Christian Jones' Contract Extension a Prudent Decision

The Lions gave LB Christian Jones a two-year contract extension, and the details are now out

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Like most, when the Lions handed LB Christian Jones a rare midseason contract extension, I was a bit confused with the logic.

With a defense that ranks 31st in the league and the linebackers being the biggest area of weakness, why would Detroit general manager Bob Quinn want to continue with the same personnel moving forward? 

Of the 90 off-ball linebackers that have played in at least 20 percent of defensive snaps this season, Jones is graded as the 77th-best linebacker by Pro Football Focus. 

Needless to say, Jones has had his fair share of struggles.

Before the extension, Jones was on the last year of a two-year deal that he inked with Detroit in 2018. 

Now, the Lions' top-four linebackers are under contract through 2020.

Fortunately, Jones' new two-year contract extension doesn't prohibit the possibility of improving the linebacking corps after the season. 

The Lions did a nice job of spreading out the money and using incentives to limit the cap hit.

Details of Christian Jones’ two-year extension with the Lions, including a voidable third year in 2022: pic.twitter.com/ZUlfsGnF88

— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) November 7, 2019

The extension consists of a unique setup that doesn't comprise your typical contract. 

To simplify things a bit, Jones' average salary will be $2.92 million per year -- fringe-starter money.

Jones' new contract, additionally, decreases his cap hit this year, and the Lions will be able to roll over their savings into next year -- worth a little over $400,000.

Due to an automatically voidable contract year in 2022, Jones' $1.97 million signing bonus will be prorated over the span of three years instead of two. 

The downside to the deal is that the Lions will be left with $1.09 million in dead cap in 2022. 

Without getting too much further into the nitty-gritty details of the complicated contract, Jones' price point is very fair for what he provides to the team.

It's no secret now that Quinn and Lions head man Matt Patricia have a very specific profile that they look for in a linebacker. 

Their linebackers must be big, have length and be able to play inside and occasionally on the edge. 

Elite athleticism is not paramount to the aforementioned attributes.

Jones checks off all the boxes that the Lions look for in a linebacker. 

He also has the passion and leadership qualities that Quinn covets.

The downside is that these type of players are difficult to find nowadays due to the game transitioning to speed over size at the linebacker position. 

It's the same reason that many felt the Lions "reached" in the second round for LB Jahlani Tavai. 

Quinn, however, admitted after the selection that there might only be one or two linebackers with the proper requisites per draft.

Plenty of other talented, yet smaller players will be overlooked in the draft and free agency due to their lack of scheme fit.

Ultimately, Jones hasn't been a standout on the field, but he isn't being paid top-dollar, either. 

His low price tag could still allow the Lions to upgrade the position, if a player comes along they can't pass up. 

In the meantime, it's a great insurance policy at the position.

For a versatile player that fits the defensive scheme perfectly, it's tough to argue that the contact extension is a poor decision.

More: A Key Matchup to Watch in Lions-Bears Contest Sunday