Though nothing has happened yet, the Lions would still like to get extensions done for Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown before the 2024 season.
"Yeah, those are priorities," Dan Campbell said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings. "Those are certainly priorities."
Goff, 29, is entering the final year of the contract he signed with the Rams in 2019 that carries a $32.3 million cap this season. He could command a deal worth $45 to $50 million a year.
St. Brown, 24, is entering the final year of his rookie contract that carries a $3.6 million cap hit this season. He could command a deal worth $25 to 30 million a year.
"I’m not going to get into those (talks), but certainly there’s conversations that are being had," Campbell said.
Goff has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL the past two seasons, second in completions and yards, tied for third in touchdowns and fifth in passer rating (98.6). Kirk Cousins, who has a career passer rating of 98.2 but is six years older than Goff and missed half of last season with a torn Achilles, just signed a four-year deal with the Falcons worth $45 million per season -- tied for seventh most among quarterbacks.
Asked last month about Goff's future, Lions GM Brad Holmes said, "Obviously Jared did a great job (last season) and we do collectively as an organization have a sense of the direction that we want to proceed with Jared -- and other players that are eligible for those discussions. But out of respect to the player and our process, we keep those conversations internal."
St. Brown has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL the past two seasons, third in receptions, fifth in yards and tied for eighth in touchdowns. Stefon Diggs, who's fourth in receptions, seventh in yards and tied for third in touchdowns over the past two seasons and is six years older than St. Brown, makes $24 million per year with the Bills -- tied for fifth most among receivers.
As All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell put it last season during the Lions' run to the NFC championship game, "Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time moments. It’s simple as that. Every time JG and Amon-Ra get in their flow, it’s one of the best out there."
Asked Tuesday what makes St. Brown special, Campbell said, "What doesn’t make him special?"
"His work ethic, his desire to be good, his will to overcome, the amount of film he watches, his pre-practice warmup, his post-practice routine, everything about him is about being the best player he can possibly be — being the best player. Not 'that he can be.’ He wants to be the best," Campbell said. "And it's not lip service. He literally does everything he can possibly do to be the best. And that’s why, there’s no secret.
"Just walk around with him. Why don’t you go live with him for a while if you really want to know what it looks like? Half the guys would say, 'I’m gonna be great,' and they'd go and they'd quit day 2 or 3. This guy just keeps going."
Elsewhere on the contract front, Campbell said Tuesday that the Lions are still in talks with free agent receiver Josh Reynolds. He caught 78 passes for 1,087 yards and eight touchdowns for Detroit over the past two seasons, an unsung hero of one of the best offenses in the NFL. He's a reliable No. 3 option who will be seeking a raise from his $3 million salary.
The Lions have already re-signed outside receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, who's four years younger than Reynolds, but Campbell made sure to point out, "We're still in contact with J-Rey."
"I don't think it’s a secret what we think about him as far as the type of player he is, the unselfishness, the dirty work, the versatility. Look, I love J-Rey and (re-signing Peoples-Jones) doesn’t mean something won’t get done," said Campbell.