Since general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell took over in 2021, the Detroit Lions have methodically assembled their roster, transforming the once-dismal squad into a Super Bowl contender.
The Lions will now have to deal with their next personnel dilemma: paying up.
The team has a number of important players up for contract extensions, and according to Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports, 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.
Huge Payday for Lions Wide Receiver St. Brown: In 2023, he made 119 receptions for 1,515 yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking among the league leaders in various receiving metrics. 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.
Lions Struggling for a New Deal
The Lions and their standout wide out seem to be in the process of negotiating 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.”
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 make every effort to select the best players through the draft, with the hope that they will develop. When they reach a point where they can sign again, you do so and you feel incredibly happy about it.”
