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Reports: Lions rework deals for 2 stars, free up $35.7M

By Thomson Reuters Sep 12, 2026 | 9:50 AM

By Field Level Media

Sep 12 (Field Level Media) – The Detroit Lions restructured the contracts of wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown ​and left tackle Penei Sewell and ‌created $35.68 million in cap space, multiple outlets reported Saturday.

The Lions now rank second in the league in available cap space at about $38 million, which can ‌also ​be carried over to ⁠2027, according to Over ⁠The Cap and Spotrac.

Detroit now has the freedom to make an in-season move before the trade deadline or work on long-term ​extensions with tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch.

Sewell, 25, signed a ⁠four-year, $112 million contract extension ⁠with $85 million guaranteed in April 2024. ​The three-time All-Pro has started all 83 of ​his games since the Lions drafted him ‌seventh overall in 2021.

St. Brown, 26, also signed an extension in April 2024, a four-year, $120 million deal with $77 million guaranteed. The ⁠two-time All-Pro has 547 catches for 6,252 yards and 44 touchdowns in 83 games (75 starts) since Detroit ⁠drafted him ‌in the fourth round in ⁠2021.

According to the reports, the ​Lions converted $18.6 ‌million of Sewell’s salary in ​a signing ⁠bonus, added one void year to his contract and created $14.8 million in cap space. They converted $26 million of St. Brown’s salary into a signing bonus to free up another $20.8 million.

(–Field ​Level Media)