What Contract Could the Detroit Lions Offer Levi Onwuzurike?
Levi Onwuzurike, the Detroit Lions’ defensive tackle, finds himself at a critical juncture in his career as he enters the final stages of his rookie contract. Selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Onwuzurike has shown flashes of potential but has been somewhat inconsistent due to injuries. With his contract set to expire following the 2024 season, the Lions face an important decision regarding whether to extend Onwuzurike or let him hit the open market. In this article, we’ll explore what kind of contract the Lions could offer Onwuzurike and how it fits within their long-term plans.
Onwuzurike’s Performance and Potential
After a solid college career at Washington, Onwuzurike entered the NFL with high expectations. His blend of size (6’3″, 290 pounds) and athleticism provided the Lions with a versatile defensive lineman capable of disrupting both the pass and run game. However, injuries have hindered his development. Onwuzurike missed his entire rookie season due to a back injury, and his 2022 campaign was marked by only moderate contributions due to nagging health issues.
Despite these setbacks, Onwuzurike’s flashes of brilliance remain notable. When healthy, he has shown the ability to rush the passer and clog running lanes, a critical role in Detroit’s defense. The Lions are committed to building a strong defensive front, and Onwuzurike’s potential could be a key piece moving forward. However, with limited game tape over the first few years of his career, the Lions must weigh the risk of investing heavily in a player who has yet to prove he can stay consistently healthy and develop into a star.
The Market for Defensive Tackles
The market for defensive tackles has seen significant inflation in recent years, with top-tier players commanding massive contracts. Players like Aaron Donald and DeForest Buckner are among the highest-paid, with annual salaries exceeding $20 million. However, Onwuzurike has yet to reach that level of dominance. If the Lions were to offer him a long-term deal, they would likely look to structure it with more reasonable terms, based on his current production and injury history.
The NFL salary cap is always a concern, and with the Lions continuing to build a competitive roster, they will need to make prudent decisions. A potential contract for Onwuzurike could fall in the range of $8 million to $12 million per year, aligning him with the middle tier of defensive tackles. A contract in this range would reflect Onwuzurike’s upside while accounting for the uncertainty surrounding his injury history.
Possible Contract Length and Structure
Given Onwuzurike’s inconsistency and injuries, the Lions could opt for a shorter-term contract, potentially a 3-year deal, to minimize risk while still allowing room for growth. This structure would allow the Lions to evaluate his progress over the next few seasons before committing to a more lucrative deal if he proves to be a reliable and impactful player.
Another option for the Lions would be to offer Onwuzurike a contract with performance-based incentives, which could reward him for staying healthy and reaching certain milestones. This would allow the team to protect themselves while still motivating Onwuzurike to push for peak performance.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions’ decision regarding Levi Onwuzurike’s contract will be shaped by his health, performance, and the team’s long-term defensive strategy. With Onwuzurike’s upside still in play, the Lions could offer him a contract that reflects both the potential rewards and the risk associated with his injuries. A middle-of-the-road deal with the potential for growth could be the perfect way for the Lions to keep him in the fold while still maintaining flexibility in their salary cap structure. For Onwuzurike, this could be a pivotal opportunity to prove his worth and secure a more significant payday down the line.
