Barry Sanders' knee injury may have been the key to the four-year, $17.2 million deal he signed with the Detroit Lions.
"I believe the injury was a blessing in disguise because it didn't jeopardize his career but it let the Lions see just how important he is to the offense," agent Lamont Smith said Wednesday. "Sometimes it's difficult to see what you have until it's gone."The Lions have won just once since Sanders sprained his knee Thanksgiving Day, and their playoff hopes have been hampered by the slump.
The contract signed Wednesday makes Sanders the highest-paid running back in the league, topping the four-year, $13.6 million deal Emmitt Smith signed with Dallas. It also makes him the third-highest paid player overall, behind San Francisco's Steve Young - who makes a reported $4.9 million a year - and Denver's John Elway, who gets a reported $4.7 million.
"We're obviously pleased that we've been able to reach this agreement," Lions vice president Michael Huyghue said. "Barry is an important part of our team, and this ensures that one of our best offensive weapons is in place for the next four seasons."