NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions are giving offensive lineman Joe Dahl a 2-year contract extension.
Dahl has been a key reserve offensive lineman since he was drafted by general manager Bob Quinn in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. He has only started four games in his career — one last season — but he has played in 22 and has seen snaps all over the offense.
A college left tackle, Dahl was projected to shift inside in the NFL and after some experimenting at both left and right tackle in year two, Dahl has found a home as a versatile interior lineman, capable of playing at both guard spots, as well as center.
In addition to his offensive line play, Dahl routinely lined up as the Lions sixth offensive lineman in big sets last year, as well as playing at tight end and fullback — he was arguably their best fullback during the 2018 season.
This offseason, Dahl has been firmly in the rotation at left guard, challenging incumbent Kenny Wiggins for the vacated starting guard role after T.J. Lang’s retirement.
Dahl has had an up and down career, but he has made strides this offseason to get into better shape and he is very much a challenger to start at left guard.
Quinn often makes it a habit of signing the team’s core player during training camp of the final year of their contract and Dahl appears to be that first domino. Other players who are likely be considered are defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson and fellow interior offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, who we recently projected a contract extension for.
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