Huge Lions contract update shows Packers' Micah Parsons trade threw a wrench in Detroit's plans in more ways than one

Another market reality

This is a proof that every deal has repercussions around the league, especially such a big one. Last week, Pittsburgh Steelers' TJ Watt was the highest-paid edge defender in football, making $41 million a year. Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett had signed an extension with $40 million on yearly average months before. It was a linear progression.

But when the Packers decided to trade for Micah Parsons, it was basically a free agent negotiation. The player had leverage to apply his terms, and the Packers were fine with that model because they were acquiring a superstar.

Green Bay moved the market significantly up by giving Parsons a $46.5 million average—it's a four-year, $186 million contract extension, with extra $2 million available in incentives.

Micah Parsons has been more productive than Hutchinson, but the Lions' player is one year younger and was playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level before his injury last season. Even if you think Parsons is better, that's just how the market works: The next top guy will usually become the highest-paid at his position. That's how Jordan Love got $55 million a year, more than Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen had at the time.

It's easy to project that the Lions would be comfortable paying Hutchinson, let's say, $42 million a year to make him the highest-paid edge rusher in football. But this week's price is not last week's price anymore. To reset the market, the Lions will have to pay $5 million a year more than previously expected.

It shouldn't be a big issue, but the Lions will have a tight financial situation over the next few years. They've already paid Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Kerby Joseph, Alim McNeill, Taylor Decker. Jameson Williams also got his extension right before the season, while Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta could soon get their deals as well. It's just a lot, and everything will matter.

That's the big difference in comparison to the Packers. While Green Bay's cap situation isn't exactly comfortable, it has already paid their most important players.

Now, not only will the Lions have to handle Micah Parsons' impact on the football field, they will feel his impact on the cap sheet.