Lions make $22 million Jack Campbell contract decision that could lead to parting ways

Lions make $22 million Jack Campbell contract decision that could lead to parting ways originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Lions have a bunch of contracts to figure out.

They've made a decision on Jack Campbell's, and that could lead to the sides eventually parting ways.

According to Detroit TV reporter Dan Miller, the Lions have declined the fifth-year option on Campbell's current contract.

That option would've applied to the 2027 NFL season, so it means that Campbell is only under contract now for the 2026 campaign.

Campbell would've been owed $22 million for the 2027 season on that option year, and there isn't an off-ball linebacker that makes that money.

If the Lions don't reach an extension with Campbell by the end of the 2026 season, he'll be set to become a free agent after the year.

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The tricky part to this is the way the option year is calculated -- it combines inside linebackers and outside linebackers (edge rushers) into one calculation, and those edge players earn more than the inside guys usually do. That means Campbell is assessed from a group that isn't really just his own position.

Because of that, this declined fifth-year option was always a pretty likely outcome. It still doesn't make it easy for Lions fans to know that Campbell's time in Detroit could be dwindling.

The Lions have a lot of finances to figure out in the year ahead, with and among guys who will be due big paydays soon.