Breathe easy, Detroit Lions fans. The organization made an important move to keep one of the franchise's cornerstones in Detroit.
After last season, a bizarre NFL rule essentially guaranteed former Hawkeye Tyler Linderbaum's exit from Baltimore. The Ravens declined his fifth-year option in hopes of bringing him back on a long-term deal, but a long-term deal never materialized between the two sides.
A year later, during the 2026 offseason, an identical situation arose with Detroit Lions Jack Campbell, but the two sides luckily reached a long-term contract extension to keep him in the Motor City.
Jack Campbell, Lions reach a new four-year contract extension
At the end of April, the Lions decided to decline Campbell's fifth-year option, but it had nothing to do with his on-field production. He was an NFL All-Pro selection and was named the Pro Dick Butkus Award winner, given to the best LB in the league.
His option was declined because of the money attached to it, which would have paid him $21.925 million next season. For context, Fred Warner, one of the top linebackers in the NFL, is the highest-paid linebacker per year at around $21 million.
The situation was eerily similar to Linderbaum's, but unlike the Ravens, the Lions made the right decision.
Lions sign LB Jack Campbell to contract extension through 2030 season. pic.twitter.com/ZVvEqxyJan
— NFL (@NFL) May 21, 2026
The Lions locked up their budding superstar LB to a four-year contract extension, keeping him in Detroit through the 2030 season. Detroit didn't overthink it and made sure to keep one of their best players.
Sam LaPorta, another former Hawkeye and a staple of the Lions' offense, is also reportedly near the top of Detroit's priority list, because he is also a free agent after the 2026 season.
The Lions' smart move will pay long-term dividends
Of course, we are a little biased and feel like Campbell deserved a long-term deal from the get-go, but it is nice to see Detroit values him enough to get a deal done before summer training camp and workouts. Now both parties can focus solely on football.
Ever since the Lions selected him with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Campbell has gotten better every year. 2025 was by far his best season in a Lions uniform, establishing himself as a leader and one of Detroit's best players.
With Aidan Hutchinson back in the fold and projected to be the Lions' best defensive player, Campbell earned All-Pro honors, finishing with a team-leading 176 total tackles, including nine tackles for loss, and five sacks.
Keeping Campbell in Detroit was not only the right move for the organization but also a very smart one. If you're Detroit, you don't want a rising star to leave for nothing, and it was very clear he wanted to stay long-term.
Campbell solidifies the center of Detroit's defense, which regressed slightly last season after DC Aaron Glenn took the New York Jets head coach job, and he is someone the franchise can build around for sustained future success.
They didn't overthink it and didn't mess around, getting a deal done less than a month after declining his fifth-year option. A well-deserved shoutout goes to Detroit!
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