Here in April, NFL teams are largely focused on the stretch run of the pre-draft process. But every team has other business matters that need attention, and the Detroit Lions have a few notable players lined up for noteworthy contract extensions soon.
In terms of who will have a new contract first, quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown are stated priorities for the Lions this offseason. Both are in line to be among the highest-paid players at their position, which while obvious also doesn't mean negotiations are cut-and-dry/easy.
When big dollars are in play, contract negotiations are rarely simple. The team wants a structure that benefits them. The player wants as much money as possible. The player's agent wants surface details that make them look good when they're put out there without scrutiny by reporters.
As other quarterbacks and wide receivers around the league get and approach getting new contracts, the prices for Goff and St. Brown inch upward too.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter appeared on the latest episode of the "Locked On Lions" podcast, talking with host Matt Dery about a wide range of Lions' topics.
Adam Schefter hints at urgency for Lions on new deals for Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown
Schefter of course talked about the looming contract extensions for Goff and St. Brown.
"To me, I think it’d be better to do all these extensions sooner rather than later,” Schefter said. “There’s going to be some big quarterback deals that get done at some point this summer, Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love. Once those deals get done, the number on Jared Goff I would imagine would only go up. And, it’s similar for the wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has proven himself to be one of the best young wide receivers in the game. Ja’Marr Chase wants a new deal, Tee Higgins wants a new deal, Jaylen Waddle wants a new deal, CeeDee Lamb wants a new deal. Lots of wide receivers want new deals."
"So, you could act now or wait. And, I would imagine the agents of these players perhaps might want to wait. Because the longer they wait, the more the price is going to go up. If you’re the Lions, to me, you act sooner, because the price is going to go up. So, there’s a dance in there that they’re doing, and I’m sure they’ll figure out a way to get these deals done at some point this offseason.”
There's no reason to be concerned new deals are not done for Goff and St. Brown right now. If it's still the case three months from now, then there can be real concern. The level of urgency Schefter hinted at for the Lions is very real though, as the rest of the quarterback and wide receiver markets keep moving.