Detroit Lions face cap crisis: Restructuring key contracts to free up funds
The Detroit Lions find themselves in a precarious financial situation as they navigate the 2026 season with less than $5 million in cap space. Alarmingly, they are $10 million over the cap in effective cap space. This predicament stems from a series of significant contract extensions awarded to prominent players within the organization. To ensure they can be active participants in this year’s free agency, the Lions will have to make some strategic adjustments.
Navigating the cap space maze
General Manager Brad Holmes is poised to make critical decisions that will reshape the team’s financial landscape. By leveraging resources like OverTheCap’s salary cap calculator, analysts have identified several potential moves that could help the Lions alleviate their cap constraints and create the necessary space to pursue new talent.
Restructuring Jared Goff’s contract
Quarterback Jared Goff is currently facing a hefty cap number of $69.6 million for the 2026 season, comprised of a $55 million base salary and an additional $14.6 million in prorated bonuses. The Lions can restructure Goff’s contract by converting a portion of his salary into bonus money while also pushing some of it into a void year at the end of his deal. With a void year already established for 2029, the Lions can significantly lower Goff’s base salary to approximately $1.3 million. By redistributing his compensation, they could create an impressive $40.275 million in cap space, splitting the bonus money between 2026 and 2029.
Maximizing Amon-Ra St. Brown’s potential
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown carries a cap number of $33.11 million for 2026, including a base salary of $27.5 million and $5.610 million in bonuses. The Lions have room to maneuver by restructuring his deal, potentially adding to a void year in 2029. However, caution is warranted, as this approach could lead to complications down the line, especially with looming extensions for promising players like Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Brian Branch, and Sam LaPorta. If the Lions proceed with caution, they could reduce St. Brown’s cap hit to just over $12 million in 2029 and free up more than $21 million in cap space for this offseason by converting a portion of his salary into bonuses.
Revisiting D.J. Reed’s contract
Cornerback D.J. Reed, who signed a three-year, $48 million contract last offseason, faced an injury-plagued season after showing promise initially. The Lions have an opportunity to adjust his financial obligations by lowering his base salary from $14.49 million to $1.3 million and redistributing the remaining amount between a bonus in 2026 and his void years extending into 2030. This restructuring could yield around $10.552 million in cap space for the upcoming season.
Potential roster cuts
In addition to restructuring contracts, the Lions may also consider parting ways with players who have not met performance expectations. Offensive lineman Graham Glasgow has struggled to produce at an elite level over the past two seasons amid a backdrop of offensive line dysfunction. This could position him as a potential cap casualty as the Lions seek to recalibrate their roster and financial commitments.
As the Lions weigh these options, their decisions will significantly impact their ability to make strategic acquisitions and strengthen their roster for the 2026 season. The path ahead may be challenging, but with careful planning and execution, the Lions can navigate these cap constraints and emerge as contenders in the free agency market.
