As training camp has opened for the Detroit Lions in Allen Park, Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew said today that he and representatives of linebacker DeAndre Levy have stated working on a contract extension to keep the NFL’s leading tackler in Honalulu Blue and Silver for the foreseeable future.
Levy, 28, was a third round pick of the Lions back in 2009 and has been a consistent contributor ever since. He started 82 of the 89 games he’s played in Detroit and had his best season of his career in 2014, racking up 121 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He also was second in the NFL in interceptions in 2013 with six.
DeAndre Levy is in the final year of his three year $9.75 million dollar extension he signed before the 2013 season. He will make $4.5 million this year in total compensation and will be an unrestricted free agent at seasons end if they Detroit Lions cannot get him to sign a new deal.
Like all sports, the value of contracts in the NFL are largely based on what other players that play the same position got recently. Here are nine other 4-3 linebackers or 3-4 middle linebackers got recently when they received new contracts.
| Player | Team | Years | Dollars | Guaranteed | AAV |
| DeAndre Levy | Lions | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Bobby Wagner | Seahawks | 4 | $43,000,000 | $21,977,427 | $10,750,000 |
| Lawrence Timmons | Steelers | 5 | $47,795,750 | $11,000,000 | $9,559,150 |
| Novorro Bowman | 49ers | 5 | $45,250,000 | $11,000,000 | $9,050,000 |
| Brian Cushing | Texans | 6 | $52,500,000 | $21,000,000 | $8,750,000 |
| James Laurinaitis | Rams | 5 | $41,500,000 | $13,620,000 | $8,300,000 |
| Daryl Washington | Cardinals | 4 | $32,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $8,000,000 |
| Donald Butler | Chargers | 7 | $51,800,000 | $11,150,000 | $7,400,000 |
| Sean Lee | Cowboys | 6 | $42,000,000 | $16,130,000 | $7,000,000 |
| K.J. Wright | Seahawks | 4 | $27,000,000 | $8,750,000 | $6,750,000 |
You could argue that Levy is in the top three most talent among the linebackers on this list. That means he will command top end money for his position.
There is some risk in signing Levy. He hasn’t missed a game in the last two seasons, but he does do some crazy stuff in the off-season. In addition to a crazy hiking trip in South America (pictured above), he also rode on the top wing of a single engine bi-plane this past summer. He also admitted he ate Llama (ewww) over the summer while on one of his trips.
He’s never gotten hurt on one of his excursions so the Lions shouldn’t be worried too much. Like all NFL contracts, there would be language built in to protect the team if he were to do something stupid.
The Lions will have the ability to sign DeAndre Levy long term assuming the salary cap goes up like it should and the contract wouldn’t require a large cap hit for this season.
If Deandre wishes to stay with the Detroit Lions, they Lions will make it happen. A market value deal for Levy will likely be in the six year and $55 million dollar range with about $20 million guaranteed.
Levy would get at least that much in free agency after the season ends, so getting him locked up with some guaranteed money on the books will be advantageous for both sides.