By Jeremy T Ballreich
The Detroit Lions finished the season as the penultimate team in the NFC. Making it to their first NFC Championship game since 1992! A lot of it should be accredited to the fantastic play of the best statistical Oline in the league. So, you would think there wouldn’t be a lot of changes there. Au Contraire mon freur, as Lee Corso would say. There were some minor yet significant changes.
Josh Reynolds WR (Goff’s security blanket), Jonah Jackson LG (Pro Bowler) both hit Free Agency and were signed by different teams. Jackson to the Rams (Big Pay Day) and Josh Reynolds to the Broncos (Slightly less than Market Value for him)
Donovan Peoples-Jones was brought back for a vet minimum salary of 1.5 million (Great value there). Giving him an offseason to work on the playbook and chemistry with Goff.
Teddy Bridgewater retires into HS coaching in Florida. While he’s preparing for that transition, he’s coaching up 2nd year QB Hendon Hooker who’s staying with him this off-season (Great idea). WRs of the Lions are there to assist in the training and working out themselves. Maurice Alexander (WR6 and SP Team guy) and 3rd year, 1st round pick! Lightning-fast Jameson Williams. Gives them a chance to work with someone that might be able to hit these speedsters in stride. Hopefully we’ll see the fruits of this in preseason games.
Another low-key brilliant signing Kevin Zeitler Pro Bowl OG from the Ravens, a 1 year 6-million-dollar deal. Lions also brought back veteran Graham Glasgow.
Almost lost RFA Brock Wright TE, to the San Francisco 49ers. Boutique the Lions matched their offer of 12 million total over 3 years with 6 million in guaranteed money. Somehow paying more, Matt Dunstill (Cap Mathmagician) actually made cap room with this. 2027 Wright will be an Unrestricted Free Agent with 1.5 million in a void year on the books. Average back up TEs playing at the TE2 position make between 5 and 9 million per year as veterans. Great job front office!
Defense loses some talent, some hype, but still got better overall:
Tracy Walker (Safety) Released. Freeing 5.5 Million of cap space.
Romeo Okwara (DE), Julian Okwara (OLB), Anthony Pittman (OLB), and Ceedy Duce (Safety) all left for Free Agency.
The best addition by subtraction was Benito Jones (DT) and the Safety (CB/Safety) Will Harris. Two of the worst players on the roster the last 3 years. I was not impressed.
The Lions add solid veterans at a discount, due to injuries last season with their previous teams. Marcus Davenport (DE/OLB) and D.J. Reader (DT) to be the leadership they expected Charkes Harris and Romeo Okwara to be.
Lions traded for a CB Carlton Davis III of Tampa. Tampa received pick 92 3rd round 2024 and 5th round pick 2025 in exchange for 2024 pick 201 6th round from Tampa. In essence a player for a pick. Davis already restructured his contract from a 14.t million dollar cap hit to 4.5 million. Proving he is a team player. I like this a lot.
Lions also add Amik Robertson in Free Agency via the Raiders. Upgrading the room tremendously, in my opinion.
Also a bit of drama amidst the free agency period. Cam Sutton arrested for domestic assault (downgraded from a class III felony arrest warrant for strangulation). Which when announced, the Lions cut Sutton before he was to be issued a 10.5 guaranteed contract this year. They also submitted the paperwork immediately for voiding the entity of his contract under the conduct unbecoming policy in his contract. Still awaiting approval from the NFL.
Also added CFL Defensive Player Of The Year, Matthieu Betts DE. He registered a whopping 18.5 sacks 10 TFls, and 5 passes defended with the British Columbia Lions last season. This is a low key very significant signing. Ceiling, he very well could be the next Cameron Wake in the NFL, the floor, he ends up back in the CFL next season. Low risk Jigh reward type of signing.
Some assistants change. But the Coordinators stay:
The Lions also removed several coaches from their website, including Brian Duker, Dre Bly, John Scott, John Fox and Jim Hostler.
Added Tyrell Williams (Titans) Dline Coach, and Deshea Thompson (Jaguars) DBs coach.
This is your Free Agency Action Review for your Detroit Lions. The NFC North Champions of 2024. Feels great to say. And even better to report it! Go Lions in 2025!!!! #OnePride
Thanks For Reading!!!!
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