The Detroit Lions are securing the future of two franchise cornerstones. They have agreed to long-term contract extensions with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell.

St. Brown agreed to a four-year, $120 million contract extension with $77 million in guaranteed money. His massive contract comes after he earned First Team All-Pro honors last season with 119 receptions for 1,515 yards and ten touchdowns. It’s the former USC standout's second consecutive 1,000-yard season. He earned Pro Bowl nods in both years.

Last season, St. Brown's performance was nothing short of impressive. He ranked third in receiving yards, second in catches, and third in touchdowns among wideouts. St. Brown also led the league with nine games of at least 100 yards and a staggering 677 yards after the catch.

The Lions selected St. Brown in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and signed him to a four-year, $4.26 million rookie scale contract. He outplayed the contract by collecting 3,588 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns in his first three seasons.

Meanwhile, the Lions signed Sewell to a four-year, $112 million contract extension with $85 million in guaranteed money. That contract will make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL regarding annual average value.

Sewell was Detroit’s first-round selection in the 2021 draft. Like St. Brown, he is a two-time Pro Bowler and a 2023 First Team All-Pro member. He missed only one game in his first three seasons and allowed one sack in 2023.

The former Oregon standout improved his performance with each passing season, starting with a 77 overall grade from Pro Football Focus during his rookie season. His mark went up to 80.6 in 2022 and 90.7 last year.

Barring any injury, St. Brown and Sewell will be bright spots in the resurgent Lions offense in the foreseeable future.

-Lance Fernandez