The Detroit Lions have learned from past mistakes with contract negotiations. The way that the team handled the contract situation of Ndamukong Suh left something to be desired. However, the team has learned and locked up their best defensive player. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions have signed linebacker DeAndre Levy to an extension.
Team President Tom Lewand acknowledged that re-signing Levy was a priority. “I think it benefits everyone when you’re able to come to a decision and be able to move forward,” Lewand said. “I think it’s a tremendous credit to DeAndre that he knew what he wanted and knew that he wanted to be a part of this organization moving forward and we were able to work something out. And I think that benefits everybody and when you send a message through the guys you extend, the kind of guy that DeAndre is on the field and off the field is representative of what we want to be about and he in turn wants to be a part of this organization for a long time, and that’s great.”
When he isn't riding on top of airplanes or sledding down an active volcano, DeAndre Levy has another hobby. The former third-round pick out of Wisconsin in 2009 has emerged as one of the league's most talented linebackers.
Levy was entering the final year of his contract, and previous to the signing, Lions GM Martin Mayhew commented on several occasions that re-signing Levy was an "off-season priority".
“I think we’re working that out in the contract,” Levy joked Tuesday. “Like, I’ll re-sign if he walks on a plane with me. No, that’s a terrible joke.”
Over the past two seasons, Levy has been playing at an exceptionally high level. Although he was snubbed for the Pro Bowl, his fellow players voted him number 66 among the NFL Network's Top 100 players of 2015. Levy set career-highs with 151 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2014. In 2013, he tied for second in the NFL with six interceptions.
The four-year extension is worth $33.72 million ($8.43 million per year), and only $20 million of it is guaranteed.