The NFL reportedly has a new highest-paid receiver.
The Detroit Lions on Wednesday agreed to a lucrative contract extension with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. The deal makes St. Brown the highest-paid receiver in the game — and he deserves it.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Contract Details
St. Brown’s deal is worth over $120 million across four years, according to Rapoport. That means the average annual value will be above Tyreek Hill’s $30 million, currently the high mark for NFL receivers.
St. Brown’s contract also includes $77 million guaranteed, the most for a receiver in NFL history. Cooper Kupp ($75 million), Hill ($72 million), DeVonta Smith ($69.9 million), and Davante Adams ($65.7 million) now occupy the next four spots, per Over the Cap.
Adams still owns the richest contract in total value ($140 million).
A reported $77M guaranteed for #Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown represents the highest total guarantee for a WR in #NFL history (Cooper Kupp $75M).
Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, & Ja'Marr Chase now have a new bar to eclipse.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) April 24, 2024
St. Brown, a fourth-round pick in 2021, was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract. So, it’s not a surprise that Detroit wanted to work out a deal now rather than risk losing St. Brown in free agency next offseason.
And though the price tag was steep, the Lions were wise to pay it.
Why St. Brown Deserves Massive Contract
St. Brown undoubtedly is one of the NFL’s best receivers, but he rarely gets mentioned in the same breath as players such as Hill, Justin Jefferson, and CeeDee Lamb. After all, fans love boundary receivers who make jaw-dropping, highlight-reel plays on a regular basis.
That isn’t St. Brown. He’s more of a dominant slot receiver who is also talented enough to win outside. In 2023, he registered 335 snaps in the slot compared to 265 out wide, per Pro Football Focus. Only six receivers logged more snaps in the slot, including Lamb, who ranked fourth with 385. St. Brown missed one game, whereas the rest played full schedules.
St. Brown, our seventh-ranked receiver, finished the 2023 season as PFF’s fourth-ranked wideout behind Hill, Brandon Aiyuk, and Nico Collins. Regardless of where St. Brown lined up, he usually posted huge numbers.
The USC product set career highs in receptions (119), yards (1,515), and touchdowns (10). He also was a target hog, with his 158 targets ranking sixth (Lamb was first with 179). St. Brown also ranked fourth in PFF’s reception percentage with a rate of 75.3.
In his first three seasons with the Lions, St. Brown posted 315 catches, 3,588 yards, and 21 scores, good for per-season averages of 105 catches, 1,196 yards, and seven TDs. He also missed just two games.
KEEP READING: Devonta Smith’s Contract Extension Details With Eagles
He’s tough. He’s durable. He’s prolific. He’s sure-handed. He’s a team captain. And, at 24 years old, St. Brown hasn’t even entered his prime.
The Lions backed up the Brink’s truck for St. Brown, who deserves every penny.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s all-new Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls — lone wolf or with your friends!