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LB Derrick Barnes agrees to 3-year deal with Detroit Lions, avoids free agency
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- LB Derrick Barnes agrees to 3-year deal with Detroit Lions, avoids free agency
Derrick Barnes never wanted to leave Detroit. Now, he won't have to.
Barnes and the Lions agreed to a three-year contract Friday, keeping the veteran linebacker off the free agent market next week.
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The extension is worth $25.5 million total and includes $16 million guaranteed. ESPN first reported the deal.
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) and linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) celebrate a play against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
A fourth-round pick from Purdue in 2021, Barnes emerged as a full-time starter in 2023 and was ticketed for a major role at strongside linebacker last season before he tore the MCL and PCL in his right knee in a Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals .
Barnes missed the rest of the season, but was cleared by Lions doctors last month.
More: Darius Slay would 'love' to return to Lions; Carlton Davis on his way out in free agency?
"The first couple of weeks, it's hard," Barnes told the Free Press in November. "I thought about it a lot, but I look towards my faith and I know everything will work out in my favor, but now it's basically more of trying to get back to a 100% and trying to get back to my normal self.
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'And then obviously it was an important season, but every season to me is important whether it was contract or first year, third year. But no, it's mentally been good so I'm just, however that takes me, wherever it takes me, I'll get to that battle when I get to it."
Barnes said late in the season he hoped to stay in Detroit as a free agent.
He had a career-high 81 tackles in 2023 and is considered an every-down linebacker because of his pass-rushing ability.
The Lions are coming off a 15-2 season that ended with a divisional round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders . They have 14 unrestricted free agents on the defensive side of the ball , including starting cornerback Carlton Davis and versatile defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike.
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The free agent negotiating period begins Monday, and free agents can sign with other teams starting 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Dave Birkett is the author of the book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here . Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Bluesky , X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: LB Derrick Barnes agrees to 3-year deal with Detroit Lions
