BREAKING NEWS: Okwara, Lions agree to 3-year deal

Romeo Okwara agreed to a three-year deal worth $39 million to stay with the Detroit Lions Monday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 25-year-old defensive end is coming off a career-high 44 tackles and 10 sacks in 2020. 

Okwara, Lions agree on three-year deal

Fantasy slant: The Lions who ranked in the bottom five last season in collective pass rush win-rate have decided to bring back edge defender Okwara on what looks to be a very team friendly deal. Okwara, who is just 25 years old, had a breakout 2020 campaign in which he racked up 10-plus sacks and had a pass-rush win rate over 19%, which ranked near the top of the league for his position. This move by the Lions likely impacts the NFC North the most who all were going to get two cracks at a defense that was slated to lose its top pass-rusher. Now with Okwara staying in Detroit, the return of Trey Flowers, and the new regime bringing a more pass-rush friendly scheme to implement, the Lions might actually be able to get something going on defense.

While the improvement might be a modest one, it's a step toward limiting the gaudy passing numbers teams have dropped on the Lions at will during the Patricia era. — Brett Whitefield