Lions Make Redding Highest Paid DT in League

In a move that puts their defense on par to have a huge 2007, the Lions made the move Monday resigning defensive tackle Cory Redding to a multi-year contract that will make him the highest paid defensive tackle in the league. The deal is for seven years, $49 million that includes $16 is guarantees, and a $13 million dollars in a signing bonus and roster guarantees. The Lions had until 4pm today to sign Redding or he would have been forced to only accept a one-year deal. Redding was the Lions third round pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. He will enter his fifth year with the team, and has played in 55 straight, making 48 straight starts.

Last season he switched from defensive linemen to defensive tackle, and with it came his best season in which he tied for the league high in sacks for DT’s with eight. Redding came into the 06 season with a total of four sacks for his career. The Redding deal tops the five-year, $33.24 million contract given to Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams. The signing of Redding shows that the Lions are serious about getting their defense into a position to be one of the better units in the NFC in 2007.