Lions, LB Derrick Barnes Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension

Detroit has locked up a key piece to its defense.
The Detroit Lions have signed linebacker Derrick Barnes to a three-year extension.
The Detroit Lions have signed linebacker Derrick Barnes to a three-year extension. / Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
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The Detroit Lions have signed linebacker Derrick Barnes to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension, according to a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The new contract includes $16 million guaranteed.

In an offseason of transition in Detroit, with both key coordinators moving on to head coaching jobs, the Lions have turned their focus to keeping their personnel intact.

Barnes missed most of the 2024 season due to PCL and MCL tears in his right knee suffered in a Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals. However, the Lions view Barnes as a key piece to their defensive puzzle after he started 13 games in 2023, notching 81 combined tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

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Mike McDaniel
MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.