Penei Sewell's $112 million contract starting to look like a bargain for Lions

Penei Sewell signed a $112 million contract extension over four years with the Detroit Lions last offseason. However, the All-Pro right tackle's lucrative deal is starting to look like a bargain.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Los Angeles Chargers are signing left tackle Rashawn Slater to a four-year extension worth $114 million with $92 million guaranteed.

The deal makes Slater the highest-paid offensive tackle in football on an average annual value basis ($28.5 million), surpassing Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristin Wirfs, who signed a five-year extension worth $140 million with Tampa Bay in August 2024. 

Wirfs' average annual value is $28.1 million.

"Chargers and left tackle Rashawn Slater reached agreement today on a four-year, $114 million contract extension that includes a record $92 million guaranteed and now makes him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history," Schefter wrote on X.

Slater and Wirfs are now the two highest-paid offensive tackles in the league, with Sewell being pushed back to the third spot with his $28 million average annual value. Though all three players deserve lucrative deals, Sewell's contract is starting to look more team-friendly for the Lions.

There's no denying that Sewell is one of the best players in football, as the Oregon product has been a first-team All-Pro selection in two consecutive seasons and is the anchor of one of the league's most dominant offensive lines in Detroit.

With Sewell under contract until 2030, he will continue to move down the list of highest-paid offensive tackles in the NFL over the next few years.

Obviously, the Lions will have to eventually give the superstar offensive tackle a new deal that will reset the market if he continues to play at a high level. However, as of right now, Sewell's deal is quickly becoming a bargain.

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