Amon-Ra St. Brown has secured his position as the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver by inking a lucrative four-year, $120 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions. The 24-year-old, who ranked third among wide receivers in the 2023 NFL season, would have hit free agency in 2024 if he hadn’t signed the extension this Wednesday. The deal guarantees him $77 million and binds him to the Lions until 2029.
St. Brown’s new contract elevates him to the salary echelon occupied by Super Bowl champions and elite receivers like Cooper Kupp and Tyreek Hill. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, his annual salary of $30 million matches Hill’s, placing him at the top of the receiver salary chart.
The guaranteed money supplants the $75million offered to Kupp by the Rams.
‘At Ford Field, it’s empty but usually is rocking. I can’t wait. I’m here four more years. It’s up. It’s turnt. Detroit… what up though,’ St. Brown said while celebrating terms of his new deal in a post shared on his Instagram Story on Wednesday.
St. Brown’s journey with the Lions began when they drafted him out of USC in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, with the 112th overall pick. As he entered the final season of his rookie contract, he had already proven himself as a standout player.
His performance in the previous season earned him All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, contributing significantly to the Lions’ division title win, a feat they hadn’t achieved in thirty years. Additionally, his efforts helped the team secure two playoff victories in a single season, marking a significant milestone since their last NFL title in 1957.
Last season was particularly stellar for St. Brown, as he achieved career highs in receptions (119), receiving yards (1,515), and receiving touchdowns (10). Over his three seasons with the Lions, he has amassed impressive statistics, with 315 catches, 3,588 receiving yards, and 21 receiving touchdowns.
Reports indicate that the Lions have also reached a significant agreement with offensive tackle Penei Sewell, securing him on a four-year, $112 million deal. Brad Holmes, the general manager of the Detroit team, made Sewell his top pick when he drafted him seventh overall out of Oregon in 2021.
Sewell’s exceptional performance earned him a spot on the All-Pro team last season, showcasing his durability by starting in all 50 regular-season games and all three postseason games. His contributions played a pivotal role in the Lions’ journey to the NFC championship game, marking their first appearance in the conference championship since the 1991 season.
As Detroit prepares to host the NFL draft starting Thursday night, they hold the No. 29 pick overall in the first round, poised to continue building their roster for future success.
