The Detroit Lions have sealed monumental contract extensions with two of their offensive stalwarts on a momentous Wednesday.
A trusted insider disclosed to ESPN that wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown clinched a lucrative four-year, $120 million extension, while offensive tackle Penei Sewell inked a substantial four-year, $112 million deal, as revealed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
St. Brown’s landmark contract boasts a staggering $77 million guaranteed, marking the highest guaranteed sum ever for a wide receiver in a single NFL contract, according to meticulous research from ESPN Stats & Information.
Meanwhile, Sewell’s formidable contract includes an impressive $85 million guaranteed, making history for offensive linemen in terms of guaranteed money, as corroborated by ESPN Stats & Information. Additionally, his $28 million average annual salary stands as the largest among offensive linemen in NFL history.
In an Instagram story shared from Ford Field, St. Brown expressed his excitement, proclaiming, “I can’t wait. I’m here, four more years.”
With these deals secured, the Lions can now focus on negotiating an extension with quarterback Jared Goff. While discussions have commenced, insiders reveal that a deal with Goff remains pending. Despite being in the final year of his contract, Goff has voiced his desire to continue with the Lions since his trade from the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
According to sources close to Schefter, an agreement with Goff is not imminent.
St. Brown, aged 24, earned recognition as a first-team All-Pro last season, achieving career highs with 119 receptions, 1,515 yards, and 10 touchdown catches.
Similarly, Sewell, aged 23, earned his first-ever first-team All-Pro selection last season, alongside St. Brown. They became the first pair of offensive players from the Lions to receive such honors since 1997. Both players have also been selected to the past two Pro Bowls. Sewell joins Lomas Brown as the only Lions offensive tackles to receive Pro Bowl nods in consecutive seasons.
St. Brown’s consistency is underscored by his achievement of 90 or more receptions in each of his first three seasons, a feat shared only with Odell Beckham Jr. and Michael Thomas in NFL history, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Drafted by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, St. Brown’s extension forestalls his potential free agency after this season.
As for Sewell, selected seventh overall by the Lions in the 2021 draft, his extension arrives just ahead of the deadline for teams to exercise fifth-year options for first-round picks from the 2021 draft, as reported by NFL Network.
Prior to the official announcement, St. Brown expressed optimism about a potential extension in an interview with ESPN on Wednesday morning.
His father, John Brown, disclosed to ESPN that the Lions were eager to finalize the deal before the draft.
Looking ahead, St. Brown’s aspirations for the upcoming season include clinching a Super Bowl victory, following his pivotal role in the Lions’ journey to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 32 years.
As Detroit gears up to host its inaugural NFL draft this week, St. Brown is set to have a packed schedule, with numerous engagements lined up, including interactions with military personnel through USAA and a community event serving pizza at the Little Caesars Love Kitchen on Thursday.
