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2025 Detroit Lions: 0-0 HOF Game on tape, as DC said..."We got work to do" (59 Viewers)

Anyways, Lions signed TE Shayne Zylstra for another year. Likely competing with Kenny Yeboah for one spot. They may draft one in the later rounds of the draft as well.
 
Payne said:
Yet some of you act like signing a big name free agent is flat out wrong.
Click to expand...
My involvement in this thread has been mostly limited to the last couple months, but I haven't gotten this sense from the others. There's just a very large difference between (paraphrasing) 'get a big name veteran' and putting names to it. Bosa is the only one you named that made me go 'huh, maybe.' He switched teams, demonstrated a willingness to play mercenary for a team in a window, and was just paid modestly.

3 of the others re-upped with their own team and as Zep mentioned Reddick is not a culture fit. Is it possible one of those 3 could have been pried away from their current teams? Sure, just about anything has > 0% chance of being possible, but anyone that followed the Garrett issue knows he wasn't going to be moved. Maybe if the Lions cold called something crazy like 4 future 1st's and the last one is deferred until the next time the Lions have a top 10 pick the Browns would've done some serious soul searching, but that wasn't realistically happening. I assume the Maxx and Mack issues wouldn't require something as crazy as Myles, but above and beyond market value? Oh, yeah. This isn't fantasy football, we're just on a fantasy football message board.
 
Lions keeping it simple, re-signing Patrick O'Connor.

Missed a golden opportunity for the PR Team by not getting this done on St Patrick's Day.


Couple exchanges today on the subscribers substack chat:

RandomLionsFan1: Lions probably should have done this deal if available: "Free agent pass rusher Azeez Ojulari is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year, $4 million deal, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Monday."
Justin Rogers: Was never a scheme fit. A 240-pound edge rusher doesn't stylistically fit what the Lions are about.

RandomLionsFan2: Question for you Justin - With releasing Smith and lack of moves on the edge, this seems like what they did last year in the offseason, banking on Paschal and Davenport. It's leading Brad into a place he doesn’t like to be in and that’s drafting for need. Do you see them adding a vet still? Or going into a better draft for edge rushers and going from there?
Justin Rogers: Free agency is not done yet, but yeah, the depth chart is a little light on edges, currently. I think there's room to add a vet. I'm still keeping an eye out for AQ Muhammad, which is a quick, cheap solution. Although possible, I'm doubtful they go out and get a bigger name at $8+ million.
 
one more....

:deadhorse:

Terrion Arnold offers strong advice to Lions fans for rest of offseason​

The Detroit Lions have had a quiet offseason thus far, but Terrion Arnold offered a strong message to fans who might be critical of Brad Holmes.

|2 hours ago

The Detroit Lions have had a quiet start of the offseason, choosing not to make many big splashes in free agency and the trade market. That development has left some fans very frustrated.

Coming off a second straight NFC North title, the Lions flamed out in the playoffs, leading many to wonder if they need to be more aggressive to reach their goal of winning a Super Bowl. It hasn't happened, but the players aren't feeling any disappointment about what has transpired so far.

Cornerback Terrion Arnold joined the team during the draft last season, and as he pointed out on social media, there's still plenty of time for Brad Holmes to make more big things happen to improve the roster.

Arnold's tweet - Words of Advice: Let Brad Cook!

Holmes has built Lions from a laughingstock into a contender in just three short years, and he's done it with commitment to his approach. The Lions haven't shelled out for mega contracts, instead leaning on the draft to find talent. Short of one more big addition, the draft could be where Detroit makes waves again in 2025. To that end, there's major truth in Arnold's message.

Terrion Arnold shows offseason training progress within new video post​

As for Arnold, next year is vital. After an up and down rookie year, the Lions expect the cornerback to make a major jump as a sophomore in the league. In order to do so, Arnold is going to have to grind all offseason and work on honing his craft constantly.

So far, he is off to a fantastic start in that regard. Recently, Arnold showed off some work he has been doing this offseason. It's clear he has been taking to heart his promise to get back to the field quickly following the frustrating playoff loss.

Lab

Though he only had 60 tackles and no interceptions in 2024, hopes are high for Arnold moving forward. New arrival D.J. Reed talked up his counterpart's abilities after signing in Detroit, and believes he is primed for a big career.

"He's still young. It was his rookie year. I thought Terrion (Arnold) played well. Obviously, he was handsy which is something that you could correct. That's totally fixable. As far as talent, as far as being sticky; there was reason why he was drafted in the first-round. He's going to be very good in my opinion. I think he's a Pro Bowl, All-Pro type of guy."

Not only does he have talent, but Arnold has proven himself as a mature team leader. Right now, he wants to see fans give their successful general manager the benefit of the doubt.


related: 5 Edge Rushers the Lions could still sign in Free Agency

5. Von Miller​

4. DeMarcus Walker​

3. Matthew Judon​

2. Emmanuel Ogbah​

1. Za'Darius Smith​

 

Recapping the great snoozefest/disastrous offseason of 2025​

​

Additions​

Signed by the Lions​

Players acquired via trade​

  • None yet

Lions released​

Lions traded​

  • None yet

Lions’ free agents​

Re-signed​

Tender applied​

  • G/C Michael Niese (ERFA) — 1-year
  • LB Trevor Nowaske (ERFA) — 1-year

Signed elsewhere​

Remain unsigned​

  • QB Teddy Bridgewater
  • RB Jermar Jefferson
  • WR Allen Robinson
  • WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
  • OT Connor Galvin (ERFA) — not tendered
  • G Kayode Awosika (RFA) — not tendered
  • EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
  • DL John Cominsky
  • NT Kyle Peko
  • LB Ben Niemann
  • LB Kwon Alexander
  • CB Khalil Dorsey
  • CB Emmanuel Moseley
  • K Michael Badgley

Future deal signings​

Feature article on initial 11 signings
  • QB Jake Fromm
  • WR Tom Kennedy
  • WR Ronnie Bell — Signed from 49ers
  • OT Jamarco Jones
  • IOL Kingsley Eguakun
  • DT Chris Smith
  • EDGE Isaac Ukwu
  • LB Abraham Beauplan
  • LB DaRon Gilbert
  • CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
  • S Loren Strickland
  • S Erick Hallett
 
90 players are on the roster when training camp opens

68 players currently under contract
7 draft picks in the 2025 NFL draft
XX UDFA signings post-draft

2023 - signed 13 UDFA players after the draft
2024 - signed 15 UDFA players after the draft

+68+7+13 = 88
+68+7+15 = 90

Seems like we are close to the end of pre-draft activity
 
Detroit Football Network

Free agent film study: What the Detroit Lions are getting in nose tackle Roy Lopez
https://substack.com/@detroitfootballnetwork
Justin Rogers
Mar 19, 2025

Allen Park — We’re moving on to our next film study of the Detroit Lions' offseason additions. After taking a closer look at cornerback D.J. Reed on Monday, let’s shift our focus to defensive tackle Roy Lopez.

The format for these posts will include a short bio, recent statistics, injury history, athletic profile, schematic usage, and a comprehensive evaluation of the player’s skill set with supporting clips from their 2024 tape.

Games watched​

Full games against Buffalo, Detroit, New England, Minnesota and San Francisco (Week 18) and parts of several others.

Bio​

An all-state offensive and defensive lineman and two-time state champion as a heavyweight wrestler in high school, Lopez committed to New Mexico State, where he was a four-year contributor. He finished his college career at Arizona, where he earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 after recording 18 tackles (4.0 for a loss) and a sack during a COVID-shortened, five-game season in 2020.

Selected in the sixth round by the Houston Texans in 2021 (No. 195 overall), Lopez played two years for the franchise, making 29 starts and averaging more than 500 defensive snaps per season. He recorded 67 tackles and 2.0 sacks during that stretch.

Lopez was released ahead of the 2023 season with an injury settlement (hamstring). He signed on to Arizona’s practice squad later that month and was elevated to the team’s 53-man roster after three days.

In two seasons with the Cardinals, Lopez appeared in 30 games, tallying another 70 tackles. He registered a single sack and 33 quarterback pressures during his time in Arizona.

Statistics​

  • 2024: 16 games, 467 snaps, 28 tackles, one forced fumble, three batted passes,1.0 sack, 19 QB pressures
  • 2023: 14 games, 395 snaps, 42 tackles, 1.0 sack, 18 QB pressures
  • 2022: 17 games, 558 snaps, 36 tackles, 15 QB pressures
  • 2021: 16 games, 501 snaps, 31 tackles, 1.0 sack, nine QB pressures

Durability​

Lopez has missed five games in four seasons. He was held out one game due to COVID-19 as a rookie, was sidelined the first three games of the 2023 season with the hamstring strain that led to his release in Houston, and sat out one week while battling a nagging ankle sprain in 2024.

During college, he missed most of his senior season at New Mexico State due to a lower leg hematoma.

Athletic profile​

Lopez has gained more than 10 pounds since measuring 6-foot-2 and 304 pounds during the pre-draft process in 2021. During that time, he displayed impressive strength, explosion and agility, hoisting the 225-pound bench press 36 times, leaping 31 inches in the vertical jump, and posting elite results in the three-cone and short shuttle drills for his position.

Usage​

Lopez has played exclusively along the defensive front as a pro. To begin his career, the Texans utilized him more as a 3-tech. The Cardinals shifted him further inside to nose tackle, aligning him more than half of his snaps directly over the center or in the A gap between the center and guard.

With the Texans, he worked on both the field goal kick and block groups on special teams. In 2024, he was used on field goal block by the Cardinals.

Skill assessment​


Run defense: Lopez’s game is centered around power and leverage. He’s typically the low man off the ball. He can usually anchor against both single and double-team blocks, rarely getting elevated or driven back.
The most impressive stretch in my review was his performance in the second half against Detroit, particularly the fourth quarter. Despite playing more snaps than his usual workload, Lopez showed no signs of fatigue down the stretch, maintaining his gaps against a steady stream of double-teams in the final frame.

His leverage and explosion are evident in goal-line situations, as he can fire off the ball and generate knockback.

Lopez demonstrates some lateral quickness at the snap. Married with a toolset that includes an effective club move that he often pairs with a swim, he is able to get occasional penetration into the backfield.

Lopez is less effective against zone schemes. He struggles to reverse his momentum to match a ball carrier’s cutback, and his below-average length contributes to some inconsistencies with tackling.

Pass rush: Lopez has a variety of pass-rush moves in his toolset but lacks an effective go-to. On film, he demonstrates the ability to successfully utilize a swim, rip, club, swim, and his favorite, a bull-shuck, where he transitions his power into driving the blocker downward into the ground as he did to Minnesota center Garrett Bradbury below.


His initial steps are inconsistent but can be explosive, particularly laterally, where he can get an edge on an interior lineman and affect the pocket as he did on back-to-back snaps against New England.

The Cardinals frequently utilize inside stunts. Lopez is better at setting up his teammates by crashing into a blocker than acting as a looper. He lacks the quickness and length to affect the pocket in a timely manner.

Lopez plays with active hands but lacks an effective counter-rush ability. A single blocker with good footwork can consistently keep him at bay.

Once he stalls out, Lopez keeps his head up, eyes in the backfield and feet moving, looking for opportunities to get his hands in the passing lane.

His eyes and awareness also show up in the screen game. He’s quick to identify those looks and shift his pursuit to the back, resulting in a tackle-for-loss against the Vikings.

Conclusion​

Lopez is a prototypical nose tackle who plays with impressive strength and leverage against the run. His ability to maintain gaps against double-teams is excellent and doesn’t diminish in the late stages of games. He should benefit from better linebacker play behind him in Detroit.

As a pass-rusher, Lopez has intermittent flashes where he threatens the pocket, but there’s no consistency. He didn’t have more than two pressures in a game last season and finished several contests with zero hurries, hits or sacks. In fact, his only sack in 2024 came on a hustle play in the opener, when Buffalo’s Josh Allen held on to the ball too long before attempting to bail from his pocket. Lopez got home more than five seconds after the snap.

His greater contributions to the pass rush will more likely be things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. He’ll execute his end of a stunt, freeing up his more athletic teammates to disrupt the pocket, will get his hands in passing lanes, and will rarely surrender his gap as an escape lane for a scramble.

Presumably, Lopez will rotate with DJ Reader, limiting drop-off when the veteran comes off the field. The pair should also work well together in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

As a mentor, Lopez could help Brodric Martin with his inconsistent leverage, allowing the third-year project to turn a corner with his development.
 
It's tough to sign or trade for an EDGE that can both set the edge and pass rush. Seems like guys have gotten specialized, which is what makes a guy like Hutchinson so special. It also makes guys like Crosby or Garrett extra special and worthy of multiple firsts.

Best way to get a guy like that and not completely break your capital is to draft them. Just hope you get a guy that hits late in the first. Because that seems to be your real other need on the team. I can't think of one on offense, your LBs are coming back, you added Reed to your secondary, and it's really just the defensive line. Everybody says BPA and the Lions have shown us they'll do that, but back end of the first round? You can forgive addressing a need, I think.

I don't know. I'd be awfully tempted to go BPA in the first, but what if it all coincides nicely?
 
rockaction said:
It's tough to sign or trade for an EDGE that can both set the edge and pass rush. Seems like guys have gotten specialized, which is what makes a guy like Hutchinson so special. It also makes guys like Crosby or Garrett extra special and worthy of multiple firsts.

Best way to get a guy like that and not completely break your capital is to draft them. Just hope you get a guy that hits late in the first. Because that seems to be your real other need on the team. I can't think of one on offense, your LBs are coming back, you added Reed to your secondary, and it's really just the defensive line. Everybody says BPA and the Lions have shown us they'll do that, but back end of the first round? You can forgive addressing a need, I think.

I don't know. I'd be awfully tempted to go BPA in the first, but what if it all coincides nicely?
Click to expand...
Unless they address it before the draft, the one position other than defensive line that the Lions need is a guard. But edge is still the top need by a lot over interior D-line and guard.
 
Payne said:
Zeppelin said:
msudaisy26 said:
It is football windows close fast unless you have an all time great at qb and as good as Goff is and has been he isn't close to Brady or Mahomes.
Click to expand...
They don't close fast when you have a great core and they're almost all young. Also, nobody is as good as Brady or Mahomes.
Click to expand...
I would argue their door is almost closed now.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go that far. I think they are in the middle of it though.
 
Leroy Hoard said:
I hate when someone says "I'm done here". Then you see them pop up an hour later. Just keeping it real.
Click to expand...
First of all, that isn't what I said is it?

I'm done with the back and forth about what they should or shouldn't do. That was my point.
Arguing THAT isn't worth it.

I have my opinion. It is shared by many. You hear it on the radio just like I do.
You and some others have a different view. So be it.
 
msudaisy26 said:
Payne said:
Zeppelin said:
msudaisy26 said:
It is football windows close fast unless you have an all time great at qb and as good as Goff is and has been he isn't close to Brady or Mahomes.
Click to expand...
They don't close fast when you have a great core and they're almost all young. Also, nobody is as good as Brady or Mahomes.
Click to expand...
I would argue their door is almost closed now.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go that far. I think they are in the middle of it though.
Click to expand...
"Almost". However, why is that going too far?

Two years ago the stars aligned and they had a wonderful chance to go all the way.
A few drops from Reynolds and they lost a game they should have won against San Fran.
I think they could have beat KC in the Super Bowl.

Last year was probably their year. A healthy Lions team and a healthy Eagles team would have been a great matchup.
We all know how the injuries changed that.

Now, here we are in 2025. We have lost a ton from the coaching staff. That isn't easily replaceable. Those things take time to adjust.
The offense MAY not be as effective. We don't know.
The defense is going to be different. We don't know how Hutch is going to be. McNeil may not be back until mid-season.

They have a brutal schedule AND teams around us have gotten better.

I don't think it's a stretch to think the past two years were their best shot.
 
Zeppelin said:
rockaction said:
It's tough to sign or trade for an EDGE that can both set the edge and pass rush. Seems like guys have gotten specialized, which is what makes a guy like Hutchinson so special. It also makes guys like Crosby or Garrett extra special and worthy of multiple firsts.

Best way to get a guy like that and not completely break your capital is to draft them. Just hope you get a guy that hits late in the first. Because that seems to be your real other need on the team. I can't think of one on offense, your LBs are coming back, you added Reed to your secondary, and it's really just the defensive line. Everybody says BPA and the Lions have shown us they'll do that, but back end of the first round? You can forgive addressing a need, I think.

I don't know. I'd be awfully tempted to go BPA in the first, but what if it all coincides nicely?
Click to expand...
Unless they address it before the draft, the one position other than defensive line that the Lions need is a guard. But edge is still the top need by a lot over interior D-line and guard.
Click to expand...

at #28, they're probably looking at ED5 or ED6 / DT2 or DT3

for Edge, you usually need to move up inside the Top 15 to get a high end player but rn it's looking like they'll still have some upside players available toward the back end (subject to change lol)

#60 might be a good spot to double down if it were my war room

fairly deep class at C, G and shorter/short arm T who could be pushed inside, think 102 or 130 and even 196 might be semi-realistic


I know the mantra (and past drafts match this) is draft for talent not needs, but IDK man - really do wish we would pick up a Calais Campbell or Matthew Judon before the end of next month

But Holmes doesn't have too many misses on his report card so I'll just trust he has a plan
 
Payne said:
msudaisy26 said:
Payne said:
Zeppelin said:
msudaisy26 said:
It is football windows close fast unless you have an all time great at qb and as good as Goff is and has been he isn't close to Brady or Mahomes.
Click to expand...
They don't close fast when you have a great core and they're almost all young. Also, nobody is as good as Brady or Mahomes.
Click to expand...
I would argue their door is almost closed now.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go that far. I think they are in the middle of it though.
Click to expand...
"Almost". However, why is that going too far?

Two years ago the stars aligned and they had a wonderful chance to go all the way.
A few drops from Reynolds and they lost a game they should have won against San Fran.
I think they could have beat KC in the Super Bowl.

Last year was probably their year. A healthy Lions team and a healthy Eagles team would have been a great matchup.
We all know how the injuries changed that.

Now, here we are in 2025. We have lost a ton from the coaching staff. That isn't easily replaceable. Those things take time to adjust.
The offense MAY not be as effective. We don't know.
The defense is going to be different. We don't know how Hutch is going to be. McNeil may not be back until mid-season.

They have a brutal schedule AND teams around us have gotten better.

I don't think it's a stretch to think the past two years were their best shot.
Click to expand...
Below is why I think the Lions window is very strong for a minimum of 2 years (and possibly longer):

First, their core of draft picks in Holmes' first 4 drafts, which I already mentioned but will do so again:

2021: Sewell, McNeill, St. Brown, Barnes.
2022: Hutchinson, Jamo, Joseph.
2023: Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta, Branch.
2024, Arnold, Mahogany.

I included Mahogany because he played at a high level in his 2 starts last year and it's pretty much a given that he will start this year.

Assuming the Lions sign Hutchinson and Joseph to extensions (as expected), that is 13 players all in their mid 20s or younger. Laporta and Branch have 2 years left on their contracts, everyone else has at least 3.

In addition, Goff is signed long term and Ragnow is signed for 2 years and he said he isn't retiring anytime soon. That's 15 very good football players and all but 3 signed for at least 3 years. That's as good of a core as you're going to see. That doesn't factor in 2025 and 2026 drafts and given Holmes' track record you have to think there will be a few good players coming down the pike
 
Zeppelin said:
Payne said:
msudaisy26 said:
Payne said:
Zeppelin said:
msudaisy26 said:
It is football windows close fast unless you have an all time great at qb and as good as Goff is and has been he isn't close to Brady or Mahomes.
Click to expand...
They don't close fast when you have a great core and they're almost all young. Also, nobody is as good as Brady or Mahomes.
Click to expand...
I would argue their door is almost closed now.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go that far. I think they are in the middle of it though.
Click to expand...
"Almost". However, why is that going too far?

Two years ago the stars aligned and they had a wonderful chance to go all the way.
A few drops from Reynolds and they lost a game they should have won against San Fran.
I think they could have beat KC in the Super Bowl.

Last year was probably their year. A healthy Lions team and a healthy Eagles team would have been a great matchup.
We all know how the injuries changed that.

Now, here we are in 2025. We have lost a ton from the coaching staff. That isn't easily replaceable. Those things take time to adjust.
The offense MAY not be as effective. We don't know.
The defense is going to be different. We don't know how Hutch is going to be. McNeil may not be back until mid-season.

They have a brutal schedule AND teams around us have gotten better.

I don't think it's a stretch to think the past two years were their best shot.
Click to expand...
Below is why I think the Lions window is very strong for a minimum of 2 years (and possibly longer):

First, their core of draft picks in Holmes' first 4 drafts, which I already mentioned but will do so again:

2021: Sewell, McNeill, St. Brown, Barnes.
2022: Hutchinson, Jamo, Joseph.
2023: Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta, Branch.
2024, Arnold, Mahogany.

I included Mahogany because he played at a high level in his 2 starts last year and it's pretty much a given that he will start this year.

Assuming the Lions sign Hutchinson and Joseph to extensions (as expected), that is 13 players all in their mid 20s or younger. Laporta and Branch have 2 years left on their contracts, everyone else has at least 3.

In addition, Goff is signed long term and Ragnow is signed for 2 years and he said he isn't retiring anytime soon. That's 15 very good football players and all but 3 signed for at least 3 years. That's as good of a core as you're going to see. That doesn't factor in 2025 and 2026 drafts and given Holmes' track record you have to think there will be a few good players coming down the pike
Click to expand...

That is a lot of assumptions that people won't regress, get hurt or leave.
 
I have waited a long time for Detroit to construct a sustainable roster filled with talent. Here we sit with very few holes in the roster and youthful talent spread throughout the lineup. I choose to be excited about not only what Holmes has done with this roster, but also what he will do going forward. That is it.

Signed,
Thrilled Lifelong Lions Fan
 
Red Wings are fading hard, about to miss the playoffs for the 9th straight season. 0 playoff wins in the 12 seasons since they were shifted to the Eastern Conference.

Tigers had a magical final 7 weeks last year, there first winning season in 8 years, first playoff appearance in a decade. While they still have the triple crown pitcher, and did little to improve the team. Chances to make it back to the postseason (per the The Athletic) are 29.6%.

Pistons are humming, more or less locked into the 6th seed. Hurray. The franchise's last playoff game wins came in the 2007–08 season (they made the playoffs the next year but were swept in the 1st round). Since 2008–09, the Pistons have had only two seasons with at least a .500 winning percentage, have made the postseason only three times, and have an overall winning percentage of .363.

Lions
  • back to back NFC North Champions (franchise first)
  • 35-9 (.795) since Halloween 2022, a stretch that does not include a single losing streak
  • coming off their best season in the 95 year history of the franchise in which they set a boatload of records
MFers aren’t even trying to get better. Totally understand the frustration with the lack of big splashy moves from Brad Holmes. What the heck, do they think they can just stay the course and keep doing what they’ve been doing? Is that not the very definition of insanity?
 
When the Wings hired Yzerman in 2019 I would have bet the farm they would be a playoff mainstay by 2025. They obviously are nowhere close to that and it is to the point where his job continuation should be a conversation. Point, it is difficult to build sustainable with a franchise that has struggled.
 
The Detroit Lions have proposed a significant change to NFL playoff seeding that would largely use regular-season records as the guiding principle, rather than division championships, according to a list of potential rule changes the league released Wednesday.

Under the proposal, the division winner with the conference's best record would still receive the No. 1 overall seed. But after that, teams would be stacked by records, regardless of whether they won their divisions or received wild-card berths.
 
IHEARTFF said:
The Detroit Lions have proposed a significant change to NFL playoff seeding that would largely use regular-season records as the guiding principle, rather than division championships, according to a list of potential rule changes the league released Wednesday.

Under the proposal, the division winner with the conference's best record would still receive the No. 1 overall seed. But after that, teams would be stacked by records, regardless of whether they won their divisions or received wild-card berths.
Click to expand...

The Lions also proposed two other rule changes which are legit pretty hilarious.
  • 1. Eliminate automatic first downs on illegal contact and defense holding penalties
  • 2. Change playoff seeding so that Wild Card teams with a better record get a higher seed than a division winner
  • 3. Players placed on IR before cutdown date do not count against the team’s 90-man roster limit
1 made me lol and 3 made me cry, so I give this 2 thumbs up.

👍🏻 👍🏻
 
BobbyLayne said:
IHEARTFF said:
The Detroit Lions have proposed a significant change to NFL playoff seeding that would largely use regular-season records as the guiding principle, rather than division championships, according to a list of potential rule changes the league released Wednesday.

Under the proposal, the division winner with the conference's best record would still receive the No. 1 overall seed. But after that, teams would be stacked by records, regardless of whether they won their divisions or received wild-card berths.
Click to expand...

The Lions also proposed two other rule changes which are legit pretty hilarious.
  • 1. Eliminate automatic first downs on illegal contact and defense holding penalties
  • 2. Change playoff seeding so that Wild Card teams with a better record get a higher seed than a division winner
  • 3. Players placed on IR before cutdown date do not count against the team’s 90-man roster limit
1 made me lol and 3 made me cry, so I give this 2 thumbs up.

👍🏻 👍🏻
Click to expand...
I have to admit those all seem to be very close to home. But I'm sure the Vikings will sign off on #2.
 
Leroy Hoard said:
BobbyLayne said:
IHEARTFF said:
The Detroit Lions have proposed a significant change to NFL playoff seeding that would largely use regular-season records as the guiding principle, rather than division championships, according to a list of potential rule changes the league released Wednesday.

Under the proposal, the division winner with the conference's best record would still receive the No. 1 overall seed. But after that, teams would be stacked by records, regardless of whether they won their divisions or received wild-card berths.
Click to expand...

The Lions also proposed two other rule changes which are legit pretty hilarious.
  • 1. Eliminate automatic first downs on illegal contact and defense holding penalties
  • 2. Change playoff seeding so that Wild Card teams with a better record get a higher seed than a division winner
  • 3. Players placed on IR before cutdown date do not count against the team’s 90-man roster limit
1 made me lol and 3 made me cry, so I give this 2 thumbs up.

👍🏻 👍🏻
Click to expand...
I have to admit those all seem to be very close to home. But I'm sure the Vikings will sign off on #2.
Click to expand...

Packers proposed banning the Tush Push
 
As I'm sure everyone heard today, Goff is taking part in the next season of the Netflix series "Quarterback."

Burrow and Cousins will also be on the show.
 
King of the Jungle said:
When the Wings hired Yzerman in 2019 I would have bet the farm they would be a playoff mainstay by 2025. They obviously are nowhere close to that and it is to the point where his job continuation should be a conversation. Point, it is difficult to build sustainable with a franchise that has struggled.
Click to expand...

I would have agreed with you because the Tigers and Pistons were just beyond awful.

The NFL stands for Not For Long. You can rebuild very quickly and make a run and your window can slam shut faster than you realize. That is why myself, Payne and a few others are disappointed about the off-season so far.

We appreciate what the Lions have done so far, but let's worry about 2027 and beyond in 2027 and beyond.

There is no guarantee that last years draft class pans out. Jamo or others might ask for more money than the Lions want to pay, there is no guarantee that Ragnow's foot doesn't get worse and he gets worse, Alim has had 2 major knee injuries, Decker and Montgomery are getting up there in football years.

If Brad and company are as awesome as everyone in here says there is no reason why they couldn't go for it now and retool in 26 or 27 or whenever. Eagles did it, Chiefs did it, Ravens did it, Bucs did it, Rams did it. Are we really saying that our front office isn't as good as all them, I don't think that is the case at all.
 

Al-Quadin Muhammad re-signing, Jared Goff to star in Netflix docuseries and Lions propose two rule changes​


The Detroit Lions continued to re-sign their own free agents a week into the new league year, reaching a one-year agreement with defensive end Al-Quadian Muhammad. Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed the deal.

An early-season addition to the practice squad in 2024, Muhammad was called up to the main roster in Week 8, appearing in the final nine games, including two starts.

Playing more than 250 defensive snaps, he proved to be a valuable fill-in for the injury-depleted position, delivering 11 tackles, 3.0 sacks and 26 quarterback pressures.

He fleshes out an edge-rushing group that is returning Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal. Davenport, who missed most of the 2024 campaign with a torn triceps, also re-signed with the Lions on a one-year deal this month.

Tweaking the rules

The Lions love proposing rule changes.

They suggested four changes to the league's rule book and bylaws last year, including a pair that were adopted. This year, they are proposing more changes, including a significant adjustment to the playoff format.

The Lions are asking the league to consider allowing Wild Card teams to earn a higher seed than a division winner with a worse record. As it currently stands, the four division champions in each conference automatically receive the top four seeds and get at least one home game in the postseason.

The proposal comes on the heels of last season's dramatic season finale between the Lions and Vikings. Both teams entered the matchup with 14-2 records. The Lions won the game, earning the conference's No. 1 seed and a bye. The Vikings dropped to the No. 5 seed and had to go on the road for the Wild Card round.

If the Lions' proposal were adopted, the Vikings would have opened the playoffs at home last season. Instead, they lost to the Rams in a game that was shifted to Arizona due to wildfires in California.

In addition to reconfiguring the playoff formatting, the Lions are asking the league to consider removing the automatic first down component with defensive holding and illegal contact penalties, which are both 5-yard infractions. It's likely not a coincidence the Lions have been flagged for these two penalties more than any other team over the past two seasons.

Finally, the Lions want to adjust injured reserve rules so that a player placed on IR during training camp doesn't count toward the 90-man, regular-season limit of the combined active roster, practice squad and injured reserve.

Other rule-change proposals include Green Bay seeking to prohibit offensive players from pushing a teammate who takes a snap, effectively banning the "Tush Push." Also, Philadelphia wants to adjust overtime to be a 15-minute period where both teams get the opportunity to possess the ball, regardless of the outcome of the opening possession.

Goff up next on Netflix

Netflix announced a third season of its NFL docuseries "Quarterback" on Wednesday. After veering from the original concept to follow a group of pass catchers last year, including Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown, teammate Jared Goff will be among a trio of signal-callers who will be featured this year.

The series, which will return to the streaming platform in July, will also feature Cincinnati's Joe Burrow and Atlanta's Kirk Cousins, who was part of the original casting.

The Goff storyline will focus on Detroit's 2024 season, not the upcoming campaign.
 
msudaisy26 said:
The NFL stands for Not For Long. You can rebuild very quickly and make a run and your window can slam shut faster than you realize. That is why myself, Payne and a few others are disappointed about the off-season so far.

We appreciate what the Lions have done so far, but let's worry about 2027 and beyond in 2027 and beyond.

There is no guarantee that last years draft class pans out. Jamo or others might ask for more money than the Lions want to pay, there is no guarantee that Ragnow's foot doesn't get worse and he gets worse, Alim has had 2 major knee injuries, Decker and Montgomery are getting up there in football years.

If Brad and company are as awesome as everyone in here says there is no reason why they couldn't go for it now and retool in 26 or 27 or whenever. Eagles did it, Chiefs did it, Ravens did it, Bucs did it, Rams did it. Are we really saying that our front office isn't as good as all them, I don't think that is the case at all.
Click to expand...
Who says the Lions aren't going for it? They built a roster that went 15-2 last year and that's with 6 defensive starters and even more backups on IR. Going for it doesn't always mean making expensive splash moves. Even after Hutchinson went down, that roster was favored to win the Super Bowl and we are bringing back everyone except Zeitler.

Right now the Lions have one of the best rosters in the NFL and they aren't done making moves. There is also a draft in a month.

I believe they went for it last year and prior to the injuries had a team that was good enough to win the Super Bowl. That's all I can ask for and I think they'll do the same this year.
 
Zeppelin said:
msudaisy26 said:
The NFL stands for Not For Long. You can rebuild very quickly and make a run and your window can slam shut faster than you realize. That is why myself, Payne and a few others are disappointed about the off-season so far.

We appreciate what the Lions have done so far, but let's worry about 2027 and beyond in 2027 and beyond.

There is no guarantee that last years draft class pans out. Jamo or others might ask for more money than the Lions want to pay, there is no guarantee that Ragnow's foot doesn't get worse and he gets worse, Alim has had 2 major knee injuries, Decker and Montgomery are getting up there in football years.

If Brad and company are as awesome as everyone in here says there is no reason why they couldn't go for it now and retool in 26 or 27 or whenever. Eagles did it, Chiefs did it, Ravens did it, Bucs did it, Rams did it. Are we really saying that our front office isn't as good as all them, I don't think that is the case at all.
Click to expand...
Who says the Lions aren't going for it? They built a roster that went 15-2 last year and that's with 6 defensive starters and even more backups on IR. Going for it doesn't always mean making expensive splash moves. Even after Hutchinson went down, that roster was favored to win the Super Bowl and we are bringing back everyone except Zeitler.

Right now the Lions have one of the best rosters in the NFL and they aren't done making moves. There is also a draft in a month.

I believe they went for it last year and prior to the injuries had a team that was good enough to win the Super Bowl. That's all I can ask for and I think they'll do the same this year.
Click to expand...

They are going for it, as is every team in the NFL is. They just seem to lack the urgency that teams that have come close and failed seen to have. Everyone has the draft to get better. Last season draft didn't pay immediate dividends.

I am a big believer that the lines control the game. The O line is top notch and can draft and develop. The D line not so much and the two best guys are coming off major injuries. Plus they just keep bringing the guys back on that line that let Aiden lead the team in scaks and pressures while missing 10ish games.
 
The 2025 range of outcomes does include the possibility the Detroit Lions will regress. You'd be hard pressed to make a case it's the highest probability, but nothing in life is for certain.

You wanna focus on that possibility, cool beans, you do you.


That Franchise Guy -

Grading How EVERY NFC Team Did in Free Agency (So Far)​


VIKINGS 2:09:26
LIONS 2:25:37
BEARS 2:30:25
PACKERS 2:43:11
 
BobbyLayne said:
The 2025 range of outcomes does include the possibility the Detroit Lions will regress. You'd be hard pressed to make a case it's the highest probability, but nothing in life is for certain.

You wanna focus on that possibility, cool beans, you do you.

Click to expand...
Coming off a 15 win season the chance of winning less regular season games is probably pretty high imo. But if they can make the playoffs in a healthier condition than last year, there is also a good chance of them progressing in the post season. Like you said, there is a range of possible outcomes here and sometimes luck is a factor.
 
DFN mailbag

Q: With DJ Reader and Roy Lopez both being nose tackles, does Brodric Martin even have a path to making the roster? — Joel L

Justin: Joel, that’s an excellent question and one I’ve been considering since the Lopez signing. I have no problem admitting I hadn’t anticipated the Lions retaining Reader and bringing on another veteran nose tackle via free agency.

Martin clearly didn’t progress the way the team had hoped in his second season. A knee injury in late August derailed his positive momentum, and once he finally returned to action, it was like hitting the reset button.

We’ll learn more about his future as the offseason program progresses. Who knows? Maybe things will click through his training and relationship with new position coach Kacy Rodgers. With Reader and Lopez on deals that expire at the end of the season, there’s no rush to pull the plug on Martin. The cap savings would be trivial and don’t change between now and September.

For what it’s worth, I don’t think the team can cut Martin after training camp and reasonably expect to get him back on the practice squad.

A few other teams that liked him coming out of Western Kentucky would likely find space on their rosters. His size and length are too rare.

Q: With the draft about a month away, do you think they will stay a pick 28 or trade back? — Quintin Sweat

Justin: Quintin, you probably already know this, but there are too many unknown variables to reasonably project whether the Lions remain at pick No. 28 or trade out of the spot. We’d have trouble accurately predicting 10 picks before the team is on the clock, let alone a month out.

I won’t do the research to provide an exact percentage, but most teams pick at their scheduled spot in the first round, so that’s going to be your betting favorite.

Still, general manager Brad Holmes has shown a willingness to move both up and down the board at the start of the draft. He traded up for Jameson Williams and Terrion Arnold and down before snagging Jahmyr Gibbs. That means all options are in play.

The odds are likely greater that the Lions move up than down. They have a packed roster, and the 2024 rookie class had trouble seeing the field. As with Arnold a year ago, it’s better to aggressively target someone who can contribute immediately rather than accumulating picks.

Q: Why didn’t the Lions sign Joey Bosa? — David Agius

Justin: Because $13 million is a lot for an oft-injury player who is three years beyond his peak production. The Lions did sign a defensive end who is three years removed from his peak production in Marcus Davenport, and it cost them about 20% of Bosa's deal. If the situation doesn’t work out, one pill is much less bitter to swallow than the other.

The Lions are clearly being cautious with their cap space. It’s fairly obvious they’re saving as much as they can to re-sign their own studs, whether that’s Kerby Joseph or Aidan Hutchinson. The latter will cost around $40 million per season.

Q: Do we expect any more signings before the draft? — Michael Schwartz

Justin: Here’s what I wrote late Wednesday morning when I initially typed this mailbag out.

“I do expect the Lions to continue to slowly add to the roster, but don’t anticipate there will be a splash signing. There’s room to add a veteran edge rusher, guard and backup safety in the coming weeks.”

A few hours late, Al-Quadin Muhammad was re-signed, checking one of those boxes. The other two spots remain in play ahead of the draft.

Q: What would Jameson Williams and Aidan Hutchinson’s extensions look like? — The Respected Madman

Q: When do think the Aiden Hutchinson extension will happen? — Jason Harwood

Justin: You’re getting ahead of me, Madman. I need to keep producing content to keep you guys happy, so I can’t give away all the sauce in a mailbag. I’ll probably tackle a Hutchinson contract projection after the league meetings that run through early April. I’ll be looking at Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett’s recent deals, as well as how the Lions handled Penei Sewell’s extension, to flesh out those thoughts.

I should probably also consider Williams, but it doesn’t seem like a similar priority. Still, gauging the price tag could be a worthwhile exercise. I’ll add it to the agenda.

It’s difficult to say when an extension might get done with Hutchinson. It requires motivation on his part. Hell, he’s made his recovery process exclusive to Amazon for a documentary. I can’t imagine he’ll be offering any public comments on contract negotiations any time soon.

Q: Really hoping the Lions don’t do the 50/50 split with Gibbs and David Montgomery this year. Jahmyr just needs to be on the field more than he has been. — Steve Barone

Justin: That's not a question, but I understand what you're getting at. What you should know is that even before the injury, Gibbs was playing more snaps than Montgomery.

Regardless, they're going to continue to share the workload, and that benefits both. Handling 75% or more of the workload throughout a 17-game season, plus the playoffs, is a quick way to wear down a player's long-term ability and availability.

Christian McCaffrey is a great example, and it doesn’t hurt that his body type and skill set are similar to Gibbs’. After playing 91% and 93% of the Carolina Panthers’ offensive snaps in 2018 and 2019, McCaffrey's durability has eroded.

Alvin Kamara, meanwhile, has played more than 70% of snaps just twice in his career and never more than 76%. He's also only topped 230 carries once. That's allowed him to remain relatively healthy and highly productive through his first eight seasons.

You don't want the wheels to prematurely fall off the franchise's best running back since Barry Sanders.

Q: How does another first-place schedule stack up for the Lions, in terms of difficulty versus the last few years? — Jake Szenderski

Justin: A schedule is only as difficult as it takes shape. Everyone believed the San Francisco 49ers would be a Super Bowl contender last year, but injuries changed their trajectory.

Meanwhile, no one thought too much of the Vikings or Commanders before the 2024 campaign, yet they won 26 games combined.

So, yeah, on paper, the Lions' schedule looks brutal. First-place schedules typically do since they include three games against correlating finishers in other divisions. In 2025, the Lions will play the Chiefs, Rams and Buccaneers. The Bears, after finishing last in the NFC North, will play the Saints, Raiders and 49ers. Everything else, outside some pre-established differences in the road/home rotation, is the same for the divisional foes.

Q: Who is one free agent still on the market that would get you excited if they signed him? — Brandon L. Thornton

Justin: Excited might not be the right word, but I’ve said it before and will say it until he signs; I like the way Calais Campbell could round out the interior of the defensive line while Alim McNeill recovers.

Q: It's well known that an edge opposite Hutchinson has been every fan’s priority, but with the offensive line being somewhat in flux, do you think the O-line should be a priority in the upcoming draft? — Timothy S Knarian

Justin: The offensive line will never not be a priority. Holmes said as much in January.

“I just think you’ve got to keep the whole garden watered, at all points,” Holmes said about the position group. “And so, it’s going to be the whole unit, because just like you said, I mean, that’s the engine for us. I don’t care how good we ever get on the offensive line, that one right there is too important for not only our team, our quarterback, everything. It’s our identity, man. So, I think just that alone is just — it’s always going to be at the forefront.”

It doesn’t mean the team will reach for a lineman just to check a box, but I anticipate Holmes adding a piece to that group in the first four rounds. Everyone understands the need to find a long-term replacement for Graham Glasgow.

Q: Was the Kyle Allen signing about having a camp thrower and competition for QB3? — Paul Van Randwyk

Justin: Allen's contract information is out, and we now know the Lions didn't commit much to the signing. Only $100,000 of the deal is guaranteed.

That's a reasonable price to pay to have someone pushing Hendon Hooker for the backup job. Why should he be exempt from competition? Isn't competition critical to bringing the best out of players?

It's not fair to label Allen a camp arm. Still, with so little sunk cost, he's probably less of a threat to unseat Hooker than some might have initially speculated. It should be a legitimate camp battle between the two. Still, the bigger question will end up whether the Lions roster two or three quarterbacks going into the season. I don't see a ton of value in keeping three until closer to the playoffs, when having an emergency QB is critical. The Lions may end up seeing it differently.

Worse case, Allen outplays Hooker and wins the job outright. If that happens, so be it. You roll with the best option and start the search for a cheap, young backup all over again next year.

Q: Is the recent re-signing of the same depth guys another way to help out the new coordinators? — Lionsblood20

Justin: Familiarity doesn’t hurt, but I wouldn’t minimize the contributions of those individuals. The Lions add and retain guys based not only on their schematic fits but also on how they mesh with the culture. It’s how they work, how they take coaching, and the consistency of their effort paired with their on-field production.

Pat O’Connor isn’t back because Kelvin Sheppard needs to be surrounded by familiar faces.

O’Connor is back because of the way he did everything that was asked of him and made the most of his opportunities in 2024. The same goes for each of the recent re-signings. They’re not back if they don’t fit what Holmes and Dan Campbell want throughout the roster.
 
Q: What’s with the Lions cornering the market on special teams linebackers? — Joshua Levinson

Justin: Linebackers and safeties are some of the best fits on special teams because of their blend of speed and strength, comfort playing in space, and tackling ability. Plus, let’s face it, the Lions value special teams. It helped Jack Fox set an NFL record for net punting average in 2024. That 3-4 yards per punt in the field position battle matters.

Also, I’m not limiting these players to being exclusively special teams. We know Ezekiel Turner has some coverage ability, Trevor Nowaske can blitz, and what I’ve learned through my still-to-publish tape study of newcomer Grant Stuard is he packs some punch in the run game.

Maybe there’s not a great three-down player in the bunch. Still, suppose Alex Anzalone or Jack Campbell were to suffer an injury. In that case, the collective skill sets can patchwork things during their recovery while offering some situational value when the corps are at full strength.

Q: Is D.J. Reed an upgrade, downgrade, or the same as Carlton Davis III? — Dean Pippio

Justin: I’d say, when healthy, the net performance is neutral.

Reed is a little more efficient in coverage, while Davis’ size and strength show up better against the run, even though Reed is willing and capable in that department. Where the newcomer gets an edge is he’s a little cheaper, plus he’s more durable.

Q: Will Giovani Manu get on the field this year? — Brad Rewold

Justin: There’s no way to offer an honest assessment of the situation without seeing how last year’s development has taken hold. Remember, the media doesn’t see any meaningful portions of practice after training camp, so I haven’t viewed Manu in action since late last August.

As it stands, he’s obviously not starting. He’ll have an opportunity to compete for the swing backup job with Dan Skipper, but understand, the veteran is going to enter the offseason program in pole position with a sizeable gap for Manu to close.

Q: Za' Darius Smith, was he truly a rental? And if not, why cut rather than restructure a guy they haven't replaced yet? — Dan

Justin: The proof is in the pudding. The Lions paid a fifth-round pick (and a swap of a future sixth and seventh) to help a depleted pass rush survive the stretch run. The decision to cut Smith instead of paying him $11 million to stick around confirms he was a rental.

As for a restructure, you can’t meaningfully restructure a one-year deal. Restructuring a contract is taking money owed for the upcoming season and pushing it into the future. When you aren’t under contract beyond the next season, there’s nowhere to move that money.

Now, a team can ask the player to take a pay cut. Some will, some won’t. John Cominsky did last offseason. I don’t know if that was discussed with Smith, but he was under no obligation to accept a reduced salary, especially after he met expectations in the first season of the two-year contract he had signed with Cleveland.

Q: Do you think there will be a significant drop-off on either side of the ball with the new coordinators? — Anthony Kuehn

Justin: This is another case where nothing short of a working crystal ball could offer meaningful insight. Maybe Sheppard, with a healthier defense, unlocks a consistency Glenn couldn’t. Meanwhile, the offense has every meaningful piece returning outside Kevin Zeitler, and even there, they appear to have a worthy replacement in Christian Mahogany.

If performance dips, injuries are more likely to be the culprit than the coordinators.

Q: Are Holmes and Campbell planning for if Hutchinson isn’t as dominant off the edge as he was pre-injury? — Russell Sieg

Justin: In rehab, everything is measured. I’m not sure if it’s daily, weekly or some different time frame, but Hutchinson’s strength and flexibility are being tested against pre-injury standards. They know exactly where he’s at physically, plus the team has spared no expense with their sports medicine and training staff to maximize the rehab process.

Additionally, I don’t think there’s a lot of concern about his mentality. Hutchinson is intrinsically motivated to be the best. So, no, I don’t think there’s a concern he won’t return to form, even if it takes a little bit of time to work off all the accumulated rust.

Hutchinson is 24 years old. If he were 30, maybe there would be more reason to worry.

Q: Extending Kerby and Branch will be a real challenge for Holmes and the front office, with both potentially commanding $20 million per season only a year apart. I think the intention at this point is to keep both, but how likely do you think it is that the Lions are looking for a potential insurance policy at safety in the draft in case we can't keep both? — Donald

Justin: Safety is in play, regardless of whether the Lions plan or hope to retain both on long-term deals. The team still clearly needs depth at the position.

I wouldn’t advocate using a first-round pick on the position, at least with Detroit’s current setup, but at the end of Round 2, if a safety prospect is the best player on their board? Sure, why not?

With that pick, you’ll likely get premium special teams contributions. The team could develop packages to give them snaps on defense, and the addition would backstop the group in case of injury or the inability to afford long-term contracts for both.

Q: As you can't pay everyone, who are the core four who will be with the Lions beyond 2027? — Dennis Grey

Justin: Three years is an eternity in the NFL. If I were to guess four players on the current roster who will still be here as foundational pieces in 2028, I’d go with Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson, Terrion Arnold and Jahmyr Gibbs.

Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown would be entering the final year of their current contracts with massive cap numbers. Assuming they’re still here, which is absolutely a realistic possibility, it would probably involve new deals.

Others who could be on the 2028 roster include Jack Campbell, Alim McNeill, Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Christian Mahogany, Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams and Tom Kennedy.
 
Another good day to be a Lions fan. @BobbyLayne last post brings up a good point about our safety group. With the eventual penalty of drafting well is having to re-sign guys to large contracts, do you extend Joseph knowing Branch will be following or do you try to find a replacement? Tough decisions upcoming.

Also thought it was funny that Tom Kennedy was listed as a player to be possibly be on the roster in 2028. A fixture for sure…
 
King of the Jungle said:
Another good day to be a Lions fan. @BobbyLayne last post brings up a good point about our safety group. With the eventual penalty of drafting well is having to re-sign guys to large contracts, do you extend Joseph knowing Branch will be following or do you try to find a replacement? Tough decisions upcoming.

Also thought it was funny that Tom Kennedy was listed as a player to be possibly be on the roster in 2028. A fixture for sure…
Click to expand...

Think Justin’s humor is such the idea of TK never leaving is his updated version of death, taxes & Don Muhlbach.

18 contracts in 7 seasons, cheap insurance, never gets claimed. Reliable + can return punts, pay him $300K to be on the practice squad & $60K / callup.

Also, 2028 will be his 10th year, age 32 season - could see it. He’s the worn out rug that really ties the room together.
 
Lions are almost certainly planning on carrying 2025 cap space into 2026. That + restructuring Goff will allow them to give Hutch & Joseph their bags. The big challenge is 2027 when 4 guys come up - will pickup the Jah & Jack 5th year options but probably want to keep Sam & BB if they can.

Jamo is the most likely to get squeezed out IMO. Pickup the option but let him go to market. WR should be the easiest position to replace.
 

Lions go heavy with void years on D.J. Reed's contract; add veteran depth at cornerback​


Allen Park — A week after the contract was signed, the numbers are in for cornerback D.J. Reed's deal with the Detroit Lions.

The reported figures — three years, $48 million, with $32 million in guarantees — were surprisingly accurate. What's intriguing is how the Lions structured the deal, backloading it in an extreme way with void years. This will leave a hefty dead-money cap hit at the end of the contract or if the team cuts ties after two seasons.

Here's the breakdown:

Reed's contract has four void years, which allows bonus money to be further spread out for cap purposes. This reduces the cap hits in 2025, 2026, and potentially 2027.

The deal includes a $15.235 million signing bonus. The cap allows that to be spread over five years, so $3.047 million will count against the cap each year from 2025-29, two years after the deal expires. I'll discuss that more later.

Reed's base salaries for the next three seasons are $1.255 million in 2025, $14.49 million in 2026 and $1.345 million in 2027. He has $30,000 in per-game bonuses — up to $510,000 each year — and a $500,000 roster bonus in 2027.

Here's where the deal gets interesting. Instead of a hefty base salary in the final year of the contract, the team has a $13.645 million option bonus instead. If exercised by the Lions that offseason, it will operate like a signing bonus, allowed to be spread across five years for cap purposes. That's $2.729 million in 2027 and $2,729,000 in each of the four void years through 2031.

But that's artificial. The way the cap works is that once a player is off the roster, the remaining cap hit is due for the upcoming season. So if the Lions never restructure Reed's contract and exercise the option in 2027, they would carry a $17.01 million dead money hit in 2028. That figure represents a lingering two-fifths of the signing bonus and four-fifths of the option bonus.

Alternatively, suppose the Lions don't exercise the option, parting ways with Reed ahead of the 2027 season. In that case, they'd only be on the hook for the remaining three-fifths of the signing bonus ($9.141 million).

Got all that?

Even if you don't, here are the numbers you really care about: The cap hits. In 2025, Reed will have a cap hit of $4.722 million. That's his $1.255 million base salary, a $3.047 million prorated portion of his signing bonus and $510,000 in per-game bonuses.

That figure jumps to $18.047 million in 2026 with his sharply increasing base salary. And if the Lions exercise the option bonus in 2027, Reed will count just $8.131 million against the cap.

Interestingly, it would cost more against the cap to cut him ahead of that season ($9.141 million). But remember, the team would also be clearing out a potential $17 million cap hit in 2028.

With several smaller contracts still needing to be filed, the Lions have more than $40 million in cap space. That figure includes projected holds for the team's upcoming draft class. The expectation is the team will continue to be conservative with several larger cap bills coming due next season, paired with a desire to get some in-house extensions done with Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph.

Lions bolster secondary depth

The Lions reached an agreement with veteran cornerback Rock Ya-Sin on Thursday.

A second-round pick for Indianapolis in 2019, Ya-Sin has played for four teams over the past four years, spending the 2024 campaign with the San Francisco 49ers.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder saw a career-low 62 defensive snaps in 13 games for the 49ers. Ya-Sin was last a full-time starter for the Raiders in 2022. He did log more than 250 special teams snaps across the past two seasons with the 49ers and Ravens.

Since 2021, he's allowed 56.5% of throws to be completed when targeted in coverage for 811 yards and seven touchdowns. Ya-Sin has broken up 19 passes during that stretch.
 
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