Lions lower Cameron Sutton’s cap hit with savvy contract structure

Cameron Sutton has a miniscule cap hit this season for the Lions.

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Cameron Sutton Lions
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions filled one of their biggest needs by signing Cameron Sutton to a three-year, $33M contract, and he’ll barely count against the salary cap in Year 1.

That’s because the Lions tacked two void years onto Sutton’s contract, spreading out his $10.9 million signing bonus over five years.

In all, Sutton received $22.5 million in total guarantees. Here’s how the contract breaks down:

2023: $1.1M base salary (fully guaranteed); $3.28M cap hit

2024: $10.5M base salary (guaranteed for injury at the time of signing. $9M guaranteed for skill/cap at the time of signing. Additional $1.5M guaranteed for skill/cap if he’s on the roster on the third day of the 2024 league year); $12.68M cap hit

2025: $10.5M base salary; $12.68M cap hit

2026 (void): $4.36M cap hit

Featured image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports