We openly questioned whether the Detroit Lions may make a move in regards to defensive end John Cominsky’s contract last month. Although Cominsky, a seasoned defensive end, signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Lions last year, he had a disappointing season. The Lions’ cap hit increased from $2.3 million in 2023 to $6.2 million in 2024, raising questions about whether they would rework the terms of Cominsky’s contract or even cut him loose.
The Lions seem to have chosen option A. Salary cap website Over The Cap has updated Cominsky’s contract data, which indicate that the seasoned defender may have taken a pay cut for the 2024 campaign, as JBILL originally noted on Twitter. Look at this:
$5 million base pay, a prorated $1.2 million signing bonus, and a $6.2 million cap hit in 2024
New agreement:
2024: $4.2 million cap hit, $1.7 million prorated signing bonus, and $2.5 million base salary
In other words, Cominsky’s pay was cut by $2 million by the Lions. The Lions deducted an additional $500,000 from Cominsky’s pay as compensation for his issues, and they promptly turned that money into a signing bonus. Put another way, half of his unguaranteed salary—$500,000—became an instant, guaranteed bonus.
With this move, there is an instant $2 million more in cap space available for the 2024 season, and Cominsky is not included in calculations for 2025 or beyond. Cominsky will only count $1.7 million in dead cap if Detroit decides to part ways with him before the 2024 season starts, saving them an additional $2.5 million in cap space.