BREAKING NEWS: Former Detroit Lions Pulls Out Of The 2024 season due to…
The next five Detroit Lions players up for a contract extension
The Lions signed offensive tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to large contract extensions the day before the NFL Draft in Detroit. Then, quarterback Jared Goff received his sizable contract extension during the week that separated rookie minicamp from the subsequent round of OTAs.
Brad Holmes’ basic strategy for developing the roster is to develop and then reward the players on the Lions. If Holmes continues to strike the target in the draft, the organization will be willing to pay the financial piper for its key players who justify such expenditures. More of such impending pay days are on the horizon. Furthermore, not every player will or has been as good right away as St. Brown and Sewell were in 2021 as rookies.
It’s worthwhile to investigate who the Lions would consider extending his contract next. These five players are the next in line for a contract extension; they are listed somewhat chronologically but also with an eye toward who will be given priority.
The next five Detroit Lions players to receive a contract extension
5. S Melifonwu Ifeatu
Over his first three NFL seasons, injuries have plagued Melifonwu, including a hand injury that kept him exclusively on special teams duty for a portion of the last campaign. However, from Week 14 onward—through the Divisional Round of the playoffs—he was Pro Football Focus’ seventh-highest graded safety (80.3 overall) after he recovered enough to start in Tracy Walker’s stead. He earned five sacks, 42 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, eight quarterback hits, and a 79.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus from Week 14–the NFC Championship Game.
Melifonwu is about to reach the last year of his rookie deal. He’ll remain in Detroit for a few more years if he can repeat his late-season performance from last year, or at least come close to it, during a full and healthy season this year.
