The Detroit Lions are now full-force into the offseason, with a couple coaching staff changes to formally announce. Free agency starts in about a month, and it's pre-draft season with rampant mock drafts and the scouting combine fast approaching.
Of course, along with all the free agency and draft speculation, the Lions have some contract extensions on their agenda this offseason-Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown are the headliners there.
Here's a look at some Lions' stories worth noting.
A report about Amon-Ra St. Brown's contract extension
We took our stab at projecting what a contract extension for Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown could look like as he now enters the final year of his rookie deal. Something north of $20 million per year feels certain.
NFL analyst Cam Marino has passed along indications from a source about where St. Brown's new deal will land, essentially confirming the projections.
"Source: The Detroit Lions and star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown are in discussions that would give St. Brown’s contract an extension of at least three years at an annual salary of ~$25M. Extending St. Brown is a priority for the Lions as they enter their offseason."
At least three years and around $25 million per year for St. Brown is not a revolutionary notion, well-sourced or more rooted in speculation.
Mathieu Betts talks about why Detroit Lions were best fit for him
After having him in for a workout in December, the Lions signed reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Mathieu Betts earlier this week. He had 18 sacks in 18 games for the BC Lions last season, which caught the attention of multiple NFL teams and made him the top CFL free agent available. The Lions certainly need pass rush help.
Betts had three workouts after last season and at least one other offer from an NFL team, which apparently included guaranteed money. His one-year deal with the Lions does not include any guaranteed, but Betts told CFL reporter John Hodge why Detroit was the best fit for him.
"That’s the roster we were the most confident that I could that crack,” Betts said in a videoconference this week. “It was the first workout that I had this offseason and the chemistry, the energy, the discussions I’ve had with the staff there just felt right.”
Betts also talked about what the Lions told him they liked about him.
"The one thing they told me that popped off film is they saw somebody that was working hard,” Betts said. “And after they got that box checked, then they started looking at different athletic capacities and football capacities.”
Betts got a chance in the NFL with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted rookie in 2019, making it to final roster cuts before heading back home to play (he's from Montreal). Now, with four years of pro football experience, he say he's ready for a fresh opportunity in the NFL.
"I don’t think there’s anything that I did five years ago that I don’t do better now,” Betts said. “So I feel like I’m in a better situation football-wise to make an NFL roster.”
J.J. Watt sees higher level as attainable for Aidan Hutchinson
At the Pro Bowl games, Aidan Hutchinson said he felt like had "many levels to unlock."
"I feel like I took so many strides this year, and I'm just looking for, I think there's still so many levels to unlock. I never put limitations on myself or my ability or this team. So, the sky will always be the limit."
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required) was on the ground in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. CBS analyst J.J. Watt, before he went viral for his change in hairstyle, spoke about Hutchinson and the obvious need for the Lions to add someone opposite him.
"Aidan’s always going to get double-teamed and chipped,” Watt said . “That’s just a fact of the matter when you’re a premier pass rusher in this league. But if you can get somebody on the other side that can take advantage of the one-on-ones, then that’s when you really start to help your team.”
Can Hutchinson elevate himself into the elite class of edge rushers and vie for the sack title?
"I don’t see why not,” Watt said of Hutchinson’s potential moving forward. “I think he has the work ethic, he has the drive, he has the skill set. I have no reason to believe he wouldn’t be. I also think it’s awesome to see him get drafted there, in Detroit, with Dan Campbell and everything that’s come. Some situations just fit and make sense and that’s one that does.”
David Blough moves into coaching
David Blough's next step when he was done playing has trended toward coaching, and on Thursday that step became official when the Washington Commanders announced he will be their assistant quarterbacks coach.
Blough came to the Lions via a trade before the 2019 season. He made five starts in place of an injured Matthew Stafford that season, before sticking as a backup through the first year under Dan Campbell in 2021. After spending time with the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals in 2022, making two starts for Arizona late in that season, he came back to Detroit
Teddy Bridgewater's plan to retire was revealed in December, and he's indeed calling in a career to take the head coaching job at his high school alma mater. Now another Lions' backup quarterback from this past season is moving into coaching.