From $40 million under to $40 million over: How Lions' cap situation will flip next year and how they can manage it
A few weeks back, before the Detroit Lions re-signed or added more than 20 players during the free agency period, we assessed the team’s salary cap situation for the next two seasons.
With a 9.3% year-to-year increase of the cap, plus an additional $27 million in carryover from the previous season, the Lions were working with approximately $50 million in space before coming to terms on any new agreements.
The hook with that tantalizing figure is Detroit has some big bills coming due in 2026, tied to the lucrative extensions signed by Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill and Taylor Decker last year.
Following this month’s spending spree, which included adding one of the top available cornerbacks at a market-rate deal, let’s take a look at the Lions’ recalibrated finances.