The Lions retained two foundational members of their offense on the eve of the draft. Both receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell agreed to monster extensions, but another large priority exists on the offseason to-do list.
Quarterback Jared Goff is in line for an extension of his own, and talks on that front are underway. However, progress has not come about as it did in the case of St. Brown and Sewell. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Goff and the Lions are not close to striking a deal now.
The former Rams first overall selection has thrived in the Motor City, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2022 and following that up with another strong outing this past season. Goff helped lead Detroit to a division title and the NFC championship game, posting a career-high completion percentage (67.2%) and a combined 34:12 touchdown-to-interception ratio along the way.
Even though the Lions drafted Hendon Hooker last year, therefore, Goff remains a central figure in the team’s short- and intermediate-term future. The latter is due just over $27.3M in 2024, the final year of his contract. Considering where the top of the QB market currently stands, the 29-year-old could be in line for a considerable raise. A new Lions agreement could come in at an annual average value of $40M or more, though the price point of an extension is no doubt a potential sticking point in negotiations.
With the St. Brown and Sewell pacts on the books, the Lions enter this weekend’s draft with $26M in cap space. A Goff extension could increase that figure, but for now, Detroit’s cap sheet is in line to carry a $32.3M charge in 2024 for Goff. His value could increase further with another strong showing in 2024, provided no agreement on a new deal is reached. Whether or not the current gap can be bridged will be a major Lions storyline throughout the offseason.
More must-reads: