Detroit — The Detroit Lions will head into the summer break before next month's training camp with the knowledge they have their full draft class under contract. The team crossed the last name off the checklist Thursday afternoon, signing first-round pick Terrion Arnold.
Arnold's four-year deal will pay him north of $14 million. Additionally, as he is a first-round selection (No. 24 overall), the Lions will hold a fifth-year option for the 2028 season.
That figure will be determined by league salaries at that time, as well as Arnold's playing time and performance through his first three seasons. At minimum, the fifth-year option would be the average of the third- through 25th-highest salaries at his position the season before the option is executed.
"I was just blessed to be able to make it official," Arnold told The Detroit News before throwing out the first pitch at Comerica Park. "Now we can go get that Super Bowl. That's the only thing on my mind: Super Bowl or bust. Just like Alabama, National Championship or bust."
The bonus money hadn't hit Arnold's account when he arrived at Comerica Park, but he did confirm he was refreshing his banking app to see when it came through. For his first big purchase, he wants to buy his mom a car.
Although he has missed some time with a minor injury, Arnold has impressed during the early stages of the offseason program. Often paired with Carlton Davis III on the first-team defense, Arnold has shown fluid movement skills and good route anticipation, getting his hands on a number of throws and intercepting at least one pass off starting quarterback Jared Goff.
A two-year starter at Alabama, the 6-foot, 190-pound rookie intercepted five passes in his final collegiate season.
"He works the right way," Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend said. "He asks the right questions in the meetings and he just has fun on the field. I think the confidence is one of the most important things of a corner. He does have that. That's why he's here."
The selection of Arnold in the first round was an exclamation point on the team's offseason overhaul of the cornerback position. Prior to the draft, the Lions traded for Davis, signed Amik Robertson and re-signed Emmanuel Moseley. The Lions also added Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round of the draft.
Rakestraw signed his contract last week, while the team's four Day 3 selections inked their deals prior to rookie minicamp last month.
