When the Detroit Lions locked down quarterback Jared Goff with a four-year, $212 million extension in May 2024, they secured their franchise centerpiece but also set themselves up for some massive cap hits in the years ahead. Goff’s contract will cost Detroit $32.6 million in 2025 and a whopping $69.6 million in 2026.
With young stars like Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, Brian Branch, Sam LaPorta, and Jack Campbell soon due for big paydays of their own, the Lions need financial flexibility to keep their talented core together. Fortunately, one overlooked detail in Goff’s deal might be the key.
NFL analyst Mike Payton of A to Z Sports recently highlighted Goff’s contract’s “void year” — a year included in the deal that currently has no money attached to it. This empty year could allow the Lions to restructure Goff’s contract, spreading out his cap hit to create much-needed breathing room.
“2026 is the absolute best year to do that,” Payton wrote, explaining that restructuring could save Detroit between $40 million and $43 million on the 2026 cap, depending on the approach. The Lions could stick with the existing void year or add more, pushing cap charges into future years to give the team flexibility now.
This maneuver could be a game changer, freeing up space to extend multiple key players and keeping Detroit’s roster competitive as they push for a Super Bowl run.
Meanwhile, despite leading the Lions to one of the league’s most explosive offenses, Goff continues to fly under the radar in fantasy football circles. ESPN recently ranked him as just the NFL’s 16th-best quarterback for fantasy purposes — a spot many Lions fans will argue doesn’t reflect his on-field impact.
Hidden Clause in Jared Goff’s Contract Could Be a Cap-Saving Lifeline for the Lions
