The pattern of former Iowa football players landing big deals during the offseason continues with the Detroit Lions signing Jack Campbell to a four-year extension.
Campbell announced the extension in a video posted on social media on Thursday, May 21. The Cedar Falls native becomes one of the highest-paid inside linebackers in the NFL after having a breakout 2025 season, earning first-team All-Pro honors for the first time since being drafted No. 18 in the 2023 draft.
“I signed my extension, I’m excited to be back, I’m excited to be here long-term,” Campbell said in the video. “Now it’s time to go win a Super Bowl.”
Here’s what to know:
How much is Jack Campbell’s contract with the Detroit Lions?
The soon-to-be 26-year-old signed a four-year, $81 million contract with $51.5 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Campbell’s salary comes out to $20.25 million, per OverTheCap, making him the second-highest-paid player at his position, trailing only the San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner at $21 million.
The deal comes less than a month after the Lions declined the fifth-year option on Campbell’s rookie contract, which would have made him one of the NFL’s highest‑paid inside linebackers at $21.95 million value.
Here are the 10 highest‑paid inside linebackers in the NFL for 2026, according to Spotrac.
Jack Campbell NFL stats
In 2025, Campbell led the Lions and finished second in the NFL with 176 tackles. He played all but eight of the team’s 1,105 defensive snaps and set career highs in sacks (five), forced fumbles (three) and fumble recoveries (two). He has recorded more than 400 tackles and has not missed a game in his three-year NFL career.
From 2019 to 2022, Campbell was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten player at Iowa who, in his senior season, pulled off a historic sweep by becoming a unanimous All-American and winning the Butkus Award, Campbell Trophy and Big Ten Defensive Player and Linebacker of the Year.
USA TODAY network reporters Dave Birkett and Jacob Camenker contributed to this report
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Lions sign former Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell to $81 million deal
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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