Not to nitpick, but he was a second Pro Bowl alternate in 2021 who got to go the probowl after replacing Brandon Scherff. I’m not saying he’s not a solid player, but the narrative that he’s a top end “Pro Bowl” guard that people use trying to label him as one of the best OG in the league is a little overstated around here.
He’s a good player. But I don’t think he’s worth 13m-15m a year. I don’t think he’s a top 10 guard in the league and I don’t think he should be paid like one, which is around where 13-15m AAV would put him.
If you think so, that’s fine, we’re allowed to disagree. In the end, it comes down to what Brad thinks. And like I’ve said before, I’d rather he be in the position on figuring out Jackson than me.
It’s almost a given that Big V will be replaced by a rookie. It just makes too much sense cap wise. The question is will they make that decision this offseason. I think they will.
My guess is Jonah is resigned, Brown is lost to FA. Big V. is a cap casualty and the Lions draft a starting OG in round two.
I feel like 8-10m is a heck of a lot more reasonable than the 13-15m range suggested in the OP. That’s a whole other player or two you can add to the roster with that difference.
Vaitai has 25m left cap hit wise. If we can get that down to 2/12m then I’ll take the injury risk. I’d still want to add a developmental OG but then we could wait until the 5th round.
Is he better than Ben Power of the Ravens who started this year as back up an ended you playing really well an being a starting OG
Powers was among the top pass-protectors last season with the Baltimore Ravens. The 6-foot-4, 340-pounder didn’t allow a sack the entire season and while he isn’t the best run blocker, he’s still the top guard available this spring. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/cap-hit/guard/
Take a look at what OGs are making sure he is not worth what some are getting but look at who the cheap ones are. Some here don’t want to pay Jackson but would gladly throw millions at some 34 year old that can’t even run or give a has been a 4 year contract an take dead money hit in couple years
I am as careful as another with Cap but I let Brown walk rework Big V if healthy an sign Jackson during season for 5 years
You want to create a hole when there is no need . Some same posters don’t want to pay Jackson but want to give away beans an trade for a CB who has shown his play is slipping Jalen Ramsey an he only really is involve short period of time yet Jackson is there every OL snap. He will be 29
DOB (Age): 10/24/1994 (28) I would pay Jackson less for more years any day of week.
Its time Lions stopped being the retirement contract team an rewards the players who earned the new deals
Hard pass myself for a guard making 12 mill per season… 3 years 26-28 mill sounds about right… guards are not and will never be game changing positions.
Sure you can pay everyone who earned a contract tell me what team let top end players who are young walk. Only teams who also over paid there Vets .
Look at Rams you want example or GB or Saints an in past the Lions. Holmes who got rid of like maybe 50 million in dead cap to clean the out the mess he had with old players making big money.
Now fans want to be cheap on a young player who is very good an earn his first deal. He earned it with good play not time served.
The whole Jalen Ramsey thing is a completely different story that I won’t get into, but I will just wholeheartedly disagree with the premise that he is showing his ‘play is slipping’ as that is just objectively false.
The Lions are already near the top of the league in OL spending. Paying Jackson 13m-15m would make them #1 by a large margin. Paying 4 OL near the top of the league at their position(s) just isn’t sustainable if you want to have a balanced team. Unfortunately, you can’t afford to keep everyone. THIS IS A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE. It results in comp picks as well. And as the Lions continue to get better and better roster wise, they’re going to be faced with these types of dilemmas more and more.
Now, the major thing that is in the background of this is a possible huge expansion of the salary cap. So maybe we’re just having a conversation about nothing.
%, my friend.
