Amon-Ra St. Brown has set a new contract guarantee record, surpassing the previous holder Cooper Kupp, signaling a significant shift in the wide receiver market.
The Detroit Lions have invested heavily in securing quarterback Jared Goff’s support, finalizing a four-year, $120 million deal with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, including a $77 million guarantee at signing. This guaranteed sum exceeds the former record of $75 million for wide receivers held by Cooper Kupp.
Both St. Brown and Kupp, known as “slot receivers” and drafted from mid-round positions, are demonstrating that the profile of “number one receivers” has evolved.
Selected in the fourth round from USC in 2021, St. Brown has proven to be one of the league’s most consistent receivers. He posted impressive stats of 90 receptions for 912 yards as a rookie, followed by 106 receptions for 1,161 yards in his second year, and notably, 119 catches for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. Among the 2023 draft class, St. Brown leads in receptions, with Ja’Marr Chase surpassing him only in yards and touchdowns. Notably, this draft class includes notable talents like Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, and Nico Collins.
There is widespread anticipation for the Lions to extend Jared Goff’s contract soon. Initially seen as a supplementary player in the Matthew Stafford trade, Goff has now assumed the franchise quarterback role in Detroit, largely attributed to St. Brown’s contributions, a strong offensive line ranking in the top five, and effective offensive coordination under Ben Johnson. It’s a testament to the value of support for quarterbacks, as every quarterback desires maximum support. Interestingly, Goff’s potential extension could reach a remarkable $45 million per season, a figure unimaginable back in 2021 during his trade.
