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Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is in some big trouble. But how much will it cost the Lions, particularly on the cap sheet?
Arnold was arrested on four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery on Wednesday, June 24.
The news came just hours after two defendants agreed to plea deals in a kidnapping and assault case they are alleged to have committed on Arnold’s behalf.
The charges carry a sentence of up to life in prison, and Arnold has since surrendered to a warrant at the Orient Road jail, the Tampa Police said in a statement, and remained in custody as of Wednesday night.
There have been rumblings about an incident surrounding Arnold for months, dating back to before the official NFL offseason began, so the Lions had plenty of time to plan for the potential loss of Arnold, even though they were seemingly operating as if he'd be with the team at the time.
The bad news for the Lions is there isn't a lot of time to add to the cornerback room with the NFL offseason all but wrapped up, but there is some good news.
Arnold's contract does not carry a particularly heavy penalty for the Lions.
IMPORTANT BACKSTORY: Inside the police incident involving Lions CB Terrion Arnold
According to Spotrac, a website that closely tracks player salaries and salary cap implications in all four major sports leagues and more, Arnold has just two years and $4.8 million guaranteed left on his rookie contract, not counting the team's fifth-year option for 2028.
So far, the Lions have paid Arnold $9.5 million, which included a hefty up-front payment of just over $8 million in his rookie season in 2024.
"Any suspension stemming from a violation of the league's conduct policy would void the guarantees," Spotrac co-founder Michael Ginnitti said in a post on X.
While Arnold is innocent until proven guilty, it's hard to imagine he'll be suiting up for the Lions at the start of the 2026 season, be it from a suspension or being placed on the commissioner's exempt list, often used for players while they navigate the legal process.
But either way, the Lions won't be feeling the pain of having a massive portion of their salary cap not on the field, despite Arnold being a big part of the team's plans.
It's time for some good old-fashioned competition in the Lions' cornerback room.
With Arnold's absence from the Lions seemingly a lock at this point, the depth will be the biggest question.
"D.J. Reed is a starter. Rock Ya-Sin is the favorite for the No. 2 job. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. could push for playing time if he stays healthy," Free Press Lions Insider Dave Birkett wrote in light of the Arnold news. The Lions signed free agent Roger McCreary and drafted rookie Keith Abney to play the slot. Special teams ace Khalil Dorsey and the well-traveled Nick Whiteside are among others vying for backup jobs."
So, in short, the Lions were not in a fantastic spot at cornerback before Arnold's injury, and now without him, they'll need someone to step up.
Dave Birkett contributed to this story.
Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. Contact him via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Terrion Arnold contract: How much Lions star is set to get paid
Continue reading...
Arnold was arrested on four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery on Wednesday, June 24.
The news came just hours after two defendants agreed to plea deals in a kidnapping and assault case they are alleged to have committed on Arnold’s behalf.
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The charges carry a sentence of up to life in prison, and Arnold has since surrendered to a warrant at the Orient Road jail, the Tampa Police said in a statement, and remained in custody as of Wednesday night.
There have been rumblings about an incident surrounding Arnold for months, dating back to before the official NFL offseason began, so the Lions had plenty of time to plan for the potential loss of Arnold, even though they were seemingly operating as if he'd be with the team at the time.
The bad news for the Lions is there isn't a lot of time to add to the cornerback room with the NFL offseason all but wrapped up, but there is some good news.
Arnold's contract does not carry a particularly heavy penalty for the Lions.
IMPORTANT BACKSTORY: Inside the police incident involving Lions CB Terrion Arnold
Terrion Arnold contract with Detroit Lions
According to Spotrac, a website that closely tracks player salaries and salary cap implications in all four major sports leagues and more, Arnold has just two years and $4.8 million guaranteed left on his rookie contract, not counting the team's fifth-year option for 2028.
So far, the Lions have paid Arnold $9.5 million, which included a hefty up-front payment of just over $8 million in his rookie season in 2024.
"Any suspension stemming from a violation of the league's conduct policy would void the guarantees," Spotrac co-founder Michael Ginnitti said in a post on X.
While Arnold is innocent until proven guilty, it's hard to imagine he'll be suiting up for the Lions at the start of the 2026 season, be it from a suspension or being placed on the commissioner's exempt list, often used for players while they navigate the legal process.
But either way, the Lions won't be feeling the pain of having a massive portion of their salary cap not on the field, despite Arnold being a big part of the team's plans.
Terrion Arnold replacements for Lions
It's time for some good old-fashioned competition in the Lions' cornerback room.
With Arnold's absence from the Lions seemingly a lock at this point, the depth will be the biggest question.
"D.J. Reed is a starter. Rock Ya-Sin is the favorite for the No. 2 job. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. could push for playing time if he stays healthy," Free Press Lions Insider Dave Birkett wrote in light of the Arnold news. The Lions signed free agent Roger McCreary and drafted rookie Keith Abney to play the slot. Special teams ace Khalil Dorsey and the well-traveled Nick Whiteside are among others vying for backup jobs."
So, in short, the Lions were not in a fantastic spot at cornerback before Arnold's injury, and now without him, they'll need someone to step up.
Dave Birkett contributed to this story.
Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. Contact him via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Terrion Arnold contract: How much Lions star is set to get paid
Continue reading...
