The Detroit Lions have announced the contract details for nose tackle Roy Lopez, who signed with the team as a free agent earlier this offseason. According to reports, Lopez’s contract is a two-year deal worth $2.25 million, with a guaranteed amount of $350,000.
The contract details reveal that Lopez will earn a base salary of $1.1 million in 2023, with a roster bonus of $150,000. In 2024, his base salary increases to $1.15 million, with a roster bonus of $200,000.
Lopez’s signing with the Lions was seen as a depth move to bolster the team’s defensive line. The 26-year-old nose tackle has played for the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts in his NFL career, and has shown flashes of being a solid run-stuffer.
The Lions’ decision to sign Lopez to a two-year deal suggests that they view him as a rotational player who can provide depth and support to the team’s starting defensive linemen. With a guaranteed amount of $350,000, Lopez is likely to make the team’s 53-man roster, but his contract is structured in a way that allows the Lions to release him without taking on too much dead cap space.
From a salary cap perspective, Lopez’s contract is a relatively low-risk move for the Lions. The team has approximately $20 million in cap space remaining, and Lopez’s deal only accounts for a small portion of that amount.
Overall, the contract details for Roy Lopez provide insight into the Lions’ thinking on the defensive tackle’s role with the team. While he may not be a starter, Lopez is expected to provide valuable depth and support to the Lions’ defensive line.
As the Lions continue to build their roster for the 2023 season, they will likely look to make more moves to bolster their defensive line. With Lopez on board, the team has taken a step in the right direction, but there is still work to be done to build a formidable defense.
In the coming weeks and months, it will be interesting to see how Lopez fits into the Lions’ defensive rotation. With his experience and skillset, he has the potential to be a valuable contributor to the team’s defense.