The NFL continues to group all linebackers together for valuation purposes, which has typically led to teams turning down fifth-year options for off-ball LBs. No team has exercised the fifth-year option at the position since the Buccaneers did so for Devin White in 2022. That may change in the next two-plus weeks.
[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
The Lions have until May 1 to make a decision on Jack Campbell‘s option. Unless an extension comes to fruition by then, the team is “certain to exercise” it, Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network reports.
Armed with two first-round picks in the 2023 draft, Lions general manager Brad Holmes used the selections on a pair of non-premium positions. Before choosing Campbell 18th overall, he took running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12. Campbell, Gibbs and second-rounders Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch have turned into excellent NFLers. All are now eligible for extensions, but keeping each of them from hitting free agency in a year may be a challenge for Holmes.
The Lions would like to get something done with Campbell by the end of April. Otherwise, they will be at risk of paying him a bloated $21.93MM on his fifth-year option salary in 2027. He would go by 49ers future Hall of Famer Fred Warner, whose average annual salary of $21MM paces the position. The worth of Campbell’s option escalated as a result of the Pro Bowl nod he earned last season. The former Iowa standout was also a first-team All-Pro in 2025. Campbell, who has never missed a game, put together his second straight 17-start campaign and notched career highs in tackles (176), TFL (nine), sacks (five) and forced fumbles (three). The 25-year-old finished behind one player, Warner, in Pro Football Focus’ off-ball LB rankings.
Warner inked his three-year, $63MM extension last May, at which point he was coming off his fourth first-team All-Pro showing. In addition to leading his position in AAV, he tops it in total value. Warner checks in second in guarantees ($56.7MM), trailing the Ravens’ Roquan Smith ($60MM). Warner, Smith, the Eagles’ Zack Baun, the Chiefs’ Nick Bolton and the Jets’ Jamien Sherwood are the only off-ball LBs earning at least $15MM per annum on multiyear pacts. Campbell has a strong argument to join the group in the next couple of weeks, especially with the cap on the rise and the value of his option providing him leverage.
SOUPER news on Campbell !!