In April 2024, Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a lucrative contract extension with the Detroit Lions. He became the NFL’s highest-paid receiver at the time, and his on-field production made him well deserving of the deal.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Contract Details
According to Ian Rapoport, St. Brown’s deal is worth over $120 million over four years. That means the average annual value was $30 million, which was then the high mark for NFL receivers.
St. Brown’s contract also included $77 million guaranteed, the most for a receiver in NFL history at that time. Based on average annual value in 2025, he is ranked as the seventh-highest paid receiver in the league behind the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and D.K. Metcalf.
A reported $77M guaranteed for #Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown represents the highest total guarantee for a WR in #NFL history (Cooper Kupp $75M).
Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, & Ja'Marr Chase now have a new bar to eclipse.
— Spotrac (@spotrac)
St. Brown, a fourth-round pick in 2021, was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract. So, it’s not a surprise that Detroit wanted to work out a deal now rather than risk losing St. Brown in free agency next offseason.
And though the price tag was steep, the Lions were wise to pay it.
Why St. Brown Deserved a Massive Contract
St. Brown undoubtedly is one of the NFL’s best receivers, but he rarely gets mentioned in the same breath as players such as Hill, Justin Jefferson, and CeeDee Lamb. After all, fans love boundary receivers who make jaw-dropping, highlight-reel plays on a regular basis.
That isn’t St. Brown. He’s more of a dominant slot receiver who is also talented enough to win outside. In 2023, he registered 335 snaps in the slot compared to 265 out wide, per Pro Football Focus. Only six receivers logged more snaps in the slot, including Lamb, who ranked fourth with 385. St. Brown missed one game, whereas the rest played full schedules.
St. Brown, our seventh-ranked receiver, finished the 2023 season as PFF’s fourth-ranked wideout behind Hill, Brandon Aiyuk, and Nico Collins. Regardless of where St. Brown lined up, he usually posted huge numbers.
The USC product set career highs in receptions (119), yards (1,515), and touchdowns (10). He was also a target hog, with his 158 targets ranking sixth (Lamb was first with 179). St. Brown also ranked fourth in PFF’s reception percentage with a rate of 75.3.
In his first three seasons with the Lions, St. Brown posted 315 catches, 3,588 yards, and 21 scores, good for per-season averages of 105 catches, 1,196 yards, and seven TDs. He also missed just two games.
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In the 2024 NFL season, Brown finished with 115 receptions for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns in 17 games. He averaged 11.0 yards per reception and played a huge part in his team’s success.
He’s tough. He’s durable. He’s prolific. He’s sure-handed. He’s a team captain. And, at 25 years old, St. Brown is just entering his prime.
The Lions backed up the Brink’s truck for St. Brown, who deserved every penny. His performance has set him up for another big payday in the near future.
Preview For Lions vs. Falcons Week 1 Preseason Game
After losing 35-7 to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, the Lions will hope to get back on track in Week 1 of the preseason against the Atlanta Falcons.
Jared Goff and his team have had heartbreaking playoff exits in the last two seasons, so it’s important for the Lions’ players to build confidence through the preseason.
The Atlanta Falcons are going all in with Michael Penix Jr., and the franchise’s failure to make the playoffs will be devastating.
As a result, the Falcons must also be sharp in the preseason. Although the NFC South is often considered one of the weakest divisions in the NFL, this year, Atlanta will face tough competition from Tampa Bay and Carolina, both of whom have pretty good rosters.
