The Lions found a good player in the bargain bin last season in Charles Harris. Now they're paying him what he deserves.
Detroit has re-signed Harris to a two-year, $14 million deal, according to NFL Network, after he led the team with a career-high 7.5 sacks. The former first-round pick came to the Lions on a one-year discount after producing just 6.5 sacks in the first four seasons of his career.
Harris earned his keep -- and shed the 'bust' label -- in Detroit by finishing among the NFL's top 20 edge defenders in quarterback pressures, among the top 15 in pass-rush win rate and among the top five in pass-rush win rate in true pass sets per Pro Football Focus, sandwiched between Pro Bowlers Trey Hendrickson (4th), Nick Bosa (6th) and Joey Bosa (7th).
With Harris, who turned 27 this month, a healthy Romeo Okwara and perhaps another pass rusher in the first round of the draft, the Lions -- the Lions!! -- might have a fun time getting after the quarterback next season. They ranked 30th in the NFL in sacks last season, and Harris was the only reason they didn't rank lower.
"Charles has been a relentless player for us all season long," Dan Campbell said after Harris delivered a mammoth performance to help the Lions upset the Cardinals in Week 14. "He’s a nuisance to quarterbacks, but he plays the run as well. He’s a well-rounded defensive end, outside linebacker, if you will."
It was after that game that Harris, asked about his pending free agency, said he "definitely" wanted to be part of something long-term with the Lions. He'll be here for at least the next two years, as Detroit tries to build on the strides it made at the end of last season.