In the 2023-24 NFL season, the Detroit Lions experienced one of their most successful campaigns in franchise history. With 12 regular season wins and two postseason victories, they found themselves on the verge of the Super Bowl for only the second time in their history. This achievement marked a significant turnaround, especially considering their previous struggles in clinching the NFC North title since its inception in 2002.
As the offseason approached in 2024, the Detroit Lions organization faced crucial decisions regarding their roster. They needed to determine which players to secure for their long-term plans. On April 24, they provided an answer by investing over $222 million in re-signing two of their homegrown talents.
Detroit Lions Re-Sign Young Star Reciever Amon-Ra St. Brown
Amon-Ra St. Brown, drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, has made a significant impact on the team’s offense in his short three-year career. With an average of over 1,000 yards per season and coming off his best year yet, it was an obvious decision for the Lions to prioritize retaining his talent.
According to sources, the Lions secured St. Brown with a lucrative contract extension, offering him a four-year deal worth over $120 million, with $77 million guaranteed. This deal, brokered by Joby Branion of Vanguard Sports Group, positions St. Brown as the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, potentially matching the earnings of Tyreek Hill.
The substantial contract reflects the inflation in contracts expected due to increased cap space in the 2024 offseason. It sets a new benchmark for receivers like Brandon Aiyuk, CeeDee Lamb, and notably NFC North rival Justin Jefferson, who are likely to seek similar compensation, using St. Brown’s contract as a reference point.
Detroit Lions Secure Offensive Tackle Penei Sewell With Historic Contract
Penei Sewell, selected by the Detroit Lions as the seventh overall pick from the University of Oregon in the 2021 NFL Draft, quickly established himself as a premier talent. Excelling as an elite tackle in the NFL, Sewell has lived up to his draft status, allowing just three sacks in two seasons as a starter. His exceptional performance has earned him consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and a selection to the 2023-24 All-Pro team.
Recognizing Sewell’s importance in protecting their quarterback’s future, the Lions made a significant commitment by making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. This move solidifies their offensive line and ensures a strong foundation for their team moving forward.
Sources: All-Pro #Lions OT With the signing of a four-year, $112 million contract, Penei Sewell will become the highest-paid offensive lineman in the National Football League.
Justin Schulman and Joe Panos of @AthletesFirst negotiated the agreement, which comes with a $85 million guarantee. pic.twitter.com/1LUydpbzwd
— April 24, 2024, Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo)
How These Signing Effect The Detroit Lions Future
The Detroit Lions are standing by their emerging core group, which has propelled them to unprecedented success. However, the recent signing of two record-breaking contracts is bound to impact their future roster decisions.
One of the most critical choices lies ahead in the 2025 offseason concerning their current starting quarterback, Jared Goff. According to Joseph Zucker’s analysis in a Bleacher Report article, the Lions may find themselves with limited options by 2025.
Committing upwards of $40 million to Goff would significantly impact the Lions’ salary cap space, potentially leaving them with little room to maneuver. Alternately, pursuing another high-profile quarterback set to become a free agent that offseason would likely demand a comparable investment. Opting for a younger, less expensive replacement would entail substantial risk for a franchise with ambitious goals.
In addition to Goff, the Lions must also address expiring contracts for key starters such as Taylor Decker, Kevin Zeitler, and recently acquired cornerback Carlton Davis, just within the current year. While the signings of standout players like Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra Saint Brown promise stability in certain areas of the roster, mismanagement could lead to complications and limitations within a relatively short timeframe if the Lions don’t navigate their decisions carefully.