The Detroit Lions just set a new bar for offensive tackle contracts, signing Penei Sewell to a new four-year deal that will pay him around $28 million per season, including $85 million in guaranteed money.
This news is sure to grab the attention of Bucs offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, who is also expected to get a new long-term contract extension of his own at some point this year.
Sewell’s deal will likely provide a framework for the one Wirfs will get from the Bucs, and since his deal will be the next one, it’s likely his reps will want to reset that bar with higher numbers.
This won’t come as a surprise to Bucs general manager Jason Licht, who will obviously hand Wirfs the equivalent of a blank check to keep the All-Pro left tackle in Tampa Bay for the foreseeable future. Wirfs is off to a Hall of Fame start over his first four seasons in the league, and shouldn’t ever wear another jersey.
It won’t be shocking if Wirfs’ new deal comes in closer to $30 million per season, with guaranteed money that exceeds what Sewell just got from the Lions.
And he’ll be worth every penny.
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