The Detroit Lions will be keeping one of their defensive leaders from last season as they inked linebacker DeAndre Levy Wednesday to a four-year extension pact reportedly worth $33.72 million with $20 million guaranteed.
According to a report by ESPN, Levy and the Lions wanted to get the deal done as soon as possible with him saying the contract talks picked up in the past few days and he felt that a deal could be finalized Wednesday.
The Lions were keen on keeping Levy, with general manager Martin Mayhew recently saying, according to ESPN, "He's a phenomenal talent. We want to have him around. We're not trying to get him on the cheap."
Levy was drafted by the Lions in the third round, 76th overall in the 2009 National Football League (NFL) Draft and has continually improved through the years.
In the 2013 season he had six interceptions which was tied for the second most in the NFL; and last season he, recorded a total of 117 solo tackles.
The 28-year-old athlete is already one of the best 4–3 outside linebackers in the league. In a report by NFL.com, Levy was ranked just behind Khalil Mack and Von Miller last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
ESPN reported that Levy already said he is willing to play next season even without a new deal and again said after signing a his new contract that it is not really important to him.
In his previous deal before his new extension contract, Levy was set to earn $3.5 million for the 2015 season.
The Lions lost defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh this offseason after he signed with the Miami Dolphins last March.
Suh was the most notable player on Detroit's defense last season and was considered by many as the team's leader.
Now, the Lions have a new leader in Levy who told the Detroit News recently, "Suh didn't make the defense. We had a lot of guys last year playing their best football."
