The Detroit Lions surprised absolutely nobody in Detroit when they declined Jack Campbell’s fifth-year option. Outside of Allen Park, apparently this was shocking news. Some analysts started writing trade proposals. Others assumed we were broke and couldn’t afford him.
Wrong and wrong. This was Brad Holmes being smart with his money, not paying a fully guaranteed near $22 million in 2027. That doesn’t mean the Lions don’t want Campbell or won’t pay him. They definitely do and they definitely will.
Here are three ways Detroit can still take care of their All-Pro linebacker after making the financially savvy move to pass on that fifth-year option.
Make Campbell One of the Top Five Highest-Paid Linebackers
This feels like the least likely scenario, honestly. Campbell just made first team All-Pro and he’s 24 years old. The Lions are probably going to have to pay him big time.
In this scenario, Campbell gets a four-year extension worth $80 million. That puts him at $20 million average annual value, making him the second or third highest-paid linebacker in the league. It’s fair money, but knowing how this front office likes to take care of their guys, it might not be enough.
The contract would give Detroit manageable early cap hits of $5.97 million and $7.87 million in the first two years, with bigger numbers of $17.17 million and $21.67 million later. Dead money starts at $48 million, providing solid protection for both sides.
Make Campbell the Highest-Paid Linebacker by Average Annual Value
Now we’re talking. This approach gives Campbell a four-year extension worth $96 million, paying him about $24 million per year. He’d get $60 million guaranteed, tying him with Roquan Smith for the most guaranteed money ever given to a linebacker.
The Lions still get those friendly early cap hits at $8.17 million and $10.17 million, with the bigger numbers of $23.67 million and $28.67 million coming later. They could theoretically restructure in the later years if needed. Dead money protection starts at $60 million.
Give Campbell the Most Guaranteed Money for a Linebacker in NFL History
This is the full Holmes treatment. A four-year deal worth $104 million that makes Campbell the flat-out king among linebackers, both annually and in total guaranteed money. Smith’s $100 million deal would be dethroned.
Even with record-setting money, the Lions maintain those crucial early cap hits at $9.87 million and $11.47 million. The back-loaded structure hits $24.67 million and $32.67 million later, with $80 million in dead money protection up front.
Campbell earned first team All-Pro honors and anchored a defense that kept this team competitive. He’s exactly the kind of player Holmes has shown he’ll pay to keep. The only question is which level of “taking care of business” they choose.
So which contract scenario do you think Holmes pulls the trigger on, or are we overthinking this and Jack’s already got his bag locked up behind closed doors? Let me know below.
I’m all in on whatever Holmes decides here. The fact that we’re even having this conversation about paying a homegrown All-Pro linebacker is wild compared to what we’re used to. Give Jack his bag and keep building this thing the right way.
Look I love Jack Campbell, but 24 million a year is getting into some risky territory. I trust Holmes way more than I used to trust past front offices, but I just want to make sure we’re not tying ourselves down when we’ve got other holes to fill. Show me it works first.
Man, it’s nice to see the Lions actually wanting to KEEP their good players instead of letting them walk or trade them away. Holmes and Campbell are running this thing different and it feels real. Whatever deal they work out, I’m just happy we’re in this position.
The middle option feels right to me honestly. Make him the highest paid linebacker and put that guaranteed money there. He’s proven he’s elite and this front office has shown they back up players who perform. This is how you build a winning culture.