News Now :5 new moves the Lions can make to free up over $46 million

5 new moves the Lions can make to free up over $46 million in cap space before free agency 

 

 

Before the onset of free agency, the Detroit Lions have secured the re-signing of several players, including kicker

Michael Badgley, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, tight end Shane Zylstra, and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.

 

However, these signings are relatively minor. As of Tuesday afternoon, and awaiting the official terms of Moseley’s

purported one-year contract, the Lions possess the seventh-largest cap space in the league ($51.48 million, according to Over The Cap).

 

Consequently, the Lions are not compelled to undertake any actions to

further clear cap space to pursue their objectives in free agency. Nonetheless, if they are contemplating significant

moves, albeit uncertain, they have the flexibility to do so. Augmenting their financial resources is always advantageous.

 

Delving deeper, the Lions could generate additional cap space through relatively straightforward maneuvers. These

wouldn’t necessitate a plethora of outright cuts, as there are few significant cap figures and perhaps only one

problematic contract remaining on the 2024 roster. Notably, one apparent cut, safety Tracy Walker, was executed in February.

 

Expanding upon and updating a similar list from February, here are five actions the Lions could take to increase their cap space by nearly $47 million as free agency approaches:

 

1. Release John Cominsky to create $4.6 million in cap space:

Cominsky proved to be a valuable asset for the Lions in 2022, transitioning from a waiver claim during the summer to a

pivotal member of the defensive line (registering four sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and five tackles for loss). He was

essentially a lock for re-signing last offseason and was subsequently retained on a two-year deal.

 

Cominsky appeared in all 16 games and started 11 contests last season, logging nearly the same number of snaps as he did in 2022 (569 compared to 556 in 2022). However, his production dipped,

recording only two sacks. Notably, he was surprisingly left out of the lineup for the regular-season finale, purportedly to provide him with rest ahead of the

playoffs. Despite playing 97 postseason snaps across all three games, he failed to make a significant impact.

 

Among the limited options for potential cuts for the Lions, Cominsky unfortunately stands out. If the team

makes additions to the defensive line, his $6.3 million cap hit would not align with his expected role.

 

Parting ways with Cominsky, before June 1, would free up $4.6 million in cap space while leaving a manageable $1.7 million in dead money.

Cleared Cap Space Tally: $4.6 million 

A challenging debut season in Detroit led many Lions fans to advocate for Sutton’s departure, despite him being only one year into the three-year deal he signed

last offseason. However, due to the structure of his contract, he will remain with the team until at least the next offseason.

 

Sutton was listed on the injury report with a toe issue late in the regular

season, raising questions about whether he was fully healthy during his struggles. Nonetheless, he will have the

opportunity to bounce back next season, ideally with a different assignment that doesn’t involve covering the opponent’s top wide receiver.

 

There is potential for restructuring Sutton’s contract, although he is not at risk of being cut or traded, as such moves would not benefit the Lions. Moreover,

his trade value is currently minimal. However, he may be open to a restructuring that reduces his 2024 cap hit of $12.68 million.

 

Restructuring Sutton’s contract would create $6,967,500 in cap space for the Lions, essentially rounding up to $6.96 million.

 

Cleared Cap Space Tally: $11.56 million

 

Extend Jared Goff’s contract to free up $20.8 million in cap space remains an imminent move for the Detroit Lions. While there have been no updates on this front yet, it’s anticipated that a contract extension for Goff will be finalized during this offseason. The specifics of the extension, such as its duration, new financial terms, and average yearly salary, will play a crucial role. However, if no progress is made by July and there are no indications of an impending deal, it will be cause for genuine concern.

 

Both parties are eager to continue their association, recognizing that they are

currently better off together than apart. Additionally, it’s uncommon for a starting quarterback, firmly entrenched in his role, to enter the final year of his

contract without an extension. Goff currently carries the highest cap hit on the Lions’ balance sheet for 2024, standing at $32.3 million. A contract

extension with Detroit, spanning a few more years, would inherently lower this figure, potentially by a significant margin.

 

According to Spotrac’s recent projection, Goff’s extension could span four years, amounting to $180 million, with $86.5 million guaranteed upon signing and $146.5 million essentially guaranteed.

This projected deal would reduce Goff’s 2024 cap hit to $15.5 million. Considering Over The Cap’s analysis, an extension for Goff would liberate $20,872,051 in cap

space. While this move is not currently prioritized on the pre-free agency list, its execution before the onset of free agency remains a possibility.

 

Restructuring Frank Ragnow’s contract presents an opportunity to free up $4.58 million in cap space for the Detroit Lions.

Following the Lions’ NFC Championship Game defeat against the San Francisco 49ers, there was speculation that Ragnow might consider retiring during

 

the offseason. However, less than two weeks later, at NFL Honors in Las Vegas, Ragnow firmly put any speculation about his immediate playing future to rest. He

emphasized that he is not retiring but simply needs a few weeks to prioritize his health before resuming his offseason routine.

 

Ragnow’s extensive list of injuries last season, reminiscent of the challenges in

the game “Operation,” understandably led to questions about his desire to continue playing after a difficult loss just one game away from the Super Bowl.

While it’s unlikely that Ragnow will continue playing into his 30s, it would be surprising if he didn’t fulfill his contract obligations.

 

Given that Ragnow has three years remaining on his current deal, with no fully guaranteed salary beyond 2024, there is flexibility to rearrange his

contract. By restructuring Ragnow’s contract, the Lions could generate $4,583,333 million in cap space, effectively rounding up to $4.58 million.

Extending Taylor Decker’s contract presents an opportunity for the Detroit Lions to free up $9.9 million in cap space.

Decker, who is entering the final year of his contract, has expressed a strong desire to remain with the Lions for the

entirety of his career. He emphasized his attachment to the team and his preference to stay long-term, highlighting his positive experience with the organization.

As the longest-tenured player on the team, Decker’s desire to be a Lion for life aligns with the team’s interests, considering his significant contributions

to one of the NFL’s top offensive lines. At 31 years old, Decker still has plenty of good years ahead of him, making him a valuable asset for the team.

Negotiating a contract extension for Decker should be a priority for the Lions this offseason, given his importance to

the team and the mutual interest in a long-term partnership. While the specifics of the extension, such as the

length and new terms, need to be worked out, it’s expected to be a relatively smooth process. Completing the extension could significantly reduce

Decker’s $19.1 million cap hit for the current year, providing the Lions with additional flexibility in managing their cap space.

 

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