With Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner recently redefining the market for middle linebackers in the National Football League, guys like Lavonte David, Luke Kuechly and DeAndre Levy, who are all in the final year of their deals have a new baseline for what to expect in negotiations.
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Complete financial details were not immediately available, but Levy acknowledged after the Lions’ first padded practice of summer that the contract will make him the highest paid 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL.
Levy, 28, is coming off back-to-back stellar seasons.
That’s also a thinly veiled shot at Suh, who the Lions thought they were going to be able to re-sign last year, before he bolted for Miami in free agency and a six-year, $114 million deal. Levy comes out looking good there with almost 60% of the contract value guaranteed. “He has proven all through his profession with us that he’s deserving not exclusively of the contract that he acquired at this time, however the standing of being a part of that nucleus”.
Levy had a career-high 151 tackles last season and is entering his seventh season with Detroit.
Caldwell said Levy was always a player he had to account for as an opposing offensive coordinator playing the Lions. “I can’t dictate that for him, but he knows the repercussions if things go bad with that”. “The guy’s an impact player, so we definitely want to keep him on our defense”.
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Tom Lewand discusses the 4-year extension DeAndre Levy agreed to with the Lions today. Mayhew said Tuesday that talks are ongoing with Ngata’s agent, though they have not progressed as far as Levy’s did in recent weeks.
