ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Awakened by a 7 a.m. Monday morning call from his agent, Tracy Walker learned that several NFL teams were showing interest as he prepared to test the free agent market for the first time.
Walker, however, already had his mind made up before receiving any further details. "We're going back to Detroit," Walker told him.
Walker agreed to a three-year, $25 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions that includes $17 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN on Tuesday.
Following a 3-13-1 record last year, Walker made it clear that he has "unfinished business" in the Motor City and wants to be part of the group to help change the culture.
Despite many of the same faces returning from a defense that gave up 27.5 points per game, which ranked 31st in the league, Walker's faith is in coach Dan Campbell, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and the rest of the staff.
"My coaching staff, I believe in these guys," Walker said. "They had a huge role in me wanting to come back. I believe in everything that these guys stand for and what they're all about. We're all on the same agenda. We all want to win. I've been here four years. I'm tired of losing in Detroit, and the coaches feel the same way.
"They're tired of Detroit being the laughingstock of the NFL, so that's the confidence right there. I see where things can be at, and we're only a couple plays away and that's been proven. I feel like we're on the come up. I'm not going to sit up here and try to act like I'm a genie or anything, but I'm very confident in what we're bringing this year."
The Lions have never won more than six games in Walker's first four seasons in Detroit, which has a 17-46-2 record during that span. He is coming off the best statistical season of his career, making a career-high 105 total tackles while earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 18.
Defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant has challenged Walker to return as a better leader. It's a challenge he has accepted.
"Everybody just always doubts the Lions and I hate that," Walker said. "I hate seeing people always think that we're not accounted for or, better yet, not going to be a winning organization just because of past history when each year and each team is different. This is a new team."