Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown agrees to four-year, $120 million extension

The God of the Sun will persist in illuminating Detroit.

Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Lions have agreed to a four-year contract extension, keeping the star receiver in Detroit through the 2028 season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources informed of the pact.

Rapoport reports that the extension is valued at over $120 million in fresh funds and includes $77 million in total guarantees.

Earning more than $30 million per year on the four-year extension makes St. Brown the highest-paid WR in terms of annual average. The $77 million in guarantees is the highest among all wide receivers, leapfrogging Cooper Kupp‘s $75 million.

St. Brown’s extension comes on the same day Detroit made Penei Sewell the newest highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL on a per year basis, agreeing to terms with the tackle on a four-year, $112 million extension that includes $85 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported.

The wide receiver, who was a fourth-round pick in 2021, significantly exceeded the expectations of his rookie contract. According to the contract, he was set to earn a base salary of $3.366 million in its final year.

As a rookie, St. Brown quickly rose to become the Lions’ primary receiver, and he has continued to improve each season. The USC graduate has received two Pro Bowl selections and first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 over his three-season career. He has also racked up 3,588 total receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.

In 2023, the dynamic playmaker raised his game to new heights, earning 1,515 yards and 10 TDs on 119 catches, all career-highs, helping the Lions bury 30-plus-years of postseason futility and capturing the club’s first division title since 1993. Among all receivers, St. Brown finished the season third in yards, third in catches, tied for fourth in touchdowns, third in first downs (75), tied for third in catches per game (7.4), and fifth in yards per contest (94.7).

When quarterback Jared Goff needed a play, in stepped St. Brown, finding open grass and snatching the spiraling pigskin out of the air.

In the wild-card round in January, the trust between Goff, the Lions, and St. Brown was clearly displayed. The Lions were barely ahead of the Los Angeles Rams by 1 point, facing a second-and-9 after the two-minute warning. Rather than forcing L.A. to use their final timeout by running the ball, Goff chose to pass it to St. Brown. He caught the ball on a comeback route from the slot, gaining 11 yards and effectively securing the game. Had St. Brown failed to catch the ball, the Rams could have stayed in the game. Instead, the catch secured Detroit’s first playoff victory in 32 years, showcasing the shining example of trust among the team.

St. Brown is a meticulous route runner, easily outsmarting defenders and creating clear paths for Goff. With his strong and steady hands, the wide receiver hardly ever fumbles the ball. According to Next Gen Stats, in 2023, St. Brown had only two drops, resulting in a drop rate of 1.2%, the lowest among all wide receivers with at least 125 targets. He embodies the full package as a player, demonstrating his ability to triumph at every level and providing the capacity for run-after-catch.

St. Brown unquestionably merited his substantial salary increase according to all measurements. His new contract fittingly boosts his remuneration to the top tier among his contemporaries.

The $120 million extension gives St. Brown $30 million per year in new money, matching Tyreek Hill as the top wideout in annual value. Adding the $3.366 million ARSB is due in 2024, the complete pact averages to roughly $24.67 million over the next five seasons.

The Lions were wise to lock down their No. 1 wideout now as contracts for the position continue to escalate. With Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk among the receivers in line for new deals, costs at the position are only headed northward.

St. Brown played a crucial part in helping Detroit recover from years of being a constant loser. The new extension guarantees that the Sun God will remain involved in the Lions’ ongoing pursuit of their first Super Bowl in franchise history.