The Detroit Lions have reportedly decided to retain linebacker Derrick Barnes with a three-year contract.
As per Ian Rapoport, the Lions have re-signed Barnes to a three-year deal worth $25.5 million, including $16 million guaranteed.
This is a noteworthy contract for Barnes, whom the Lions selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Barnes began his career as a backup, but gradually developed into a key defensive player. In 2023, he largely fended off rookie Jack Campbell for most of the season. Then, in 2024, the Lions found a unique SAM linebacker position for Barnes, allowing him to perform as both an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker.
Barnes had a strong start to the season but unfortunately tore his PCL and MCL in Week 3, sidelining him for the remainder of the year.
With this deal, Detroit has solidified their linebacker corps for the foreseeable future. Campbell’s rookie contract runs through 2026 (with a fifth-year option in 2027), Barnes is now locked in through 2027, and Alex Anzalone is entering the final year of his deal. Other linebackers under contract include Malcolm Rodriguez (contract ends after 2025), Abraham Beauplan (futures contract), and DaRon Gilbert (futures contract). The Lions are expected to part ways with Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
You can stay updated on all Lions’ free agency activity with the 2025 Detroit Lions offseason tracker. You can also view the Lions’ depth chart and contract details via the 2025 contract tracker.