Levi Onwuzurike’s Contract Details: Lions Bet on Potential With Incentive-Heavy Deal
The Detroit Lions’ decision to bring back defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike came with a lower-than-expected price tag, but plenty of upside. Initially reported as a one-year, $5.5 million deal, the actual contract is structured as a one-year, $4 million agreement with $3.5 million guaranteed and up to $1.5 million in performance-based incentives.
Onwuzurike, who played 16 games last season after overcoming a serious back injury, is now locked into Detroit’s defensive front for 2025. His base salary and signing bonus ensure he’ll be on the 53-man roster, while his cap hit remains relatively low, ranking 64th among 245 interior defensive linemen. With no void years, his deal won’t impact the Lions’ shrinking 2026 salary cap, giving Detroit flexibility moving forward.
The structure of this deal reflects the Lions’ confidence in Onwuzurike’s ability to build on his strong 2024 season while also protecting themselves in case of setbacks. If he meets performance incentives, this could end up being one of the best value contracts of the offseason.
Lions Reward Levi Onwuzurike with Guaranteed Money and Performance Bonuses
