But now can you go into the slot and a little bit more down the field, some intermediate stuff. Can we continue to grow him there, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Gibbs caught 52 passes for 316 yards last season with most of those passes coming on dumb-offs out of the backfield. It sounds like they want to expand that role for him this season.

[Pro Football Talk]