The Detroit Lions face a fascinating dilemma with linebacker Jack Campbell, and the decision to decline his fifth-year option has sparked questions about whether the Pro Bowl star could follow a path similar to Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.
Campbell's 2025 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. The former first-round pick (2023) ranked second in the NFL with 176 tackles, tied for second among off-ball linebackers with five sacks, and added three forced fumbles and two recoveries. Those numbers earned him first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nod—but that selection came with a hidden cost.
Under NFL rules, a Pro Bowl appearance boosted Campbell's fifth-year option value from $15.124 million to $21.925 million. That's the equivalent of the 2026 linebacker transition tag, a price that doesn't reflect the true off-ball linebacker market. For context, top earners Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers) and Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens) average $21 million and $20 million per year, respectively. The Lions' decision to decline the option makes financial sense, even if it leaves Campbell's future uncertain.
The Lions have expressed interest in a long-term deal with Campbell, who is now set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. But he's not the only 2023 draft pick in a contract year. Safety Brian Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta—both second-round selections—are recovering from season-ending injuries. Branch tore his right Achilles in December, while LaPorta missed the final eight games after back surgery for a herniated disc. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, whose fifth-year option was exercised, is also due for an extension. These factors could accelerate Detroit's negotiating timeline.
The Linderbaum comparison is instructive. Like Campbell, Linderbaum had his option declined last offseason because the value exceeded his positional market—despite being a two-time Pro Bowler. The issue? NFL option-year salaries for offensive linemen don't differentiate by position, so a center's fifth year would have cost $23.402 million. Linderbaum bet on himself and delivered, proving that a player's best path can sometimes be the open market.
For Campbell, the blueprint is clear: continue playing at an All-Pro level, and the Lions—or another team—will pay him like the elite off-ball linebacker he's become. In a league where prime talent rarely hits free agency, Campbell's situation is one to watch closely.