The Detroit Lions actively secured multiple key players with generous long-term contract extensions over the past year. Key players such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill, and Jared Goff have secured their futures in Detroit for the upcoming years.
Up next: Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutchinson qualifies for a contract extension this offseason, but it isn’t a necessity for the Lions to finalize this year. The 2025 campaign will mark Hutchinson’s fourth year, but the Lions have the option to exercise the fifth-year clause in his contract, allowing an additional season in 2026 prior to any extension. From a technical standpoint, Detroit could apply the franchise tag for the 2027 season too, but that wouldn’t be advantageous for either party in the long run.
NFL contracts often mirror the dynamics of the housing market. Prices consistently increase with each increase to the salary cap, and contract extensions are usually influenced by recent similar player agreements. That will hold true for Hutchinson whenever he and the Lions agree on an extension.
Over the past two years, several top-tier EDGE players have secured significant new contracts. The most prominent is 49ers star Nick Bosa, who signed a 5-year contract valued at $170 million, with $88 million (52 percent) guaranteed. Bosa’s contract totals $34 million annually, positioning him at the highest tier of the salary scale for his position.
The framework of the guarantee and contract is the point at which the discussions for Hutchinson and the Lions will become intriguing. Watt has 71.4 percent guaranteed, whereas Hines-Allen stands at 62.4 percent. Recent agreements for the Lions have ensured guarantees ranging from 53 percent (Goff) to 76 percent (Sewell). The gruesome specifics will likely contain at least one vacant year for salary cap reasons. St. Brown’s contract, signed shortly prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, includes multiple scheduled bonuses over various years. Anticipate that this model, which is quite typical in many extensive contracts throughout the league, will persist with Hutchinson.
The Lions should finalize a deal with Hutchinson before Garrett raises the market’s highest figures with his upcoming contract — whether that’s in Cleveland (probable) or another location. If Garrett is traded, he will need a new contract; however, the Browns might also attempt to earn Garrett’s loyalty with a new agreement even though he has two seasons remaining.