How the Lions Could Unlock $38 Million in Cap Space - If Their Stars Are Willing
The Detroit Lions are riding high after a breakthrough season, but now comes the tricky part: sustaining success in the face of a tightening salary cap. With free agency looming, GM Brad Holmes and his front office are staring down some tough financial realities.
The good news? There are a few strategic moves that could open the door to a much more flexible offseason - especially if a couple of Detroit’s cornerstone players are willing to play ball.
Let’s talk about Jared Goff and Penei Sewell.
These two are more than just stars - they’re foundational pieces of a culture shift in Detroit. Goff, the veteran quarterback who’s helped lead the Lions to relevance, and Sewell, the elite young tackle who’s become a tone-setter in the trenches, are both in line for massive cap hits in 2026. But if they agree to restructure their contracts - specifically by converting a portion of their salaries into prorated bonuses - the Lions could free up a staggering $38 million in cap space.
Here’s how it would work: Goff’s prorated bonus would come in at $28 million, while Sewell’s would be about $11.7 million. That’s a significant chunk of change that could be spread out over future years, giving Detroit immediate breathing room.
Without a restructure, Goff’s cap hit balloons from $29.3 million to a jaw-dropping $69 million next season. Sewell’s jumps from $12.9 million to $28 million.
Those are the kinds of numbers that can hamstring a team’s ability to build around its stars - unless they’re willing to tweak the math.
This isn’t just cap gymnastics for the sake of it. With that kind of flexibility, the Lions could make serious moves in free agency - whether that’s bringing in reinforcements or retaining key contributors from last year’s squad.
Depth matters, especially on defense, and Detroit has a few names they’d love to keep around. Players like Amik Robertson, Avonte Maddox, and Al-Quadin Muhammad all played meaningful roles in the Lions’ playoff push. Even if they can only retain two of those three, that’s a win for continuity on a unit that’s still growing.
Of course, restructuring isn’t the only path forward. The Lions could also explore the trade market to clear cap space.
One name to keep an eye on: Alim McNeill. If Detroit lands a starting-caliber defensive tackle in the draft, McNeill - whose contract carries a hefty $28.9 million cap hit in 2026 - could become a trade candidate.
That’s not a knock on McNeill’s talent, but rather a reflection of the difficult decisions that come with roster building at this level.
Still, the cleanest and most team-friendly route may be through the players who’ve already bought in. Goff and Sewell aren’t just high performers - they’re leaders who’ve helped shape the identity of this Lions team. If they’re willing to restructure, it sends a message: winning matters more than short-term dollars.
And they wouldn’t be alone. There are several other players on the roster who could be open to similar discussions, especially if it means keeping the core intact and pushing for something bigger.
The Lions aren’t just trying to stay good - they’re aiming to be great. And in today’s NFL, that often starts with how you manage the cap.
The blueprint is there. Now it’s up to Detroit to decide how aggressive they want to be.