The Detroit Lions would like to sign Amani Oruwariye to a contract extension this offseason, and the fourth-year cornerback said he “absolutely” wants to get a new deal done as well.
“Yeah, I love Detroit,” Oruwariye said Wednesday. “I mean, I love being here. I love everything it’s given me. It’s given me a chance to play in the NFL, so ideally that’s where I want to be at. But we’ll see.”
Lions general manager Brad Holmes said in March the team had discussed contract extensions for Oruwariye and fellow 2019 draft pick, tight end T.J. Hockenson.
The Lions exercised the fifth-year option on Hockenson’s rookie contract before April’s NFL draft, but do not have the same option available with Oruwariye.
A fifth-round pick in 2019, Oruwariye led the Lions with a career-high six interceptions in 14 games last season before finishing the year on injured reserve with a broken thumb.
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He is scheduled to make $2.54 million this fall in the final year of his rookie deal.
“I had a lot of good personal goals, I feel like, last year which were great and definitely a lot to build off of,” Oruwariye said. “But I think the next step is to win more games. I think coming over to next year, just bringing that experience and just trying to get any of the new guys to mesh into the room well and just elevate the younger guys’ game, and then just keep being consistent as much as I can and try to get some more Ws.”
Oruwariye is expected to play as the Lions’ No. 1 cornerback this fall in a secondary rife with injury concerns.
Jeff Okudah ruptured his Achilles tendon in the season opener last season and fill-in Jerry Jacobs suffered a torn ACL in December. Both players are expected back for training camp.
“I would love any kind of responsibility that, that brings because to me I think, like I said before, if you’re a corner in this league, you’re working your tail off and you’re making plays to become that No. 1 corner,” he said. “You want that respect around the league from receivers, from other corners, from everything. From your teammates in your locker room, so that’s always been the goal to be able to be that guy that has to step up to the plate every game, for sure.”
Orwuariye said his focus is on the Lions’ spring workout program and the upcoming season, but he said it was “pretty crazy” to see some of the contracts given to cornerbacks this offseason.
Denzel Ward signed a five-year, $100.5 million extension with the Cleveland Browns, Xavien Howard got a five-year, $90 million deal with the Miami Dolphins and J.C. Jackson got a five-year, $82.5 million free agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Seeing guys who maybe you played with or were at the Senior Bowl, whatever, kind of getting those opportunities, it’s amazing the things they can do for their families,” he said. “It’s awesome.”
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.