Glover Quin would ‘love’ to sign extension with Lions
Allen Park — Glover Quin doesn’t know what his future holds, but he would love to finish his career with the Detroit Lions.
The 31-year-old safety is entering the final year of his contract with the team — a five-year, $23.5 million pact signed in 2013 that has proven to be worth every penny — and doesn’t know if this will be his last season with the franchise.
“It is my contract year, so it’s kind of weird,” Quin said. “Yeah, I would love to be here in Detroit. If I can sign an extension, I’d probably finish my career here. That would be huge for me. But I can’t control that. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, when it’s going to happen.”
Players don’t typically like to talk about their contract situation. That’s why they have agents. But Quin acknowledged his representation has reached out to the Lions. He didn’t offer any indication on the front office’s response.
Despite his advanced age, relative to his professional, Quin has shown no signs of slowing down. He’s been an ironman for the Lions, never missing a start, while being just one of a handful of defensive players to be on the field for every snap in 2016.
Even with the demanding workload, he enters the offseason program claiming he hasn’t felt this good in years.
“My body feels good, actually,” Quin said. “I feel like I’m 25 again. I actually feel better now than I probably did last year.”
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As he’s gotten older, he’s altered his approach to the offseason. As a young player, he’d take a month off after the season. But at 31, he understands it’s harder to get in shape after a long layoff, so now he makes sure he’s back in the gym almost immediately, maintaining his cardio.
A Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2014, Quin has intercepted 16 passes and forced three fumbles during his four seasons with the Lions. He is a leader on the field and active in the community off of it. General manager Bob Quinn faces the difficult challenge of weighing these contributions against the veteran safety’s age when determining whether to award another contract.
Quin doesn’t sound like he’s all that concerned about it.
“If they feel like I deserve it and I’ve earned it, they’ll make that happen,” Quin said. “If not, I’ll play my year in Detroit and say goodbye to you good people.”
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
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