The Detroit Lions have made their first significant move of the offseason, signing linebacker Derrick Barnes to a three-year, $25.5 million extension with $16 million guaranteed. While the Lions’ admiration for Barnes has been evident, his contract raises some questions—particularly given his recent injury history and limited sample size as a starter.
Let’s break it all down and assign an overall grade.
What the Lions Are Getting in Barnes
Barnes has grown into an important piece of Detroit’s defense, particularly in the SAM linebacker role. This position demands versatility, requiring the ability to rush the passer, set the edge in run defense, and drop into coverage.
Barnes, originally a defensive end in college, developed his off-ball linebacker skills in the NFL, making a significant leap in 2023 when he won the starting MIKE linebacker job over first-round pick Jack Campbell. That season, Barnes posted:
81 tackles
5 tackles for loss
1 sack
1 forced fumble
He was off to a promising start at SAM linebacker in 2024 before suffering a season-ending MCL and PCL injury in Week 3. Assuming he makes a full recovery, Barnes should resume his role in 2025 and provide crucial depth across the linebacker unit.
Filling a Need Grade: A
Detroit values the SAM linebacker role highly, and Barnes has the unique skill set to thrive there. Given his trajectory and the importance of the position in Aaron Glenn’s defense, re-signing him was a priority.
Did the Lions Get Good Value?
The contract—three years, $25.5 million ($8.5M per year) with $16M guaranteed—places Barnes among the top 15 highest-paid linebackers in the league. For comparison, Miami’s Jordyn Brooks received a similar three-year, $26.25 million deal last offseason, despite having far more production than Barnes:
Career Stats Before Signing Their Deals:
Jordyn Brooks (55 starts): 513 tackles, 23 TFLs, 16 PDs, 1 INT, 2 FFs
Derrick Barnes (26 starts): 205 tackles, 12 TFLs, 4 PDs, 1 FF
While Barnes has shown growth, his body of work is still limited, and he’s coming off a serious injury. Given Detroit’s expected cap constraints with looming extensions for key players (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, etc.), the $8.5M per year figure feels slightly inflated.
Value Grade: C-
This looks like a bit of an overpay, especially when we projected his market at around $5 million per year. The Lions are betting on his continued development, but there is some risk involved—particularly with his health and relatively small sample size as a full-time starter.
Overall Thoughts & Grade
Barnes embodies the grit, versatility, and culture the Lions are building. He’s a valuable piece in their defense, and if his development continues, this deal could age well. However, considering his injury history and the financial investment, this contract comes with moderate risk.
Final Grade: B
It’s a slight overpay, but it secures a key defensive player at an important position. If Barnes returns fully healthy and continues his upward trajectory, the Lions will be happy with this deal.
Poll: What Grade Do You Give the Derrick Barnes Extension?
A
B
C
D
Vote below!
