Getty Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a contract to become the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions will not reach NFL free agency next offseason.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on April 24 that the Lions agreed to a 4-year contract worth more than $120 million with St. Brown. The deal will also include $77 million guaranteed.
The contract will make St. Brown the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.
“Sources: The Lions have a deal for one of the top young talents, agreeing on an extension for WR Amon-Ra St. Brown,” Rapoport wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He gets 4 years and more than $120 million with $77 million guaranteed.”
Sources: The #Lions have a deal for one of the top young talents, agreeing on an extension for WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. He gets 4 years and more than $120M with $77M guaranteed.
The deal done by @JobyBranion of @VanguardSG makes St. Brown the highest-paid WR in the NFL.
Prior to the deal, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill had the highest average annual salary for any wide receiver at $30 million. St. Brown will just edge Hill with his extension.
St. Brown’s contract also includes the highest bonus ever guaranteed to an NFL wideout. Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp had the previous highest guaranteed money for a receiver with $75 million.
As a two-time Pro Bowler and 2023 first-team All-Pro receiver, St. Brown figures to be worth every penny for the Lions. Last season, he had 119 receptions, 1,515 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games.
Lions Sign Amon-Ra St. Brown to Historic Deal
The expectation coming into the offseason was that the Lions would sign St. Brown to a long-term deal. His rookie contract is set to expire after the 2024 season.
The Lions fulfilled those expectations with the deal on April 24.
Re-signing St. Brown was a no-brainer for Detroit. After being a fourth-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft, St. Brown starred as a rookie, posting 90 catches, 912 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in 2021.
Even after a stellar rookie season, St. Brown has continued to increase his production. He has been a Pro Bowler the past two seasons and then made first-team All-Pro in 2023.
Over his first three years, St. Brown has averaged 105 catches, 1,196 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns per season.
During 2023, St. Brown was third in the NFL in receiving yards and receptions. His 10 touchdowns were also tied for fourth most.
QB Jared Goff Next to Receive Contract Extension From Lions?
While St. Brown’s extension was far from a shock, it may surprise some that the Lions agreed to a new contract with the top receiver before quarterback Jared Goff.
Like St. Brown, Goff entered the offseason with only one year left on his current contract.
But there is nothing to suggest that Detroit won’t complete an extension for Goff this offseason.
The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett wrote on April 16 that “there’s a good chance” Goff receives his contract extension before the start of the 2024 season.
“There’s been discussions,” Goff told reporters at the team’s offseason workouts, via Birkett. “Yeah, my agent’s on top of it, he’s doing a good job and I trust those guys.”
SI.com’s Albert Breer argued there should be some urgency from the Lions to sign Goff to an extension sooner rather than later because the quarterback isn’t going to get any cheaper.
Goff’s next contract may not be record setting, but most analysts expect the veteran quarterback to be paid around $50 million on an average annual basis.