Lions planning to keep core intact after Aidan Hutchinson deal
Since the spring of 2024, the Detroit Lions have signed nine players to contracts worth a total of nearly $1 billion.
And yet in a way -- and in a testament to how well this team has drafted -- their work is just beginning.
The Lions have four key players from their 2023 draft class-- running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta, linebacker Jack Campbell and safety Brian Branch -- who will be eligible for their first NFL contract extensions after this season.
In recent years, Detroit had a massive challenge to rebuild its roster, which it successfully navigated. Now the challenge will be keeping that roster together.
Their upcoming busy offseason is just one of the many reasons why the Lions wanted to finalize the deal they completed last week with standout Aidan Hutchinson. The organization wanted clarity on Hutchinson's contract numbers, it wanted to structure the deal with cap flexibility to re-sign its other key players, and it knew the challenges ahead.
With Hutchinson now signed to a four-year, $180 million extension that includes $141 million guaranteed, the Lions can begin preparing for another challenging offseason.
In the last two years, the Lions have re-signed Hutchinson, quarterback Jared Goff, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, safety Kerby Joseph, defensive tackle Alim McNeill, offensive tackle Taylor Decker, running back David Montgomery and wide receiver Jameson Williams to contracts totaling $968.5 million.
League sources said the Lions have a plan to keep as many of their key unsigned players as possible, and to keep open their window to win for as long as possible.
Gibbs' situation will be interesting and challenging. The Lions have the star running back under contract next season, followed by a fifth-year option on him in 2027, and then have franchise tags at their disposal.
But Gibbs has proven to be one of the best running backs -- and players -- in the NFL. Teams sometimes are hesitant to reward running backs too early, yet Gibbs' accomplishments will warrant attention.
LaPorta is expected to be operating in a market in which tight ends sometimes are easier to re-sign. As a 2023 second-round pick, LaPorta does not have a fifth-year option on his contract as Gibbs does, and would be eligible to become a free agent sooner.
Campbell is a player the Lions respect and want to keep, and linebacker salaries are friendly enough that a deal could be worked out between the two sides. The Lions drafted Campbell with the 18th overall selection in 2023 -- six picks after Gibbs -- and also have a fifth-year option on his deal for 2027.
Many sources believe Branch, the Lions' other second-round pick in 2023, has the chance to become one of the NFL's highest-paid safeties.
But the Lions have made so many strong draft-day decisions that they now have the types of difficult decisions that most franchises would want to have. And the further they go this season, and the better those players perform, the more money they are likely to command.
But these are the problems that any team would welcome. The Lions already have spent close to $1 billion to retain the core of their team. And their next deals, which are coming, will put them over the $1 billion threshold.
Darren Rizzi Defends Himself Amid Criticism Over Mounting Mistakes with Broncos Special Teams
Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator for the Denver Broncos, has responded to the mounting criticism surrounding his unit's recent performance, which has been marked by a series of costly mistakes. Despite the growing frustration from fans and analysts alike, Rizzi defended himself, acknowledging the errors while expressing his commitment to making the necessary corrections.
“We’ve had some mistakes, and I’m the first to own up to them,” Rizzi said in a press conference following the Broncos’ most recent game. “It’s been a tough stretch, but I believe in the work we’re putting in, and I’m confident that we’ll get this right. Special teams is about consistency, and we’ve been inconsistent. That’s on me, but we’re working hard to fix it.”
The special teams unit has come under fire recently for critical penalties, missed opportunities, and poor execution on key plays. Whether it’s on kickoff returns, field goals
“I understand the frustration,” Rizzi continued. “This is a performance-driven league, and the mistakes we’ve made have cost us. But at the same time, I’m focused on making sure that we take accountability and improve. The last thing I want is for these errors to define us. We’ve got a good group here, and I’m confident that we can turn things around.”
Rizzi, who has had a solid track record as a special teams coordinator throughout his career, emphasized that his primary goal is to help the Broncos succeed as a whole. While the errors have certainly weighed heavily on him, Rizzi stressed that he is committed to working with his players to get them on the right track.
“I’ve been in this game long enough to know that you’re going to have tough stretches,” he said. “But how you respond is what matters. We’re going to stay focused, keep working, and keep pushing for better results. That’s the mentality we need, and I’ll make sure we get there.”
As the Broncos prepare for their next matchup, Rizzi’s ability to rally his special teams unit and address the areas of concern will be critical to the team’s success. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the unit can bounce back from its recent struggles and perform at the level expected of them.
