10 Detroit Lions Entering Their Contract Season

The Detroit Lions are eyeing a promising 2024 season, with several key players entering the final year of their contracts. These individuals’ future contributions and decisions will significantly influence the team’s dynamics and strategic planning. Listed alphabetically by last name, here are ten Lions players on the cusp of their contract season:

10 Detroit Lions Entering Their Contract Season

Here are 10 Detroit Lions who are entering their contract season.

Note: Includes players in the final year of their rookie contract, including Penei Sewell, who will certainly have his fifth-year option picked up.

1. Derrick Barnes: Known for a playoff-clinching interception, Barnes looks to build on his momentum. With a $1.25 million cap hit for 2024, his performance could lead to a new deal.
2. John Cominsky: After a strong 2022 season, Cominsky’s future, coupled with a $6.2 million cap hit for 2024, hangs in the balance, possibly making room for new talent.
3. Taylor Decker: As a cornerstone at left tackle, Decker’s $19.1 million cap hit next year puts the Lions at a crossroads regarding his tenure with the team. That said, there is no question be will be back for at least one more season.
4. Jared Goff: The quarterback, pivotal to the Detroit Lions’ offense, faces a crucial year with a $31.65 million cap number for 2024, spotlighting the importance of his role. Expect for Goff to sign a contract worth around $50 million per year.
5. Ifeatu Melifonwu: After overcoming early injuries, Melifonwu’s adaptability in the secondary, highlighted by a $1.4 million cap hit for 2024, makes his next season crucial for his career trajectory. Melifonwu came out of nowhere in 2023, and he could get an extension.
6. Alim McNeill: McNeill has become a defensive staple for the Lions. With a cap hit of $1.6 million for 2024, his performance could secure a longer stay in Detroit.
7. Levi Onwuzurike: Battling through injuries, Onwuzurike’s cap hit of $2.6 million for 2024 raises questions about his future impact on the team’s defensive line.
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown: The standout receiver, with a cap hit of only $1.2 million for 2024, is poised for a significant contract extension given his explosive impact on the field. There are already rumors that St. Brown will get $25 million per season.
9. Penei Sewell: Sewell’s dominance at right tackle is undisputed. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, the Lions are expected to exercise his fifth-year option, setting the stage for a future extension. It is just a matter of time before Sewell is the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
10. Tracy Walker: Following an Achilles injury, Walker’s reduced role and $12.8 million cap number for 2024 put his future with the Lions in question, despite his veteran presence. I expect Walker to be cut.

TL;DR (too long didn’t read)

Bottom Line

As the Detroit Lions gear up for the 2024 season, the contract situations of key players like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell underscore a period of both opportunity and uncertainty. The financial implications tied to their cap hits, coupled with the strategic decisions the Lions must make, highlight the complex dynamics of NFL roster management. These players’ contributions on the field will be under intense scrutiny, as their performances could dictate the trajectory of their careers and the team’s success.

The Detroit Lions find themselves at a crossroads, where the delicate balance between talent retention, salary cap health, and team performance becomes paramount. How they navigate these contract seasons could set the tone for the franchise’s direction in the latter half of the decade. For players, delivering on the field could mean securing their future in Detroit and potentially changing the narrative of their careers. For the team, making informed, strategic decisions on these contracts is crucial in building a competitive and financially sustainable roster.