Lions' Updated Salary Cap After Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell's Historic Contracts
April 24, 2024
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.
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.