When it comes to contract extensions, Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions have often worked in the dark. The Lions announced that Kerby Joseph signed a four-year, $86 million contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2029 season on Thursday and has more work to do, extending fellow 2022 classmates Jameson Williams and Aidan Hutchinson.
While all three players are deserving of the bag, the Lions have been tight-lipped, even sparking trade speculation over Williams’s future in Detroit. But while fans were fixated on the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, the Lions snuck in with some major contract news that may be the next step in making sure their core stays together.
Lions Exercise Fifth-Year Contract Options on Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams
The Lions announced that they have exercised the fifth-year contract options for Hutchinson and Williams on Thursday night. The moves lock up both players through the 2026 season and paves the way for a long-term contract extension in the near future.
Hutchinson will be the Lions’ biggest priority this offseason after an impressive three seasons in the league. The second overall pick from the 2022 draft has collected 28.5 sacks during his career and was on a blistering pace with 7.5 sacks in five games before suffering a broken leg last October. Now running at full speed, Hutchinson is due for a massive pay day and could be in line to compete to become the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL, surpassing Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase ($40.25 million annual average value).
Williams is a different situation. The 24-year-old has improved in each season since he was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 draft going from a 41-yard touchdown in his rookie year to catching 58 passes for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Williams enters a big fourth season in the quest for his contract but exercising his option provides flexibility for the Lions to work out a deal next offseason.
Either way, it’s great news for the Lions who have built a solid foundation under Brad Holmes. With both players in the fold, Detroit will remain favorites to capture a NFC title and could push for their first title in the Super Bowl era.
