The Washington Commanders are currently reveling in the adulation of picking linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. This was considered a no-brainer after he fell out of the top five, which could give the franchise a long-awaited cornerstone in the middle of the defense long term.
Styles could be a game-changing addition to the Commanders. However, the Detroit Lions outlined the potential complications that could be ahead if everything goes well.
According to Eric Woodyard of ESPN, the Lions are declining the fifth-year option on Jack Campbell's rookie deal. This was projected to come in at  $21.925 million, which would have made him the league's highest-paid off-ball linebacker.
In contrast, the Lions picked up the option on elite running back Jahmyr Gibbs, which is costing them just $14.29 million.
Commanders' plans for the future should include Sonny Styles' contract
Detroit is reportedly looking to work out a long-term extension with Campbell, who earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors last season. If no agreement can be reached, the Lions run the risk of losing him for nothing when free agency hits in 2027, similar to how the Baltimore Ravens' situation with prolific center Tyler Linderbaum unfolded.
There is a long way to go before the Commanders face this scenario. It would be a nice problem to have, but with the salary cap continuing to soar, there's a chance Styles' fifth-year option will be much more than Campbell's when a decision is due.
Detroit declining Jack Campbell's fifth-year option (via @E_Woodyard).
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 29, 2026
The challenge of drafting off-ball LB in Round 1: Campbell has been a star for Detroit, a first-team All Pro. But the option number of $21.9M is cost-prohibitive.
Washington will face a similar issue with…
If Styles performs as the Commanders hope, they could trigger the option. If the price is too high, Washington could work out a long-term extension, spreading the costs and making them more manageable. And even though it's a long way off, this will no doubt have been at the back of general manager Adam Peters' mind when he went in this direction.
It would be surprising if the Lions and Campbell didn't find some middle ground. He's racked up 402 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks in just three seasons, becoming a defensive linchpin and a model of consistency. The Commanders are hoping for the same from Styles, who'll be tasked with filling the gaping void left by Bobby Wagner.
The money will take care of itself if expectations are met. Washington has hit on very few first-round picks over the last decade, but the tide is slowly turning with Jayden Daniels, Josh Conerly Jr., and now Styles. Peters will also recognize the importance of rewarding their contributions, even though that won't be cheap when the time comes.
To get the best, you have to pay. That also goes for keeping them.
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