Per Fox 2 Detroit’s Dan Miller, the Lions are passing on the fifth-year option with Butkus Award-winning linebacker Jack Campbell.
Exercising the fifth-year option on Campbell would have been $21.925 million, per Spotrac. Instead, Miller reports that the Lions hope to work out a long-term deal that “makes sense for both sides.”
Miller says that the Lions “absolutely consider Campbell part of their plans going forward,” but getting a longer deal done makes more sense for Detroit versus the option year in 2027.
Campbell ranked second in the NFL last season with 176 tackles. The 6-foot-5, 246-pound linebacker also added nine tackles for loss, five sacks, four passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last season with the Lions.
In his three-year NFL career thus far, Campbell has registered 402 tackles, 10 passes defended, 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Campbell has played in all 51 regular-season games over the last three seasons, starting 46.
The Lions are picking up the fifth-year option on running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs will earn $14.293 million in the 2027 season on the fifth-year option, per Spotrac.
Gibbs, a 5-foot-9, 202-pound back, rushed for 1,223 yards and 13 scores a season ago. The Alabama alum’s rushing yards ranked seventh in the NFL last season. Gibbs is a three-time Pro Bowler and was the NFL’s rushing touchdowns co-leader in 2024.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions decline Jack Campbell’s fifth-year option, eye long-term deal
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
