ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Detroit Lions have reached an agreement with nose Damon Harrison on a 1-year contract extension — signing him through the 2021 season — worth $11 million, with $12 million in guarantees over the next two seasons.
The details of the contract have not been fully released but based on the numbers Schefter is reporting, this should not impact the Lions salary cap in 2019.
The fall out should look like this:
[Update] NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo is reporting of the $11 million increase, $2.25 will come in the form of per-game roster bonuses this season. Because this is a likely to achieve bonus, it should count against this year’s salary cap. Meaning, Harrison’s potential cap number could rise to $9 million in 2019, stay at $9 million in 2020, and drop down to $9 million in 2021. The guaranteed money stays the same.
The $12 million in guaranteed money likely isn’t an addition to his current contract over the next two years but rather a shifting of unguaranteed money to guaranteed money. This should not impact the Lions salary cap hit over the next two years unless they parted ways with the Pro Bowl nose tackle during that time, which is very unlikely.
What is does do is show Harrison a good faith gesture that they want him around long term and they’re willing to put money where their mouth is.
This is a win-win situation for both sides. The team keeps a key cog in their defense happy, with minimal increase to their cap while also adding another year on his deal. Harrison gets contract stability as he approaches age 31 (in November) and the comfort of knowing he is wanted in Detroit.
Lions Wire will have additional details on the contract as they become available.
