{"id":230305,"date":"2025-05-02T10:00:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T14:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=230305"},"modified":"2025-05-02T09:58:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T13:58:28","slug":"how-the-lions-can-re-sign-two-critical-veterans-with-creative-accounting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/05\/02\/how-the-lions-can-re-sign-two-critical-veterans-with-creative-accounting\/","title":{"rendered":"How The Lions Can Re-Sign Two Critical Veterans With Creative Accounting"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the world focused on the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions front office quietly exercised fifth-year options for Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams. The Lions’ front office did a terrific job securing the talents of these two young premier talents and guaranteeing the pair would remain in Detroit through the 2026 season. <\/span>However, the Lions have other critical personnel issues that require creative accounting.<\/p>\n

How The Lions Can Re-Sign Two Critical Veterans With Creative Accounting<\/h2>\n

Using Creative Accounting To Stay Within The Lions’ Salary Cap\u00a0 <\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

In addition to exercising the fifth-year options for Hutchinson and Williams, Brad Holmes and the Lions front office<\/a> acquired seven new free agents<\/a> and negotiated contracts for 18 other players, including Kerby Joseph\u2019s<\/a> new four-year, $85 million agreement. However, with so many players’ contracts extended simultaneously, the Lions needed creative accounting<\/a> measures to stay within the salary cap. <\/span><\/p>\n

Taking advantage of “option bonuses,” spread over five years, the Lions were able to include a portion of non-guaranteed money. Paying the amount forward, the non-guaranteed dollar amount isn’t effective until that year’s bonus is exercised. It’s insurance for the team if the player is traded or released before that (future) calendar year.<\/span><\/p>\n

J<\/span>oseph is now the NFL’s highest-paid safety after leading the league with nine interceptions. However, instead of the Lions absorbing the full salary cap hit of Joseph’s $85 million contract at $21.25 \/year, his $10 million signing bonus is spread over five years<\/a>. The cap hit for the Lions in 2026 will be a $9.6 million option and only $2 million of the signing bonus. \u00a0This saves the team $10 million against next year’s salary cap. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aidan Hutchinson -Lions Contract Details<\/b><\/h3>\n

In 2025, the Lions will absorb a salary cap hit of $11,365,351 for Hutchinson. Although his fifth-year option jumps to $19,872,000 in 2026, that figure will be much higher when the Lions negotiate a multi-year extension.\u00a0Hutchinson was likely to become the Defensive Player of the Year<\/a> before his injury. He recorded 12 tackles (7 TFLs), 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback pressures, and one forced fumble. An unstoppable force against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, Hutchinson was a one-man wrecking crew. Unleashed, he recorded four solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. After his injury, Hutchinson focused on his recovery and getting healthy to return for the Super Bowl if the opportunity arose.<\/p>\n

Fully recovered from his injury, Hutchinson is poised to pad his career resume of 122 tackles, 28.5 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, and 4 interceptions. \u00a0However, with Myles Garrett resetting the EDGE market, Hutchinson’s next contract will be measured against Garrett’s\u00a0$40 million\/year.<\/p>\n

Jameson Williams -Lions Contract Details\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Despite the unfounded rumors before the draft, the Lions never entertained trading Jameson Williams. He was one of the NFL’s top receivers last year with 58 passes for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. William\u2019s 82-yard touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears was Detroit\u2019s longest in 14 years.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, Williams had a rocky start. But he finally justified the team’s patience and faith in 2024. When Dan Campbell was asked who the team\u2019s most improved player<\/a> was, he responded, \u201cGive me one player who is the most improved from that start to finish over that time?’ Jamo is that guy right now. He is a man on a mission.”<\/p>\n

Williams will earn approximately $3.1 million in 2025 with a cap hit of $5,419,000. His fifth-year option in 2026 will pay $15,493,000. However, if Williams continues his current trajectory, he could earn approximately 30 million dollars\/year if the Lions sign a multi-year extension.<\/p>\n

For naysayers who still think the Lions plan to trade Williams, that would trigger a dead cap payout of $17,825,656. The Lions would lose a key playmaker in a very costly and unlikely scenario.<\/p>\n

Impact On The Lions’ 2025 Salary Cap<\/b><\/h3>\n

NFL salary cap rules are complex and can be somewhat deceptive. For example, during the off-season, the “Top 51 Rule” only charges the top 51 players against the team’s salary cap. This gives teams additional capital to sign players without violating salary cap restrictions.<\/p>\n

With almost $43,000,000 remaining, the Lions have the most cap space available in 2025 after the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders. \u00a0Even accounting for the most recent additions to Detroit’s roster, the Lions have capital to spend in 2025. \u00a0However, Holmes is ever mindful of the contract extensions that await in 2026. Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, and Sam LaPorta are all extension-eligible next year when their rookie contracts expire.<\/p>\n

In addition, Jake Bates, Alex Anzalone, Kalif Raymond, and Amik Robertson are only under contract through the 2025 season. \u00a0Branch, Gibbs, Campbell, and LaPorta will be extended. Bates can look forward to an extension after proving himself to be one of the top kickers in the NFL. The Lions will need some accounting wizardry to extend this group next year.<\/p>\n

However, where does that leave veterans Robertson, Anzalone, and Raymond? Of the trio, premier veteran Anzalone<\/a> is the top priority to be re-signed this year.<\/p>\n

Anzalones\u2019 Contract With the Lions<\/b><\/h3>\n

Anzalone\u2019s three-year, $18.75 million contract ends this season, and Detroit can\u2019t afford to lose him to free agency<\/a>. In the four years that Anzalone has been with Detroit, he recorded 254 tackles (201 solo), 6.5 sacks, 24 pass defenses, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He is the fourth player in Detroit franchise history to record two back-to-back seasons with 125-plus tackles.<\/p>\n

At 31 years of age, Anzalone isn\u2019t showing any signs of slowing down. He was on pace to match his 2023 career-best season (129 tackles (71 solo), 3.0 sacks, six pass defenses, and a fumble recovery) when he was injured last year. Anzalone returned in Week 18 for the critical division game against the Vikings.\u00a0 <\/span>He was superb that night and a big reason for the Lions’ 31-9 victory.<\/p>\n

The Lions Need Creative Accounting To Extend Anzalone and Bring Back Za’Darius Smith<\/h3>\n

The cap hit for Anzalone\u2019s 2025 contract is $7,258,823 with $6,100,000 due in cash. The contract has a void-year payment of $2,100,000 for 2026 with a dead cap value of $2,400,000. If the Lions and Anzalone part ways, this money will be absorbed as \u201cdead money\u201d and will hit the team\u2019s salary cap, making it more difficult to sign or retain other players. But if the Lions re-negotiate Anzalone now, with some creative accounting, the team can restructure the void-year $2.1 million payment into a new contract.<\/p>\n

In addition to extending Anzalone, veteran EDGE\u00a0 Za\u2019Darius Smith<\/a> should be re-signed for 2025. Smith was let go for financial reasons arising from his contract with the Cleveland Browns. However, his contribution to Detroit was significant. A proven talent, Smith provided a big boost for Detroit\u2019s injury-riddled defense last season. Despite being with the Lions for only eight games, he had 12 tackles, one forced fumble, and Smith\u2019s 4.0 sacks were the team’s second-highest. In addition, with his energy, enthusiasm, and veteran experience, he is a great fit for Detroit.<\/p>\n

Why The Lions Roster Needs These Two Critical Veterans\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Aided by the return of a healthy Marcus Davenport and the additions of first-round draft pick DT Tyleik Williams<\/a> and dedicated rookie Ahmed Hassanein<\/a>, the Lions’ defense appears to be in good shape. However, it\u2019s rare for a rookie to become an immediate starter in Week 1. Some rookies take longer to transition from college to pro football.<\/p>\n

Last season\u2019s premature playoff exit revealed a gaping hole in the Lions’ defense. Although Holmes’ strategic free agency and draft acquisitions strengthened the team’s roster, more depth and veteran experience are needed, particularly at the EDGE position. As impressive as Jalen Hurts\u2019 performance was, the Eagles’ defense won the Super Bowl last year.<\/a><\/p>\n

If the Lions are to overcome that final hurdle to make the Super Bowl, Holmes needs to secure the best possible talent for the roster. \u00a0That means the Lions must employ creative accounting to re-sign Anzalone and Smith.<\/p>\n

Main Image: Kimberly P. Mitchell – USA Today Sports<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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