The Detroit Lions were already in a good spot in terms of salary cap space, then the league announced a record year-over-year increase to give them (and everyone else) a little more.
March is here, and with the new league year and free agency is coming. The Lions have signed a few players over the few weeks, including two of their own free agents and reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Mathieu Betts. They also unsurprisingly released veteran safety Tracy Walker.
The Lions don't really have any notable cuts they need to make to clear cap space. Defensive lineman John Cominsky might be one, and defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike might be another. But more generally, cap casualties of other teams could offer opportunities to add players.
With the new contracts for Badgley, Betts and Reeves-Maybin now hitting the balance sheet, what does the Lions' 2024 cap space look like as March 1 looms?
Updated Detroit Lions' 2024 cap space as March 1 looms
Betts got a one-year, $795,000 deal from the Lions. He said he turned down offers from other NFL teams that included guaranteed money, because he liked the fit in Detroit. He got a deal for the veteran's minimum, with no guaranteed money. If he doesn't work out, the Lions can recoup that entire $795,000 cap hit.
Badgley also got a one-year deal. He got a $167,500 signing bonus, and $257,500 of his $1.125 million base salary is guaranteed. It's not a very strong commitment to him as their kicker, since the Lions can recoup almost two-thirds (63 percent) of his deal if they cut him ($727,500).
Reeves-Maybin's two-year deal has a $3.25 million cap hit for 2024.
With those three deals on the books as they are currently, according to Over The Cap, the Lions now have about $53.2 million in cap space (seventh-most in the league). There are some moves out there (extensions, restructures, etc.) that could create more, but the Lions remain in a very good spot as March 1 looms and the start of free agency will follow soon after.