Jack Campbell, the Detroit Lions' defensive captain, has finally been extended by the team. The rising star is secured and back in the fold with the team for the next four years, per Ian Rapoport, on what the NFL insider describes as a 'big money' deal.
The details of the contract were released shortly after the signing was made public, with Rapoport reporting the deal to be worth $81 million over four years. That's an AAV of $20.25 million, and it comes with $51.5 million guaranteed. Campbell is now the second-highest paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL, just behind Fred Warner.
Campbell, one of the Lions' first round picks back in 2023, has gone from being a tidy co-star next to Alex Anzalone to the best linebacker on the Lions' depth chart. He had an excellent 2025 campaign despite Detroit missing the postseason, notching 89 solo tackles and five sacks, in addition to three forced fumbles. He was an All-Pro this past season, as well.
This was a huge deal to get done after the Lions had chosen not to exercise Campbell's fifth-year option, but decided to do so for Jahmyr Gibbs. It never felt like the two sides were at any sort of impasse, however.
Campbell shared the news via the Lions' social media, telling fans:
"I just want to let you guys know I signed my extension. I'm excited to be back, I'm excited to be here long term, now, it's time to go win a Super Bowl. Go Lions!"
It's extremely difficult to find a talent like that of Campbell's, and even more difficult to be able to immediately replace the impact of Anzalone with a younger defender like him.