In April, NFL teams are mostly focused on the last stages of the pre-draft process. However, every organization has other business problems that must be addressed, and the Detroit Lions have a few key players set to receive significant contract extensions soon.
In terms of who will receive a new contract first, the Lions have declared that quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown are their top priorities this offseason. Both are expected to be among the highest-paid players in their positions, which, while clear, does not mean negotiations will be simple.
Contract discussions are rarely straightforward when large sums of money are involved. The squad seeks a structure that will benefit them. The player wants as much money as possible. The player’s agent wants surface facts that will make them appear good when published without being scrutinized by reporters.
As other quarterbacks and wide receivers across the league sign or approach new contracts, the costs for Goff and St. Brown rise as well.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter featured on the most recent episode of the “Locked On Lions” podcast, speaking with host Matt Dery about a variety of Lions-related issues.
Adam Schefter hints at urgency for Lions on new deals for Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown
Schefter of course talked about the looming contract extensions for Goff and St. Brown.
“To me, I think it’d be better to do all these extensions sooner rather than later,” Schefter said. “There’s going to be some big quarterback deals that get done at some point this summer, Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love. Once those deals get done, the number on Jared Goff I would imagine would only go up. And, it’s similar for the wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has proven himself to be one of the best young wide receivers in the game. Ja’Marr Chase wants a new deal, Tee Higgins wants a new deal, Jaylen Waddle wants a new deal, CeeDee Lamb wants a new deal. Lots of wide receivers want new deals.”
“So, you could act now or wait. And, I would imagine the agents of these players perhaps might want to wait. Because the longer they wait, the more the price is going to go up. If you’re the Lions, to me, you act sooner, because the price is going to go up. So, there’s a dance in there that they’re doing, and I’m sure they’ll figure out a way to get these deals done at some point this offseason.”
There’s no reason to be concerned that Goff and St. Brown’s new contracts aren’t yet finalized. If this situation persists three months from now, there may be cause for alarm. The level of urgency Schefter hinted at for the Lions, however, is quite genuine, given the rest of the quarterback and wide receiver markets remain active.
