The Detroit Lions have had a very busy Wednesday. They’ve reportedly come to terms on a four-year, $112 million contract with offensive tackle Penei Sewell, making him the new highest-paid player at that position.
This extension is reportedly the largest given to an offensive lineman in NFL history, with a staggering $85 million guaranteed. The $85 million is approximately 75% of the contract’s total value. He will be making approximately $28 million per year on average, the most of any other tackle in the NFL.
This news comes just a few hours after it was reported that the Lions have also agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension with standout wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Sewell, 23, just completed his third NFL season. Drafted by Detroit with the seventh pick in 2021, it took almost no time for him to become one of the best at his position at right tackle. He’s been to two Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2023. And he’s so young that there’s room for him to grow and get even better.
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The Lions have made a stunning turnaround in only a handful of years. In 2021, Sewell’s first year in the NFL, the Lions went 3-13-1 under first-year head coach Dan Campbell. Then, in 2022, they went 9-8, missing the playoffs by just one game. In 2023, the 12-5 Lions won the NFC North, then won two playoff games before falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship.
Sewell has been there for all of that, as has St. Brown. They’ve helped build a winning culture in Detroit, and now they get to stay and keep working to win the Lions that Super Bowl trophy they’ve always wanted.
