Since general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell joined the organization in 2021, the Detroit Lions have painstakingly assembled their roster, transforming the once-dreary squad into a Super Bowl contender.
The team has a number of important players up for contract extensions, and according to AtoZ Sports’ Mike Payton, the Lions will spend over $350 million on three large contracts this summer. Amon-Ra St. Brown is projected to receive one of the largest commitments because he has developed into one of the league’s best wide receivers and should be compensated accordingly.
In 2023, St. Brown led the league in a number of receiving metrics, hauling in 119 passes for 1,515 yards and 13 touchdowns. With a total of 22 receptions for 274 yards and one touchdown over the course of three postseason games, he was also one of the team’s best players during their playoff run to the NFC Championship game.
Payton projected that St. Brown will sign a four-year contract with the Lions that would pay him a total of $100 million before the last year of his rookie contract. Additionally, he projected that the Lions would offer quarterback Jared Goff a four-year, $190 million agreement, preserving their two most important passing game components for the foreseeable future.
Later on, there might be further moves. Payton anticipated that while negotiating a long-term contract for the important offensive tackle, the Lions would select Penei Sewell’s fifth-year option.
To be in compliance with the salary cap, the Lions would have to make some matching moves.
Payton projected that they would save $17.8 million by restructuring the contracts of defensive back Cameron Sutton, linemen Frank Ragnow, and Taylor Decker.
It seems like the Lions and their standout wide receiver are already working toward a new contract.According to a report by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press on February 29, the organization plans to meet with St. Brown’s representatives this week at the NFL combine in order to discuss signing him to a contract extension during the offseason.
While Birkett indicated that there was hope for an agreement, the exact timing was still unknown.
Birkett stated, “The Lions have made it clear they intend to invest in their own roster this offseason, even though no deal is imminent.”
The Lions have stated that they want to make offseason investments in their own roster, even though no trade is close to completion, according to Birkett.
Speaking candidly about the team’s roster ambitions, Holmes stated that he and Campbell preferred to retain their own players above making significant free agency acquisitions.
“It’s not just that you know them and you drafted them, so even if they’re not living up to your expectations, you just keep them,” he said. “No, it’s that you do your best to draft the proper players with the intention of helping them develop. When they reach the age where they can sign again, you do so and you feel incredibly good about it.
