The Detroit Lions took care of one of their most important playmakers on the team ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Lions were a few plays away from making the Super Bowl last season, and the front office is making sure they keep and add players that can help them reach the game next February.
The biggest contract the Lions are facing this offseason is quarterback Jared Goff. Goff is set to play in the final year of his contract during the upcoming season. The two parties are interested in an extension, but nothing has come from the smoke at this point in the offseason.
The Lions made sure to keep Goff’s best target on the field for the next few seasons. According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, the Lions signed Amon-Ra St. Brown to a four-year extension worth $120 million. He’ll get $77 million of that guaranteed.
Sources: The #Lions have a deal for one of the top young talents, agreeing on an extension for WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. He gets 4 years and more than $120M with $77M guaranteed.
The deal done by @JobyBranion of @VanguardSG makes St. Brown the highest-paid WR in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/EIoBNU6jJw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2024
It’s a smart move by the Lions to get a new deal done now. The wide receiver market has shifted dramatically in recent years as the salary cap has expanded. No. 1 wide receivers want $30 million per year contracts this offseason, and that number is expected to climb in successive years.
The Lions made sure to get this out of the way before the Dallas Cowboys extended CeeDee Lamb and the San Francisco 49ers extended Brandon Aiyuk. With the 49ers and Aiyuk not close to inking a new deal, San Francisco might feel more pressure to trade their star wide receiver away in the draft on Thursday night. The timing of the extension is an interesting volley for a team trying to catch the 49ers, and this move has the potential to make San Francisco’s roster worse for the upcoming season.
The Lions selected St. Brown in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s far surpassed what NFL scouts thought he could be in the NFL during his first season three seasons with Detroit. St. Brown has recorded 315 receptions for 3,588 yards and 21 touchdowns in his first three years in the league.
Here are the best takes by fans after the news came out Wednesday on St. Brown’s extension.
WOW. The Vikings, Bengals, and Cowboys are SWEATING right now with looming contracts for Jefferson, Chase, and Lamb
Congrats to ARSB
— LeatherBrainz (@leatherbrainz) April 24, 2024
Can’t think of a better/more deserving player
— is trying his best (@msupeach) April 24, 2024
Over pay for a mid player
— Justin Fields Fan Club (@JustinFieldsFC) April 24, 2024
Sheeshhhh
Justin Jefferson & Ceedee Lamb about to get $150 Mil with $100 mil guaranteed…
— The Owl (@TheOwl_LOB) April 24, 2024
He's so underrated
— Blaze (@Blaze5921) April 24, 2024
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