The Detroit Lions rewarded two key stars responsible for NFC North title in 2023 on Wednesday.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension that includes $77 million guaranteed. Only hours later, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported offensive tackle Penei Sewell got a four-year, $112 million pact with $85 million guaranteed.
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It's unclear whether St. Brown or Sewell's 2024 payouts have been amended as part of the agreements. For now, they count for $3.6 million and $7.7 million respectively, and the Lions have $27.8 million in cap space at their disposal.
General manager Brad Holmes is making the most of Detroit's ample flexibility in 2025.
The team is projected to have $122.2 million to spend, which is the second-highest figure in the league behind the New England Patriots ($144 million), per Over the Cap. That's more than enough to accommodate the extensions for St. Brown and Sewell while maintaining enough reserves to either re-sign other players or target some outside acquisitions.
Quarterback Jared Goff now becomes the one Lions player to watch.
The three-time Pro Bowler has enjoyed a career renaissance in the Motor City, which comes at an opportune time. A free agent in 2025, Spotrac estimates his value to be $38.4 million annually.
Paying Goff upwards of $40 million or more would put a sizable dent in the Lions' cap space, but they may have no other alternative. They'd be spending just as much or more to sign another of the signal-callers headed for free agency that offseason, and pivoting to a younger, less expensive replacement would be a risky call for a franchise that will have big aims.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Detroit and Goff aren't on the verge of a breakthrough for now. You'd have to assume negotiations are at least ongoing after Holmes took such an aggressive approach with St. Brown and Sewell.
And now the front office has a better idea of its payroll for 2025 and beyond.
