World
2024.04.25 18:55 GMT+8

Detroit Lions reach record deals with WR St. Brown, OT Penei Sewell

Updated 2024.04.25 18:55 GMT+8
CGTN

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (#14) of the Detroit Lions looks on after the 31-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football Conference Divisional Game at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, January 21, 2024. /AP

The Detroit Lions have reached contract extensions with two key members of their offensive group, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

St. Brown will sign a four-year, $120 million deal that includes $77 million guaranteed. It matches the contract of Tyreek Hill with the Miami Dolphins in total and average salaries but has the most guaranteed money in a single contract for any wide receiver in NFL history.

"I can't wait. I'm here, four more years," St. Brown posted on Instagram. He was drafted by the Lions with the No. 112 pick in 2021 and had an explosive 2023 season. He recorded 115 catches for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games. The 24-year-old was selected for the Pro Bowl for the second straight time and the first-team All-Pro for the first time.

Sewell will ink a four-year, $112 million extension that includes $85 million guaranteed. That number and his average annual salary of $28 million are both league-highest for an offensive lineman. Like St. Brown, he became a Po Bowler for the second consecutive time and made his first-team All-Pro debut in the 2023 campaign.

Offensive tackle Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions runs a drill in practice in Allen Park, Michigan, June 3, 2021. /AP

The Lions had a surprisingly successful season in 2023. They finished the regular season with a 12-5 record and led the National Football Conference (NFC) North. The team beat the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Game and the NFC Divisional Games, respectively. In their first NFC Championship Game in 32 years, the Lions lost to the San Francisco 49ers.

Both St. Brown and Sewell made key contributions to the Lions' success last season, but their best-performing player was quarterback (QB) Jared Goff. He completed 407 of his 605 passes to post 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions.

Goff is in the final year of his four-year, $134 million contract for the 2024 season. The Lions have every reason to retain him for more years. Securing extensions with both St. Brown and Sewell can be helpful in convincing Goff to stay.

Copyright © 

RELATED STORIES