By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions have found themselves in a rare and enviable position: they’ve done so well in the NFL Draft that they’re now faced with the challenge of keeping their homegrown talent. It’s a good problem to have—locking up players you were right about—but it’s still one that requires smart financial maneuvering.
This offseason, the Lions are once again staring down a few important contract extensions, which has caught the attention—and concern—of some analysts. On the April 8 episode of Pro Football Talk Live, host Mike Florio and former NFL safety Devin McCourty talked about Detroit’s recent spending habits. Florio raised a cautionary flag, saying, “They’ve been giving away and giving out big contracts to hold this team together. At some point, though, you’re not going to be able. You’re going to get deeper into their big contracts, and they’re not earning it anymore.”
It’s a fair warning, but right now, there doesn’t seem to be much cause for alarm. The Lions have handled their cap situation with a level of care and clarity that suggests they know exactly what they’re doing.
Take a look at who they’ve already paid: Amon-Ra St. Brown, one of the league’s top five receivers; Jared Goff, a quarterback who has steadily regained his form and confidence; Penei Sewell, a dominant force at tackle who’s easily a top-two player at his position; and Taylor Decker, their reliable left tackle. All of them play premium positions—spots where every team either spends or struggles. Then there’s Alim McNeill, a defensive tackle who may be the most debatable of the group, but even he makes sense in today’s NFL landscape where talented interior linemen are growing in value. When healthy, he’s been more than solid.
Looking ahead, their next big decision revolves around Aidan Hutchinson. He plays arguably the most important position on defense—edge rusher—and he’s already being discussed as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Whatever Detroit ends up paying him, it’ll likely be justified. Fortunately, they’ve still got time. Hutchinson has two years left on his rookie deal once the fifth-year option is picked up, meaning his payday won’t impact the salary cap for a while.
After Hutchinson, the situation becomes a bit more nuanced. Safety Kerby Joseph is an early candidate for an extension, but he might not be at the top of the priority list. Still, with Brian Branch on a rookie contract holding down the other safety spot, the Lions could strike a financial balance in that area.
The truth is, the team has some breathing room before their next wave of stars hits the negotiation table. And in the meantime, they’ve continued to make smart, cost-effective moves. This offseason alone, they locked in linebacker Derrick Barnes for just $8 million per year. They also signed D.J. Reed—considered the top cornerback in free agency—for a modest $16 million. Even Levi Onwuzurike’s 2025 deal came at a bargain: only $4 million.
As Detroit keeps building through the draft—and they’ve done a great job under GM Brad Holmes—they’ll continue to have the flexibility to spend where it counts. If they stick to that blueprint, they have little to worry about when it comes to long-term spending.