CBS Sports: Veteran Cornerback Decline Lucrative Contract Offer From San Francisco to Sign With The Detroit Lions.

Prior to Detroit’s primetime game against the 49ers on Monday night at Levi’s Stadium, veteran cornerback Amik Robertson told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that he declined a potentially more lucrative contract offer from San Francisco in free agency in order to sign with the Detroit Lions. Robertson’s decision to join the team last offseason is paying off.

Birkett writes, “Robertson told the Free Press this week the Lions reached out to him on the first day of free agency. His friendship with cornerback Kindle Vildor was the reason for his ardent interest in the Lions.” “When he and the team didn’t reach an immediate deal, he fielded other offers — including one potentially more lucrative from the 49ers. That first night, Robertson informed his agent he wasn’t ready to sign with the 49ers and that he would rather be in Detroit. By the following morning, the two parties had reached an agreement on a two-year, $9.25 million contract.

So far this season, Robertson’s decision has paid off, as the Lions are 13-2 going into a crucial “Monday Night Football” matchup with San Francisco. Detroit needs a victory to stay ahead of the 14-2 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North and contend for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Detroit would fall to the No. 5 seed and have to travel for a first-round playoff game if it couldn’t win the NFC North.

The Lions want retribution for losing to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game the previous season, regardless of the seeding ramifications. After a devastating loss, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy rallied San Francisco from a double-digit deficit to win the conference.

Four NFL teams have never made it to the Super Bowl, including Detroit. In 1957, the team won their final league championship.