Evaluating Detroit Lions' 2024 Positional Spending

Where the Lions stack up in spending at each position.

Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16). / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions have been active participants throughout the NFL offseason, adding a plethora of talent to their roster.

Focusing primarily on the defensive side of the ball, the Lions have added several starting caliber defenders through either free agency or trades. Bringing in players like Carlton Davis, DJ Reader and Kevin Zeitler have given the team several veterans capable of being big-time contributors.

The Lions have utilized plenty of their available cap space, but also have the opportunity to add more talent ahead of the season.

Here is a breakdown of the Lions' positional spending as it stands heading into 2024, along with a breakdown of where each ranks amongst the entire league according to Spotrac.

Offense

Quarterback: $34.6 million (9th in NFL)

Running back: $14.9 million (5th in NFL)

Wide receiver: $17.8 million (26th in NFL)

Tight end: $6.2 million (25th in NFL)

Offensive line: $55 million (7th in NFL)

Total: $124.9 million (17th in NFL)

The Lions currently rank ninth in spending at the quarterback position, but that number could increase next season. Jared Goff is extension eligible this offseason and could ink a big deal to remain the team's quarterback of the future.

With the quarterback market being what it is, Goff could surpass $50 million annually. This increase in spending will also likely take place at wide receiver, where Amon-Ra St. Brown is reportedly in talks to sign an extension worth north of $20 million a year.

The offensive line is another area where the Lions will have to pony up. The group ranks seventh currently, but Penei Sewell is eligible for an extension that could reset the tackle market. The Lions do have the ability to push his negotiations back a year by picking up his fifth-year option this offseason.

Taylor Decker is entering a contract year and could get another extension to remain a Lion ahead of his ninth NFL season.

As a result, the Lions' spending on the offensive side of the ball will increase significantly in the near future, likely beginning with the 2025 season.

Defense

Defensive line: $34.1 million (21st in NFL)

Linebacker: $19.6 million (20th in NFL)

Secondary: $32.2 million (21st in NFL)

Total: $80.6 million (25th in NFL)

The Lions rank in the bottom half of the league in each of the three defensive areas despite making additions on the defensive line and the secondary.

Holmes is set to hand out a maximum of $27.25 million over two years to DJ Reader, which is the heftiest contract he's handed out to a defensive lineman. Marcus Davenport, meanwhile, will receive a maximum of $10 million on a one-year contract.

Detroit could have its spending altered in the secondary depending on the outcome of the situation involving Cam Sutton.

The Lions do have plenty of players set up to earn extensions defensively, namely Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill on the defensive line. McNeill is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the defensive tackle market could lead to him getting a hefty extension.

Hutchinson, meanwhile, could put him in the upper echelon of pass-rushers with another strong season.