The Lions have made it official with star linebacker DeAndre Levy.
Levy and the Lions agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday. NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported that Levy's deal will keep him in Detroit through 2019. The deal is worth $33.72 million with $20 million in guarantees, according to a source informed of the deal, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
We expect a hefty raise for Levy, who was set to make just $3.5 million this season. General manager Martin Mayhew made it clear in April that a new contract for the "phenomenal talent" was a priority after watching Levy earn back-to-back Pro Bowl nods.
Levy also finished second in the league with six interceptions in 2013 and ranked behind just Khalil Mack and Von Miller among all 4-3 outside 'backers last season, per Pro Football Focus. His game tape shows the skills of a complete defender, with the ability to chase down runners at the boundary, cover pass-catchers and drill into the backfield. Levy was especially powerful against the run in 2014.
Filling the Suh void won't be easy, but Levy gives Detroit a new leader to lean on. Especially after he went out of his way to say that "Suh didn't make the defense," with Levy reminding reporters: "We had a lot of guys last year playing their best football."
One of those guys just got paid.
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