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The Lions were certainly busy on Friday. Hot on the heels of the crucial four-year contract extension for punter Sam Martin, the team has moved ahead and agreed in principle to a three-year extension with running back Theo Riddick. First reported by ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Riddick will be signed to a three-year deal worth around $4.25 million dollars per year.
The #Lions and RB Theo Riddick have agreed on a 3-year extension worth $12.75M, source said. DET doing WORK today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2016
Theo Riddick, like Sam Martin, was a late-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Hailing out of Notre Dame, Riddick has been known for years as a versatile offensive threat, capable of lining up in the slot, receiving out of the backfield, gaining short yardage on third down and contributing on special teams. In fact, he’s almost known more now for his receiving capabilities than his rushing. In the 2015 season Riddick led the entire league in receptions among tailbacks, and he looks to factor heavily into Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter’s new system going into the 2016 season.
Before signing Riddick to this reported extension, the Lions were among the bottom quarter of the league in salary allocated to running backs.