Detroit Lions news: Ben Johnson, Sam LaPorta, a popular draft fit, the Super Bowl window

Here are some additional news notes around the Lions right now.

After Tuesday's release of veteran safety Tracy Walker, the Lions now have $50.3 million in salary cap space (still eighth-most in the league, via Over The Cap). Their dead money balance for 2024, with $7.3 million in dead money attached to Walker's pre-June 1 release to go with the $5.5 million in cap savings, is also now up to a little over $23 million.

As expected and obvious, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler (subscription required) has noted that contract extensions for Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell are on the Lions' radar this offseason, with Goff as something of a priority. Fowler added how the extensions for St. Brown and Sewell could impact the budget to keep guard Jonah Jackson.

Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac naturally added Taylor Decker, who's entering the final year of his contract, to the Lions' extension docket this offseason.

New Lions' edge rusher Mathieu Betts, the reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player after tallying 18 sacks for the BC Lions last season, talked about his opportunity in Detroit.

Former Lions' safety Brock Marion is on the coaching staff of the UFL's Michigan Panthers for 2024. Marion played his final NFL season, 2004, in Detroit.