The Detroit Lions just locked up linebacker Jack Campbell on a four-year, $81 million extension. Good news for the franchise. But analyst Pat McAfee had something else on his mind entirely.

McAfee took a pointed jab at the Detroit fanbase, saying they have forgotten quarterback Jared Goff since the team missed the playoffs last season.

"It was a good time when everybody was chanting Jared Goff around town, you guys were running the playoffs, and all of a sudden you were the darlings," McAfee said. "I haven't heard one Jared Goff chant from Detroit since."

The Lions were the toast of the NFL just a year ago. They were coming off back-to-back playoff runs. Goff was the reason they were able to break the postseason drought after six seasons.

But that changed last season; they ended it with a 9-8 record and out of the playoff picture entirely. That will actually help Detroit this season.

"By virtue of finishing in fourth place, the team has the benefit of facing off against the fourth-place teams in the NFC West (Cardinals), NFC East (Giants) and AFC South (Titans)," John Maakaron of the Detroit Lions on SI reported May 4.

Even General Manager Brad Holmes agreed after the draft that the "silver lining" in missing that playoff berth was the team's chance for introspection.

That said, the Campbell signing was just a strategy for more moves coming in Detroit.

Detroit's Salary Cap Reality Is About to Get Complicated

The Lions currently have just $18.65 million remaining in salary cap space. At the same time, they still have Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta waiting for long-term contract extensions.

“This franchise that has been so close in recent years, and now it is going to be harder because they have to pay these guys on rookie contracts the money they deserve, and that creates less flexibility elsewhere on the roster,” NFL insider Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show.

Gibbs is currently on a four-year rookie deal worth $17.84 million. The running back is under contract through the 2027 season.

Meanwhile, LaPorta is also on a four-year rookie contract worth $9.46 million, but his deal is set to expire after the 2026 season.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore