Expect More Hold Outs For Less Talent In Detroit Lions Future

On Wednesday The Detroit Lions gave Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison a 1/ year extension with an extra $2.25M in guaranteed this year and a $9M non-guaranteed extension in 2021, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.

The guaranteed money was the biggest issue for Harrison, who was almost out of it until the restructure. With all the warranted glowing praises of the deal for the Detroit Lions, and on most sides the agreement is excellent for the 2019 Lions, there is one downside.

Just as it is with the numbers, it’s also a great move on the field. We’ve all heard about the defensive rushing turnaround last season after acquiring Harrison. He’s one of the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL at stopping the run, and that’s precisely what Matt Patricia wants from his DT’s. It potentially sets up a three-year stint of a Trey Flowers, Damon Harrison, Da’Sahwn Hand, and Romeo Okwara defensive line with Mike Daniels and A’Shawn Robinson in for at least 2019.

What makes this deal the most interesting is the one-year extension given was for $9M in NON-guaranteed money for 2021. While it’s not a bad number for an elite DT, with it being non-guaranteed, the Detroit Lions could choose just to cut him if they feel he’s not worth it, which is the same situation that initiated Damon Harrison to contract disputes this offseason. So what’s stopping Harrison from doing it again if he has another two great years?

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While I’m in favor with the numbers, as well as having a satisfied Damon Harrison as a Detroit Lion for another year. Don’t get it twisted, extending players with two years left on their contracts does have its consequences. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry will remember the precedent set and use it as motivation or leverage for their own negotiations.

It’s naive to think players are just going to see the Harrison situation as ‘unique’ and not try to capitalize, whether they have the same case or not. Most NFL players are told they’re unique since childhood and their agents live off commission. There’s no question Bob Quinn will have to fight this decision in future negotiations, a much harder fight now without that ‘two years left’ trump card he just lost.

So is the risk worth the reward? For me, only if it was impossible for the Lions to get Damon Harrison on the field week one and counter an extension until next offseason, like when most contract extension disputes get resolved. Something that seemed possible with Harrison showing up to training camp.

If that was possible, as much as I like having Harrison locked up for at least two more years without another… oh wait that damn precedent is already nipping us… I mean, for one more year without another possible dispute, that would have been the ideal course.

I get it though, sometimes the most ideal course isn’t always an option, but nonetheless, I believe this course leads to more holdouts for far less talented players in the future when the answer isn’t so evident for Bob Quinn. How he handles those negotiations is to be seen, but they’re never a positive for an offseason.

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This also sets up an interesting situation for Darius Slay. He was arm in arm with Harrison in skipping OTA’s; no one likes to be left out. Will Quinn double down or start the convincing now that the timing of the Damon Harrison deal was a one time rendezvous?

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