While one of the biggest days in recent NFL history has been put together by a single franchise on the contract front, the Lions have yet another record-setting contract. After a long time Amon-Ra St. BrownThe deal unfolded, Benny Sewell It has been locked for a long time now.
Sewell agreed to terms on a four-year, $112MM extension. NFL.com's Mike Garafolo reports. That $28MM-per-year number shatters the right tackle AAV record. Not only is this the new right tackle standard, but Sewell's second contract doubles as the largest ever given to an offensive lineman.
The deal will average $30MM per year over its first three seasons. CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports. The deal appears to run through 2029, with the Lions having a fifth-year option on Chevelle that covers 2025. In fact, SI.com's Albert Breer confirms Runs through '29 after extended option.
The contract includes $85MM guaranteed, Garafolo adds. That guaranteed number falls north of any other O-lineman's figure. Andrew ThomasThe $67MM Giants guarantee was previously the current high water mark. No other OLs are tied for more than $64MM in guarantees. It represents a huge commitment for Chevelle, who has so far rewarded the Lions' first-round investment in 2021.
Although the Lions have two years of restriction remaining through the option, they will now go through that process to get an extension. While Thomas would have to agree to a five-year deal to lock in monster tackle money after his third season, the Lions will give Sewell a chance to negotiate a third contract — if he's in top form — in his late 20s. Sewell doesn't turn 24 until October.
It's hard to overstate the Lions' commitment to Chevelle. When the Eagles offered him in 2023, the right tackle market reached the $20MM per year mark. Lane Johnson Another extension and the Chiefs matched the $20MM-AAV fee for the free agent Jawan Taylor. Sewell effectively has his own salary cap in office. That comes in at $3MM above his $28MM AAV Laremy Tunsilof LT-Registration no. It was a big day for a player who joined the Lions after sitting out his final college season during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both Sewell and St. Brown came to Detroit first Brad Holmes-Don Campbell Draft. Each has become an impact player, with Sewell finishing last season as a first-team All-Pro. The Oregon alum has two Pro Bowls on his resume and has extensive experience at both tackle spots. The Lions selected Sewell seventh overall and kicked him to left tackle after 2021. Taylor Decker injury Decker returned in 2022, and the Lions followed their initial Sewell plan. They've seen him develop into one of the game's best right tackles.
Sewell returned to right tackle with the Lions, who formed one of the league's best offensive lines. The team paired tackle Decker-Sewell with the Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow. The Lions also saw some defensive instability due to the crop Halabouliwadi VaitaiHis health for the past two years, the team has given Jared Goff Regular flow lanes were opened for top security and the like Jamal Williams, David Montgomery And Jahmir Gibbs. The O-line has played a key role in Goff's Motor City renaissance — it's on track to work out a major extension for the veteran quarterback, most likely 1 week ago — and the Lions' trip to three wins from 2021 to last season. NFC Championship Game.
The Lions didn't give up on the four-year guard starter Jonah Jackson in free agency, but the team went for a cheaper alternative once they knew where his market was headed. The club's Sewell plans were undoubtedly a factor in that decision. The Lions already have Ragnow on a high-profile center contract and Decker signed a high-profile LT contract. Decker is heading into a contract year, though he made interesting news by revealing discussions about a third contract.
Lions are betting early on a dominant player. Pro Football Focus rated Sewell as the NFL's best tackle last year, praising his run-blocking ability in particular. Sewell ranks sixth in ESPN's pass block success rate. PFF has Sewell ranked No. 10 overall in 2022, and the Lions certainly believe the former No. 7 overall pick will have a quality prime.
Detroit landed Sewell after Cincinnati made the selection Jammer Chase Like the Bengals added three years ago at No. 5 Joe Burrow’s former teammate, then more than addressed the need for a glowing RT. It turned out to be the Lions' gain. Decker is in his age-31 season — a contract year — and the Lions are still heading into their fourth year.
It will be interesting to see how this megadeal affects Decker's Detroit future, but the defending NFC North champions have two key parts of a high-stakes offseason journey with the St. Brown and Sewell deals. In all likelihood, a third Goff contract will be next.
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