The Detroit Lions had an impressive 2024 season. Detroit logged multiple franchise firsts, winning 15 games in the regular season and securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Unfortunately, it all came to an end in the Divisional Round against the Commanders. Now the Lions must upgrade the roster and try again in 2025.
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The Lions got an early start to the offseason by extending an important defensive player.
Detroit has agreed to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension with linebacker Derrick Barnes, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The contract includes $16 million fully guaranteed at signing.
Barnes missed the majority of the 2024 regular season after suffering a torn PCL and MCL in Week 3 against the Cardinals.
Barnes plays an important role in Detroit's defense, operating as a hybrid edge rusher and off-ball linebacker. The Lions love to run their base defense on first and second downs, which makes a player like Barnes incredibly valuable.
Barnes' biggest claim to fame in Detroit was his victory-sealing interception against the Buccaneers during the 2023 Divisional Round.
Now Barnes is guaranteed to play his best years in the NFL with the Lions.
Lions have now extended four players from their 2021 NFL Draft class
Lions general manager Brad Holmes deserves a lot of respect for the impressive rebuild he's pulled off in Detroit.
