What Contract Should Lions Offer Isaiah Buggs?
Last offseason, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes made multiple solid, under-the-radar moves that helped the Lions finish 9-8 in 2022.
One of those aforementioned moves was the signing of defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs to a one-year deal.
Adding Buggs was Holmes' response to the sudden retirement of fellow defensive lineman John Penisini in June.
Buggs, a sixth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, spent the first three seasons of his NFL career in Pittsburgh. With the Steelers, the 6-foot-3, 295-pounder played in 29 games (made seven starts), and compiled 31 total tackles, including two tackles for loss. He also earned a 59.1 Pro Football Focus grade, across 227 total defensive snaps, with the AFC North squad.
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He battled an ankle injury, and missed time due to COVID during the 2021 season. And, it likely caused the Steelers to view the lineman as expendable, when they decided to release him prior to their '21 regular season finale.
Buggs proceeded to join the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad during last year's playoffs. That proved to be short-lived. He went on to participate in rookie minicamp with the Minnesota Vikings and then work out for the Atlanta Falcons, prior to inking a contract with Holmes & Co.
Buggs didn't light up the stat sheet during this past season in the Motor City. However, he still proved to be a nice, steady presence along the interior of Detroit's defensive line.
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The Alabama product went on to produce 46 total tackles and 10 quarterback hits, while also compiling two passes defensed and his first career sack and forced fumble. He did all this while suiting up for all 17 games (made 13 starts) and logging a career-high 755 defensive snaps.
It was easily the biggest opportunity Buggs has had to make an impact in his short time as an NFL player, and he certainly made the most of it.
"Well, I’ll tell you what, that guy’s a guy that we’ve been talking about for a while," Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said about Buggs, after the defensive lineman came up with a forced fumble in Detroit's Week 14 win against Minnesota. "He doesn’t probably get all the praise that he should. But, for him to be able to make that play on that stage, at that time in the red zone, was outstanding for him. So, we know how valuable that player is for us.
"He’s found a home. We’re happy with him, and I know for a fact that he’s happy being here. So, we just want to continue to get better with that player and continue to understand exactly what we’re doing. And, there’s just a lot more improvement that can happen with that player. So, I’m really excited about that player.”
I don't think I'm alone in saying that Buggs has earned himself a second contract in Detroit.
The 26-year-old made just $965,000 during the 2022 campaign. So, I think it's fair to say the Lions should at least double his salary this offseason.
If I were Holmes, I'd offer the interior lineman a two-year contract worth $2 million a season.
Buggs might not agree to the offer right away, while holding out for a better one from Detroit or another organization. But, I think with a little bit of time, he ultimately would re-up with the Lions.
