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[Detroit Lions]

Report: Lions to release edge rusher Za’Darius Smith

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Za’Darius Smith’s contract proves to be too much for the Lions to move forward with.

According to reports from ESPN and NFL Network (Jeremy Fowler had it first) the Detroit Lions plan to release veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith. Smith, who was acquired via a trade with the Cleveland Browns last season, had a complicated contract that made retaining him less than appealing.

The problem with Smith’s contract​

Smith was in the final year of his contract and was set to have a cap hit of $5.7 million in 2025, with $2 million of that contract scheduled to become guaranteed on the third day of the league new year (March 15). On paper, that’s a reasonable contract for a starter-level player, but there’s another layer of the contract that made it challenging.

In addition to his 2025 salary, Smith also had three voided years tacked onto his deal, which was set to become guaranteed seven days prior to the start of the regular season. In total, those voided years would have added another $5.2 million hit onto the Lions' 2026 salary cap (at a time when he would not be on the roster).

That would mean, while he would only play on the Lions roster in 2025, they would end up paying him almost $11 million in total payouts.

Timing of release​

While the Lions have until September before the $5.2 million voided years kick in, it’s better for them to have made a decision now as opposed to later because of the roster bonus due on March 15. Essentially, cutting him now means they avoid taking a $2 million cap hit.

What is the salary cap hit?​

None. By releasing Smith before his guarantees kick in, they will not incur any cap hit, while also allowing a veteran to enter the free agent market at a time when he can potentially maximize his next deal.

Can the Lions re-sign Smith?​

Yes. Smith will become a street free agent once the transaction is processed and he is free to sign with any team in the NFL, including re-signing with the Lions. However, it’s worth noting that Smith did post “Thank You Detroit” on social media, which could be viewed as a goodbye.

From the Instagram handle of now former #Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith.

"Thank you Detroit." pic.twitter.com/ofkbqFBUsL

— Kory Woods (@KoryEWoods) March 9, 2025

Compensatory pick?​

Because Smith will be released from his contract, as opposed to his contract expiring, he will not count towards the Lions compensatory draft pick formula.

You can follow along with all the Lions’ free agency moves with our 2025 Detroit Lions offseason tracker. You can also look at the Lions’ depth chart and contracts with our 2025 contract tracker.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/3/9/24381532/report-lions-to-release-edge-rusher-zadarius-smith

 

[Detroit Lions]

Open thread: Did the Lions make the right decision to release Za’Darius Smith?

Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Detroit Lions are reportedly releasing Za’Darius Smith. Was that the right move?

On Sunday, word leaked that the Detroit Lions will be releasing Za’Darius Smith. For some, it’s a pretty big surprise given that the Lions traded for Smith at the deadline last year, and he gave Detroit some much-needed juice in their pass rush. In eight games, Smith produced 4.0 sacks and 36 pressures, according to PFF. To move on from that—with no clear replacement in place—seems a bit risky.

But like most cuts this time of year, Detroit’s decision was almost certainly financially related. Smith was due an option bonus ($6.99 million) and roster bonus ($2 million) that would have pushed his total cap commitment to about $11 million for one season of work—although the contract was formatted to split that cap hit almost in half between 2025 and 2026.

While $11 million isn’t a huge number for a pass rusher, the Lions clearly thought they could be spending that money better elsewhere, and they will not be on the hook for any dead money over the next two years. It’s a move that frees up $5.7 million this year and another $5.2 million next year.

So today’s Question of the Day is:

Do you approve of the Za’Darius Smith release? ​

My answer: I’m somewhere stuck in the middle. This feels like a tough question to answer until we see how Lions general manager Brad Holmes actually plans to address the EDGE position. There are actually quite a few veteran options that can fill Smith’s role: Khalil Mack, DeMarcus Lawrence, Calais Campbell, Matthew Judon, Joey Bosa, Von Miller, Haason Reddick. If the Lions were to sign one of these players to a similar overall deal in the neighborhood of $11 million, I think I would be just fine with the move. But it’s hard to know if that’s in the cards for Detroit.

That said, I think it’s worth pointing out what Smith was to this team last year. Yes, he was their best pass rusher after Aidan Hutchinson went down, but he also wasn’t a three-down player. He struggled against the run, and Detroit essentially pulled him from some early downs. He played just 82 run defense snaps compared to 241 pass rush snaps (per PFF) and typically averaged between 50-60% of defensive snaps per game. By comparison, Josh Paschal was averaging between 70-80% of snaps in the final two months of the year.

So if Detroit needs a rotational pass rusher that plays a little over half of the team’s defensive snaps, I think should be able to find someone around Smith’s level at a contract similar—or maybe even less—than what they would’ve been paying Smith.

So, in short, by itself, I don’t love the idea of getting rid of their second-best pass rusher off the edge, but there are ample options out there to potentially upgrade, and if the Lions capitalize on that opportunity, I’ll be fine with it.

What are your thoughts? Vote in the poll below and share your specific thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...zadarius-smith-release-right-move-free-agency

 

[Detroit Lions]

NFL free agent grades: D.J. Reed boosts Detroit Lions cornerbacks group

Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images

Grading D.J. Reed’s reported three-year deal with the Detroit Lions in free agency.

After reports suggested the Detroit Lions were targeting free-agent cornerbacks in the $12 million-per-year range —and after seeing Carlton Davis III land a $20 million-per-year deal with the Patriots—it was a bit surprising to see D.J. Reed quickly agree to terms with Detroit. Surprising, but also exciting. Landing Reed at $4 million per year less than Davis III and $2 million per year less than Paulson Adebo represents strong Day 1 free agency value.

Following a season where the secondary was the defense’s most inconsistent unit, the Lions are making it a priority to keep it as a strength.

Here’s how Reed will impact the 2025 Lions, how his signing shapes the rest of the team’s offseason strategy, and my grade for the move.

How good is D.J. Reed?

Reed signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the New York Jets in 2022 free agency and quickly outperformed that reasonable contract. As the No. 2 cornerback opposite Sauce Gardner, he thrived in Robert Saleh’s press-man scheme, playing primarily as the right cornerback—similar to Carlton Davis III in 2024—where his competitive nature took over.

Reed’s early NFL development was stunted when the 49ers drafted him and moved him into a hybrid safety-nickel role. That experiment led to his early release in his third training camp, but it also highlighted one of his key strengths: tackling. That physicality—a major requirement for Lions defensive backs—has remained a hallmark of his game.

Over the last four seasons (including 2021 in Seattle), Reed has been consistently productive, starting at least 14 games per year at outside corner, logging over 880 snaps, recording at least nine pass deflections, and earning a 70.0+ PFF defensive grade each season. According to PFF, he played 156 snaps in man coverage last year (35th among all cornerbacks) and forced six incompletions—tied for 10th, alongside Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson—while allowing just 10.2 yards per reception in man coverage.

The fact that the Lions front office and defensive staff made Reed such a priority speaks volumes about how valuable they believe he’ll be in Detroit.

How does this affect the Lions?

From a locker room standpoint, Reed brings a chip-on-his-shoulder mentality that aligns perfectly with the Lions’ culture. A former Fresno State walk-on and Kansas State team captain in 2017, he adds another veteran voice to a young secondary.

On the field, Reed provides stability as a starting outside corner opposite Terrion Arnold, allowing the second-year player to develop without being thrown into the No. 1 cornerback deep end too soon (although he might be ready). His presence also means the Lions won’t have to force Amik Robertson or Ennis Rakestraw Jr. into heavier outside cornerback roles early on. With Reed in place, Detroit’s secondary gains depth and versatility, ensuring that Brian Branch can remain a flexible chess piece at safety rather than being pushed back into a full-time nickel role as well.

Locking in Reed early allows the Lions to shift their focus in free agency and the draft, addressing other pressing needs—most notably, upgrading the defensive front. With the cornerback room now solidified, they can attack the rest of the offseason without feeling desperate at the position.

Was he worth the price?

ESPN’s Matt Bowen ranked D.J. Reed as the No. 1 overall free agent and the top cornerback on the market. Yet, within the first few hours of free agency, two other corners—one a former Lion with durability concerns (Davis), and the other a younger player recovering from a broken femur (Adebo)—secured larger contracts. That’s not even factoring in Jaycee Horn’s extension (four-years, $100M), which will pay him $9 million more per year than what the Lions are paying Reed.

While the $16 million average annual salary may seem like a slight overpay, and Reed’s $32 million in guarantees is the largest Brad Holmes has given an outside free agent, the deal is more than reasonable for a cornerback of Reed’s caliber. When the dust settles, Reed’s per-year salary won’t even crack the top 15 highest-paid cornerbacks. More importantly, he provides a stabilizing veteran presence in the secondary—one well worth the investment.

Final thoughts and grade

Grade: A-

Reed’s fluid hips and strong work ethic lead me to believe that he’ll transition well into the Lions defense. His addition also signals that, under new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, Detroit will continue to embrace its bully ball identity against opposing skill players—one that helped the pass defense excel in key areas like opponent passer rating, on third downs, and in the red-zone last season.

With Reed in the mix, the Lions secondary should better complement their pass rush as they continue making upgrades alongside the recovering Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill. This deal also offers financial flexibility, as it doesn’t lock the team into a long-term burden with bigger contract extensions hitting the books for younger core players. Additionally, it provides a valuable veteran presence while allowing last year’s top draft picks, Arnold and Rakestraw, to develop at their own pace.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...j-reed-boosts-detroit-lions-cornerbacks-group

 

[Detroit Lions]

Top available NFL free agents for Detroit Lions following Day 1

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

A look at the best remaining free agents available that the Detroit Lions should consider.

Free agency may not officially start until Wednesday, but the league wasted no time once the tampering window began. While the day was flooded with new deals and trades, the Detroit Lions only made two moves: agreeing to terms with cornerback D.J. Reed and re-signing tackle Dan Skipper.

While many of the top free agents for 2025 have already lined up deals with many teams, there are still many players that would fit nicely in Detroit’s scheme that are still waiting to sign with someone.

Here are a few players that might interest the Lions on the second unofficial day of free agency:

EDGE Matthew Judon, Atlanta Falcons​

2024 stats: 17 games (15 starts), 41 tackles, 7 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 9 QBH, 1 INT, 1 TD, 5 PD

Even with the re-signing of Marcus Davenport, the Lions still are in need of a premier pass rusher to line up opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Judon, a Detroit-area native who played for West Bloomfield High School and Grand Valley, is 32 years old and likely looking for a place he can sign with to finish out his career. Why not sign a deal with the hometown team?

Judon has played as a 3-4 outside linebacker throughout his nine-year NFL career, but don’t think that means he can’t fit into Detroit’s defense. He can still be useful on the Lions’ four-man front as a stand-up pass rusher. He also could fill in at the SAM linebacker role that has been played by the likes of Derrick Barnes, or a pass rushing role like James Houston in the past.brandon sc mmm

The Lions could swing Judon for a short-term deal worth around $4 million per year given his age and likely rotational role he would play in Detroit.

G Brandon Scherff, Jacksonville Jaguars​

2024 stats: 17 games (17 starts), 0 sacks allowed, 2 penalties

While 2024 rookie Christian Mahogany performed well enough to inspire some confidence at the end of the season, the Lions should still consider giving the sixth-round pick another year to develop and go after a veteran guard in free agency on a one-year deal. Brandon Scherff, a former All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, would fit that bill.

The Lions should pursue Scherff similar to how they signed Kevin Zeitler on a one-year deal a year ago. Scherff is a career right guard who would bring extra veteran leadership onto the already talented offensive line in Detroit. With Zeitler hitting free agency, this would be a perfect opportunity for Scherff to come in and take over that starting guard role while Mahogany goes through his first healthy NFL preseason.

A one-year deal worth up to $7 million would be the ideal number for Detroit to offer.

WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks​

2024 stats: 17 games (14 starts), 49 receptions (74 targets), 600 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns

The Lions already have Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but it couldn’t hurt for them to add one more weapon to their receiving corps. Lockett was recently released by Seattle and is looking to continue his role as one of the better wideouts in the NFL with another team.

Signing Lockett would help Jared Goff not only be able to spread the ball out more, but also make things more difficult for opposing defenses. They’ll already have their hands full with the team’s top two receivers as well as Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs. Adding a deep-threat wide receiver into that mix benefits everybody on offense.

Lockett’s price tag will be lofty. Detroit would probably need to commit to a multi-year deal of at least $8 million per year.

S Justin Reid, Kansas City Chiefs​

2024 stats: 16 games (16 starts), 87 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 QBH, 2 INT, 9 PD

The Lions have two elite safeties rostered currently in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Signing Reid would allow Branch to shift back into the nickel role and give Detroit two ballhawk safeties deep in the secondary.

Reid is only 28 years old and has found plenty of success while with Kansas City over the past three seasons. That kind of experience would be valuable to add to Detroit’s young defense.

Reid is the best remaining safety on the market and will command a high asking price from interested teams. Given his recent successes, he would likely require a multi-year deal with an average salary of over $14 million.

DL Dre’Mont Jones, Seattle Seahawks​

2024 stats: 17 games (7 starts), 28 tackles, 7 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 9 QBH, 1 FF, 1 PD, 1 safety

With the Lions potentially losing Levi Onwuzurike in free agency, they will need to find a replacement pass-rushing defensive tackle. Dre’Mont Jones has excelled in that role with the Seahawks, primarily playing as a 3T in their modified 3-4 defense.

At 6-foot-3 and 281 pounds, Jones uses pure size and strength to bully offensive linemen and rush opposing quarterbacks. Pair him with a healthy Alim McNeill and DJ Reader, and all of a sudden Detroit’s defensive line seems unstoppable.

Jones is coming off a three-year, $51 million deal with the Seahawks and that price is only going to go up on his next contract. This would be a big signing for the Lions but it would dramatically improve their pass rush, making it worth the steep cost. Jones would probably be asking for a two or three year deal worth up to $20 million per year.

Here are some of the other top free agents by position:

QB: Trey Lance, Jacoby Brissett, Taylor Heinicke

RB: Raheem Mostert, Jamaal Williams, Gus Edwards

WR: Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper

TE: Evan Engram, Tyler Conklin, Juwan Johnson

OT: Cam Robinson, Joseph Noteboom, Tyron Smith

IOL: Will Hernandez, Nate Herbig, Coleman Shelton

IDL: Raekwon Davis, Austin Johnson, Greg Gaines

EDGE: Joey Bosa, Von Miller, DeMarcus Lawrence

LB: Tyrel Dodson, Willie Gay, Eric Kendricks

CB: Jonathan Jones, Jeff Okudah, Kendall Fuller

S: Justin Simmons, Marcus Epps, Rayshawn Jenkins

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...nfl-free-agents-detroit-lions-following-day-1

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions awarded 1 compensatory pick for 2025 NFL Draft

Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions were awarded a single compensatory picks for the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Detroit Lions have been awarded one compensatory pick for the 2025 NFL Draft, the league announced on Tuesday evening. The pick will be the 38th selection in the third round, or Pick 102 overall.

Detroit was awarded the compensatory pick thanks to the Rooney Rule, which states if a team loses a minority coach or front office member to an NFL head coach or general manager position, the franchise is to receive third-round picks in consecutive drafts. This year, the Lions lost defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who became the head coach of the New York Jets. That means the Lions will also get an extra third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as well.

The Lions did not get any compensatory picks based on 2024 free agency. That’s because the amount of free agents they lost (C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Jonah Jackson, Josh Reynolds) was approximately the same in value (contract length, price, playing time) as the free agents they acquired (Marcus Davenport, D.J. Reader, Amik Robertson, Kevin Zeitler).

The NFL awarded a total of 35 compensatory picks this year, with 15 teams receiving at least one.

With compensatory picks set for the 2025 NFL Draft, the entire seven-round draft order is now set, which you can view here.

Here’s a full list of the Lions’ seven draft picks:

• Round 1, Pick 28
• Round 2, Pick 28, 60 overall
• Round 3, Pick 38, 102 overall
• Round 4, Pick 28, 130 overall
• Round 6, Pick 20, 196 overall (from Buccaneers) — Acquired via Carlton Davis trade
• Round 7, Pick 12, 228 overall (from Cowboys) — Acquired via trade up for Terrion Arnold
• Round 7, Pick 28, 244 overall

The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 to Saturday, April 26, and it will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ns-awarded-1-compensatory-pick-2025-nfl-draft

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions free agent grades: Roy Lopez a significant investment in run defense

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Grading the Detroit Lions’ free agent addition of NT Roy Lopez.

Late on Tuesday night, the Detroit Lions reportedly agreed to terms with former Cardinals nose tackle Roy Lopez. It’s Detroit’s first investment this free agency on an external defensive lineman—one of hopefully many.

While it certainly isn’t the flashiest of additions, let’s break down Lopez’s fit, role, and value with the Lions to give it an overall grade.

Roy Lopez’s fit with the team​

It’s clear Lopez is exactly the kind of player Dan Campbell loves on his team. Fans and reporters have called him “relentless,” “badass,” and a “locker room guy.” Perhaps most notably, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon gave him one of the bigger compliments a player can receive:

“If you had 90 Roys, you’d be ready to go, you know what I mean? I’m not saying—we’ve got a lot of good guys, but Roy, he keeps a good attitude, he’s always working on his game, he’s team first, he’s willing to do whatever you tell him to do, he’s got a smile on his face. He’s a phenomenal human being, and he enjoys coming to work and he gets better at his game. So, yeah, I’d love a bunch of Roys.”

"He's a phenomenal human being."#AZCardinals HC Jonathan Gannon re: fourth-year defensive lineman and former Gilbert Mesquite High standout Roy Lopez, who "enjoys coming to work and he gets better at his game."

Gannon added, "I'd love a bunch of Roys."

-@CraigAZSports pic.twitter.com/6vpSpYxtLh

— Arizona Cardinals Insiders (@AZCardsInsiders) August 12, 2024​

As for his style of play, he’s a run-first nose tackle. While he finished 99th out of 153 defensive tackles when it came to PFF’s run stop percentage, his score (5.4%) was higher than Benito Jones (5.3%), DJ Reader (5.1%). There also may be a little more pass rush upside than we’ve seen from Detroit’s depth at defensive tackle. It’s certainly not his specialty, but he did produce a 67.4 pass rush grade last year, including 18 pressures, 1.0 sacks, a forced fumble and three quarterback hits.

Fit grade: A-

Lopez’s role/talent level​

As of now, Lopez is Detroit’s third nose tackle on the team, with DJ Reader and Brodric Martin. Given the first reported details of the contract ($4.75 million for one year), at the very least Lopez is going to be the second-string nose tackle. There are two big questions now at the position:

1. Is DJ Reader now a potential cap casualty?

Reader is set to count $12.9 million against the cap, including a $4 million roster bonus due on March 15. If Detroit opts to cut him before then, they’ll save nearly $8 million in cap space while eating just under $5 million in dead cap.

That’s significant savings, but it’s fair to wonder if Detroit wants to rely on Lopez as their No. 1 nose tackle. He has started a whopping 50 games over four seasons, including 16 games last year. So the workload would not be an issue. It’s just a matter of whether the Lions believe he’s good enough to be a starter, and while I’m still just scratching the surface of his tape, I’d be surprised to see the Lions expect him to be their full-time starter.

2. Is it time to give up on Brodric Martin?

The Lions spent a 2023 third-round pick on Martin to play nose tackle, but the small-school defender has spent his first two years mainly as a healthy scratch. He’s played in just 53 defensive snaps despite no major injuries.

If the Lions don’t end up cutting Reader, it’s hard to interpret Lopez’s signing as anything other than a significant lack of faith in Martin. If Reader is cut, then Martin may still have some believers among the staff.

It’s worth pointing out that the Lions have valued their backup nose tackle in the past. Last year, it was Kyle Peko holding down that role, and while his playing time dipped to 10-20 snaps a game after Reader was healthy, the team insisted when Peko suffered a season-ending injury, it was a major loss.

“That was a huge, huge loss,” Aaron Glenn said. “I actually talked to him this morning because he actually went into his surgery and just told him how much that we were going to miss him, and I don’t take him for granted at all for what he did.”

If Lopez’s role is to be a backup, it’s definitely an upgrade to get a player with so much experience and shown durability. But if he’s going to be the starter and Detroit expects to move on from Reader, it’ll be a downgrade.

Role/talent grade: B

Are the Lions getting good value in Lopez? ​

First of all, we don’t have any contract details other than the overall value of the contract: one year, $4.75 million. With no word on guarantees, it’s nearly impossible to give a fully-educated appraisal of his value.

It’s also hard to judge when we don’t know what his projected role is. If he’s going to be Reader’s backup, it does “look like” an overpay. They already have $13 million committed to the nose tackle position, so another $2-4 million (depending on the actual deal details) on a guy who will play a dozen snaps a game does not seem like particularly good value. Consider the contract terms of previous rotational nose tackles in Detroit:

• Kyle Peko: 1-year, $1.21 million
• Benito Jones (2023): 1-year, $940,000
• Isaiah Buggs (2022, starter): 2-years, $4.5 million

Obviously, with the cap going up, there’s going to be some inflation. Still, this deal is potentially triple to quadruple what the Lions spent on the reserve position last year. I don’t think you’ll find many teams in the NFL that’s spending over $15 million in cap space on the nose tackle position this year.

If the Lions opt to cut Reader, it’s a reasonable deal for a starting nose tackle.

Value grade: INC

Overall​

Lopez will fit right in with the Lions culture, and Detroit really likes to prioritize their run defense. On that level, it makes sense for them to invest in a nose tackle, even if it’s just depth.

But this move doesn’t move the needle much for me overall. My best guess is that he’ll serve as the backup to Reader in 2025, and if that’s the case, this is a slight overinvestment. I get the desire to be deep at this position given Reader’s age and the general depth issues Detroit had on the defensive line last year, but how much better will the Lions run defense actually be with Lopez over a guy like Peko, Jones, or Buggs?

It’s an improvement on the roster, but a pretty minor one at an oddly-high cost (based on what we know).

Overall grade: C-

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...-roy-lopez-nose-tackle-significant-investment

 

[Detroit Lions]

What Colts writers, fans are saying about Lions adding Grant Stuard

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

A look at what Colts fans and writers are saying about the Detroit Lions adding Grant Stuard free agency.

Amidst a somewhat chaotic first day of the NFL new league year, the Detroit Lions came out with yet another free agent, special teams linebacker addition. Detroit has reportedly agreed to terms with former Colts linebacker Grant Stuard.

With the now-official release of Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Stuard appears to potentially be the next in line to step in as a special teamer with defensive upside. Stuard has spent the last three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, and based on the reaction after his move to Detroit, he quickly became one of the most beloved players with Indy.

Here’s a look at how Indianapolis media and fans reacted to the news.

Colts, national media reacts to Grant Stuard signing with Lions​

First of all, before we get into everything, I think it bears repeating that Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp was already a fan of this guy, mentioning him unprompted in a press conference before Detroit’s matchup with the Colts.

“Number 41’s a hair on fire player, this guy’s relentless,” Fipp said. “He’s got a great story, I read it this summer, there’s a great article about him. But just a great player and I have a lot of respect for him.”

The story he’s referring to is this one from The Athletic’s Zac Keefer. It’s a tale of Stuard’s perseverance, dealing with a terrible home situation and surviving despite being on the brink of suicide. It’s worth your time.

All signs point to Stuard being a pretty special person. Here’s what Colts media had to say about him:

Grant Stuard is one of the best people I’ve ever covered, and I’m sure several others on the #Colts beat would say the same.

Got it out the mud. Never makes excuses. Plays like every snap could be his last. https://t.co/zUABg4cp07

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) March 12, 2025​

Destin Adams:

“Grant Stuard has been one of the best special teamers for the Colts since they acquired him from the Buccaneers ahead of the 2022 season. He became a big leader on the field and in the locker room amongst that group almost immediately”

Had hopes Stuard returned to Indy. Very good ST player and solid short-term fill-in at LB. https://t.co/9EbbxLaUIk

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) March 12, 2025​

Grant Stuard heads to Detroit. I have a feeling he’ll quickly become Dan Campbell’s favorite player. Talk about a perfect fit. https://t.co/lgBIiBbxpj

— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) March 12, 2025​

And some highlights:

Grant Stuard reminding me of a simpler time when linebackers like this were the norm. Bring back tackle machines that throw their body into every play pic.twitter.com/BhDqnA9tHc

— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) October 21, 2024​

Colts fans’ reactions​

As you may expect, a player with long, flowing hair, an incredible story, and a tenacious playing style was pretty damn popular among Colts fans. Here’s how they reacted to the news of him heading to Detroit:

Best of luck to Grant Stuard, he’s a perfect fit for Detroit https://t.co/YNMyXgOPdy pic.twitter.com/2Fj28Pxhut

— ColtsFanCole (@ColtsFanCole) March 12, 2025​

Grant Stuard to the Lions. Tough loss. https://t.co/00gLAmrvqY

— Indy SportsOne (@IndySportsOne) March 12, 2025​

Nooooooooooo not Grant Stuard https://t.co/mt8kF2Uttu

— CLew ️ (@droppedballspod) March 12, 2025​

This hurts man. He should have been starting for the Colts.

— TL (@TL4Colts) March 12, 2025​

Special teams demon. Plays with his hair on fire. Great energy guy. He'll fit in perfect in Detroit

— PacersEnjoyer (@PacersEnjoyer) March 12, 2025​

Noooo, that makes me so sad. I loved watching him play. He is one of the hardest workers no matter the role. I am happy for him but sad for us.

— Jackie (@coachjackiemc) March 12, 2025​

Lions getting an absolute dawg

— Alex Snider (@alexsnider1231) March 12, 2025​

Special teams demon. Can play in a pinch, especially run downs.

— Brandon (@KingSimpson24) March 12, 2025​

Love this dude. Hope he’s getting paid well.

— Bob Sanders to the Ring of Honor (@GDThompson99) March 12, 2025​

Yes. He’s primarily a special teams ace, but he does okay as a backup. He had some starting snaps due to injuries, and he didn’t look totally lost on the field.

— Steven (@ocean_sandz) March 12, 2025​

I wouldn’t say good. But he’s a dan Campbell LB if I’ve ever seen one

— Aaron (@Aaron97___) March 12, 2025​

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ns-are-saying-about-lions-adding-grant-stuard

 

[Detroit Lions]

6 Questions: Jets insider weighs in on D.J. Reed’s strengths, weaknesses

Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

D.J. Reed was a key piece of the Jets’ defense, but why did he leave—and what makes him a perfect fit for the Lions?

When the Detroit Lions agreed to terms with cornerback D.J. Reed, they didn’t just add another piece to the secondary—they landed a proven playmaker with the kind of competitive attitude this team values. But what exactly are the Lions getting in Reed? How was he viewed by Jets’ fans, and why did he ultimately leave New York?

To get the inside scoop, we spoke with MacGregor Wells, Deputy Manager for Gang Green Nation, who watched Reed closely during his three seasons in New York. From his aggressive playing style to his scheme versatility—and even the one matchup that gives him trouble—here’s everything Lions fans need to know about their new cornerback.

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How was Reed viewed by the Jets organization and fan base? Was he considered a key piece of the secondary playing opposite of Sauce Gardner, or was he more so viewed as a player who could be replaced this offseason? What about at the price and term of his reported deal with Detroit, would Jets fans have wanted him back on the deal he got?

Reed was an outstanding cornerback for the Jets. In the first half of last year he was arguably better than Sauce Gardner. Reed fell off a bit in the second half of the season, but he still was a legitimate CB1, if Sauce wasn’t on the Jets. Most Jets fans would have been glad to have him back on the terms he got from the Lions, but Reed made it pretty clear he wasn’t interested in returning. He had (grown) tired of all the losing with the Jets and it was not a surprise he ended up with a team that has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.

What were some of D.J. Reed’s biggest strengths in the Jets’ defense, and how/where will they miss him the most in their secondary?

Reed was very effective whether in press man coverage or zone. He has excellent speed and quickness, is not afraid to mix it up against the run, and plays with outstanding aggression. The Jets did not have Sauce Gardner follow opposing WR1s, so Reed often was matched up against the opponent’s best receiver, and he more than held his own.

Were there any specific areas (outside of penalties, we’ll get to that in a second) where Reed struggled? How can the Lions put him in the best position to succeed here in Detroit?

If Reed has a weakness it is his size. At 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds Reed can struggle against the biggest, most physical receivers in the NFL. Match him up against a 6’4”, 220-pound dude who knows how to use his size and Reed is out of his element.

After eight penalties in 2023, Reed followed that up with 11 in 2024, t-4th among cornerbacks last season. Prior to 2023, Reed had just 12 penalties across five seasons. What about Reed’s game, in your opinion, has led to this uptick in penalties the past couple of years?

Reed is very aggressive and can be a little grabby when a receiver gets behind him. Frankly a pass interference penalty when you’ve been beaten deep can be the right play to avoid a TD. I’m not really sure why his penalties increased the last two years. My guess is a lot of it is just statistical noise, but some of it may be he’s gotten more physical over time in his play.

What stood out most about Reed’s intangibles—whether it was his leadership, work ethic, competitiveness, or another quality—that made him valuable to the Jets?

I may be the wrong guy to answer this question. I’m of the belief that outside of the guys on the team and the coaches, few people have much of an idea about a player’s intangibles. Occasionally a player gets universal praise from coaches and players alike regarding certain intangibles, but outside of that I think none of us really know what these guys are really like. I will say Reed plays like he has something to prove on every play. He had to work his way up to being a starter in this league and it seems to show. He is hyper-competitive and doesn’t take plays off. He’s a guy that’s easy to root for as a fan.

Are there any particular moments from games or specific matchups from Reed’s time in New York that stand out to you? What did those performances reveal about him as a player?

I don’t think of any particular play or matchup when I think of Reed. Rather, I think of a guy who brings his best every single play, every single game. He doesn’t back down to anyone, he plays to the whistle, he is almost never clearly overmatched. Reed is a consummate professional. Like any cornerback, he can get beat, and he can have a bad game, but it’s never for lack of effort or lack of preparation. As you might discern, I loved the guy and I’m sorry to see him go. He’ll turn 29 years old next season, an age when cornerbacks can start to decline, so that could be an issue at some point going forward. Other than that, I think the Lions got a great cornerback and I hope he does as well for you as he did with the Jets. If he can’t get a ring with the Jets, maybe he can with the Lions.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...trengths-weaknesses-detroit-lions-free-agency

 

[Detroit Lions]

Report: Detroit Lions adding veteran quarterback in free agency

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions’ backup quarterback situation just got a little more interesting after agreeing to terms with Kyle Allen in free agency.

According to a report from Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Detroit Lions are adding veteran quarterback Kyle Allen. They have agreed to terms with the 29-year-old passer, but none of those details are out yet.

Allen went undrafted in 2018, and has since bounced around five different franchises. He spent two years, with the Carolina Panthers, two with the Washington Commanders, and has spent the past three years with the Texans, Bills, and Steelers. Last year in Pittsburgh, he served as the third string quarterback behind Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

Throughout it all, Allen has made a total of 31 game appearances and 19 starts, although the last time he started was back in 2022 with the Texans. For his career, he has completed 442-of-705 passes (62.7%) for 4,753 yards (6.7 Y/A), 26 touchdowns and 21 interceptions for a career passer rating of 82.3. His overall record in his 19 starts is 7-12-0.

His addition is certainly interesting and noteworthy. Beyond Jared Goff, the Lions have two backup quarterbacks: 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker and Jake Fromm. Allen brings something that the other two quarterbacks do not have: experience. Fromm has made just three game appearances (two starts), and they were all back in 2021. Hooker has yet to start a game, though he appeared in three games last season. It’s always good to have a veteran in the quarterback room to help the starter see the game with a seasoned set of eyes. Detroit has valued that in the past with players like David Blough, Nate Sudfeld, and Teddy Bridgewater.

Yet it’s fair to start wondering what this means for Hooker. While he missed most of his rookie season due to injury, he looked rusty during 2024 training camp. It’s possible Allen will help push his development along, or perhaps he will truly be in contention for the backup job. Either way, the Lions’ quarterback situation just got a little more interesting.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ng-veteran-quarterback-kyle-allen-free-agency

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions re-sign WR Tim Patrick

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions are bringing back Tim Patrick, their reliable veteran wide receiver on a one-year deal.

On Thursday afternoon, free agent wide receiver Tim Patrick posted to his Instagram story a shirt with the words, “I ONLY WANT TO WORK WITH THE LIONS” on it. It was unclear if this was wishful thinking on Patrick’s part or a sign that the Detroit Lions had agreed upon a re-signing with the veteran receiver.

On Friday, Lions announced they have re-signed Patrick. No terms are available at this point.

UPDATE: Per Mike Garafolo, it’s a one-year, deal worth “up to” $4 million.

Last year, Patrick revived his career in Detroit after being signed at the start of the regular season. Prior to landing in Detroit, Patrick dealt with two season-ending injuries with the Denver Broncos. In 2022, he suffered a torn ACL in a training camp practice, only to tear his Achilles in the 2023 preseason. He failed to make the Broncos’ roster in 2024, and the Lions immediately swept him up.

Patrick proceeded to have a steady season for the Lions. He played in 16 games, started nine, and caught 33 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns. More importantly to the Lions, he fit exactly the identity of the kind of player Detroit wants in the WR-X role. He’s an active and willing blocker with steady hands and knows where the first down marker is.

“He’s a pro, the way he prepares, the way he works, type of teammate he is, the athlete that he is,” coach Dan Campbell said in October. “Man, he’s long, he’s got catch radius, he blocks downfield, he’s got good hands, good, strong hands. So, there again, he brings a different element to us in the receiver room, he brings something we don’t have, which is – man, that’s music to your ears if you’re kind of building an offense, man, it just gives you a different type of weapon.”

With Patrick back in the fold, the Lions wide receiver room has its top four returning from last season: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Patrick, and Kalif Raymond. That said, only St. Brown (and Antoine Green) are signed beyond the 2025 season, so the Lions could still be pursuing long-term options at the position.

Keep up to date on the latest Lions free agency moves with our 2025 Detroit Lions offseason tracker and contract/depth chart tracker.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ncy-news-detroit-lions-re-signing-tim-patrick

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions signing new tight end from Jets

Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions are signing a big, physical tight end in free agency with four years of experience.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Lions are signing tight end Kenny Yeboah to a one-year deal.

Yeboah has been in the NFL for four years after splitting his college career at Temple and Ole Miss. He went undrafted in 2021 and has spent all four seasons with the New York Jets. Over that time he has played in 33 games and made two starts. Though he’s played over 300 snaps on offenses, he has just nine career receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. But he did have this awesome preseason hail mary catch during his rookie season.

SHEESH, KENNY YEBOAH WITH THE HAIL MARY CATCH pic.twitter.com/ouysZZSjKa

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 28, 2021​

At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Yeboah is certainly built more like a blocking tight end, and that matches how the Jets used him. In his 106 offensive snaps last year, 88 of them were as an inline tight end rather than in the slot or backfield. He has also contributed a significant amount on special teams for all four years, eclipsing 100 snaps each season.

The Lions certainly have a need for tight end depth at the moment. Prior to this move, the Lions only had Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright under contract. Former draft pick James Mitchell signed with the Panthers back in January, and Shane Zylstra is currently an unrestricted free agent. Don’t be surprised if the Lions add a few more tight ends before the offseason is through.

Keep up to date on the latest Lions free agency moves with our 2025 Detroit Lions offseason tracker and contract/depth chart tracker.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...g-new-tight-end-kenny-yeboah-jets-free-agency

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions film breakdown: What D.J. Reed will bring to the defense

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Breaking down the All-22 film of D.J. Reed’s 2024 season and looking at what he will be bringing to the Lions’ secondary.

In their first major offseason acquisition of 2025, the Detroit Lions signed free agent cornerback D.J. Reed to a three-year contract worth up to $48 million. Following the departure of cornerback Carlton Davis III to the New England Patriots, Reed should take over a starting outside cornerback job for the Lions in 2025 and beyond.

To become more familiar with Reed’s game, I went back and watched four games from his 2024 season with the New York Jets. Watching that tape confirmed what I had been reading from people who follow Jets football much closer than I do—he is a smart, gritty defensive back who doesn’t shy away from a challenge.

Physically, he is a gifted mover in his backpedal, capable of flipping his hips effortlessly to stick with receivers. He has the top-end speed to stick with the majority of speedsters in the league, and based off what I saw from my study, his mental approach to the game may end up being one of his best qualities as a player.

Let’s get into the All-22 and and see how Reed’s game fits in with the rest of the Lions’ secondary.

Staying in-phase and playing the ball​

Per Next Gen stats, Reed forced tight-window throws on 37.3% of his targets in 2024, good enough for fourth highest in the NFL. I didn’t see that until after watching a lot of Reed’s film, but it certainly makes sense when you watch how he plays the position.

Reed has exceptional change-of-direction skills, and rarely gets caught flat-footed while in coverage. This allows him to stay in the hip pocket of receivers, which in-turn makes things more difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Simply put, there aren’t a lot of uncontested catches for pass-catchers when they are being blanketed by Reed.

Watch in the first clip as he makes a really tough play on Buffalo Bills receiver Curtis Samuel on a third down late in the first quarter. Bills quarterback Josh Allen is in the shotgun, with a bunch to the left.

The Bills run what is essentially a man-beater concept, where the two inside receivers in the bunch run clear-out routes straight upfield, while Samuel releases inside and makes himself available to Allen across the middle of the field.

(Note: the NFL blocked the embed of the video)

WATCH THE PLAY HERE

Initially, Samuel gets a clean release and creates a bit of separation, but Reed is a technician. Watch his feet—zero wasted movement, and he is able to close the gap in an instant. If this is an away game, and a defensive back makes a play like this for the Lions—I am getting off my couch. Just an incredible play.

Next up we are jumping to the third quarter of the Buffalo game, where the Bills are facing a second-and-15.

The Jets are once again in man-coverage, with Reed working against Bills rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman. Allen is dealing with a free-runner coming off the right edge, and takes a deep shot to his rookie that ends up near the boundary.

Reed does an excellent job of getting hands on Coleman near the line of scrimmage, allowing him to maintain leverage as the receiver works upfield. Reed then locates the ball, and works through Coleman’s hands as the ball arrives.

There were a couple of tough penalties that were called on Reed against Buffalo, but it never stopped him from competing against the eventual MVP and the rest of the Bills’ high-powered offense.

For the last video in this section, we have the first play from scrimmage from the Jets Week 9 matchup against the Houston Texans. You can see Reed circled at the bottom of the screen, matched up with Texans tight end Cade Stover. The tight end runs a quick in-breaker, but Reed is all over it, working around Stover’s 6-foot-5 frame to get the pass breakup. Teach tape and another off-the-couch moment.

Football IQ and communication ​

As I mentioned earlier, you can tell when watching Reed on tape that he is a student of the game. Both pre and post-snap, he is a great communicator on the back end. In this next clip, Buffalo sends Coleman in motion towards the top of the screen, forcing Reed and the rest of the Jets secondary to sort the concept out just before Allen receives the snap.

New York is once again in man coverage, and they match up immediately, shutting down all of the options out of the bunch. Allen’s eyes appear to never work that way, and he ends up just missing Samuel despite him having a step on the defender.

Next up we have another clip from the Buffalo game, this time with Reed working against Bills’ receiver Mack Hollins. It’s second-and-8, and the Bills are in 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end) with Hollins at the top of your screen.

Allen brings him in motion to give Hollins more spacing to run his route against Reed. And if you watch the quarterback’s eyes, it appears that Hollins was the first read in this concept. However, Reed once again is in great position, and sits on the route from the jump. Allen quickly works away from Hollins, and ends up finding Kincaid in the middle of the field.

Fearlessness ​

This play was impressive for a few reasons. First, this was the very next snap after Reed was flagged for defensive pass interference on a deep shot to Hollins. All the best cornerbacks will tell you—a short-term memory is almost a necessity for the position. You get beat, shake it off, get ready for the next rep. Don’t let things snowball into an entire game.

And while Reed could have wrapped up better on this play, this shows that he doesn’t blink throughout the course of a game. He sees Samuel release into the flat, and he runs to the ball like his hair is on fire. It amounts to a 2-yard gain for the Bills, and a lost helmet for Reed.

As far as tackling goes, Reed checks all of the boxes for me as a cornerback. He is always willing to throw his weight around, and has sound technique the majority of the time when attempting to get ball carriers on the ground. Per PFF, he had a 64.3 tackling grade and only eight missed tackles in 2024.

While it wasn’t his best game in terms of penalties or production, I liked a lot of what I saw on Reed’s film, even during some of the tough moments that are inevitable against the really special quarterbacks in the NFL. That is why I featured a lot of clips from the Buffalo game. What better measuring stick than a Bills team that Lions fans saw firsthand how explosive they could be when Allen really got rolling?

Reed will be a leader in the secondary, and a key piece of a Lions defense that will be looking to reassert themselves as an elite unit under first-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...film-breakdown-dj-reed-free-agency-cornerback

 

[Detroit Lions]

Open thread: Is Hendon Hooker’s job as Lions backup QB actually in danger?

Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Does the signing of Kyle Allen suggest Hendon Hooker’s job as backup Detroit Lions quarterback is in danger?

Late on Thursday night, the Detroit Lions came to an agreement with free agent quarterback Kyle Allen, and on Friday his signing became official.

Admittedly, the signing caught me off guard, as the Lions already had three quarterbacks under contract: Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker, and Jake Fromm. Detroit has carried both three and four quarterbacks on their roster during the offseason and training camp, so it’s not an anomaly by the numbers game. However, many have looked at Allen as a possible challenge to Hooker’s spot as the team’s backup.

Hooker remains a relative unknown. He only went through his first offseason last year, and while he certainly improved as the process went on, by the end of preseason he didn’t necessarily look ready to step in if anything were to happen to Goff. The Lions even took precautions in the playoffs, making Teddy Bridgewater the team’s official backup, not wanting Hooker’s first legitimate action to be in a win-or-go-home situation.

So that begs the question:

Is Hendon Hooker’s backup job in jeopardy with the addition of Kyle Allen ?​

My answer: I don’t believe so... yet.

First of all, we don’t know the contract numbers. If they’re around the league minimum with almost no guaranteed money, then it’s a pretty big hint Allen is not much of a threat to Hooker. If there are enough guarantees in the contract to suggest he won’t get cut, that’s another story.

But let’s be honest about who Allen is. Last year, he was the third string quarterback behind Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in Pittsburgh. In 2023, he was the backup to Josh Allen. In 2022, he started as the backup to Davis Mills, then started a couple games. But after seeing him play, the Texans benched him, and he was replaced by the two-quarterback system of Milles and Jeff Driskel. That should really say it all when it comes to where Allen is at. He’s a bottom-tier backup and probably more likely a third stringer.

He’s also a veteran, which can be of help in the Lions quarterback room. Detroit loves to add experienced quarterbacks to help manage the film study and aid both the starting and backup quarterbacks. Just look at how they’ve valued guys like Bridgewater, David Blough, and Nate Sudfeld in the past. But those guys have primarily served as third stringers.

At this point, I think it’s premature to suggest Allen’s signing has anything to do with Hooker at all. If anything, it probably puts Fromm’s spot on the practice squad in danger this year.

That said, no one is just given a job in Detroit. Hooker will certainly need to continue to progress to earn the backup job—just like everyone else on the team must earn their spot. I just don’t think Allen or Fromm are where they need to be to unseat Hooker.

Share your thoughts on Hooker’s roster security by voting in the poll below and explaining your vote in the comment section below.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ions-backup-quarterback-job-danger-kyle-allen

 

[Detroit Lions]

New Lions CB D.J. Reed eager to mentor ‘All-Pro type’ Terrion Arnold

DJ Reed developed a ‘deliberate process’ to his game, and now he’s eager to share it with the Detroit Lions’ young cornerbacks room.

When it comes to things that new Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed is hoping to bring to his new team, the veteran said most things cornerbacks would. He’s eager to cover, loves playing man-to-man, and in true Detroit Lions fashion—he wants to get his nose dirty in the run game, as well.

“Most corners don’t want to tackle. Most corners want to cover. I like to throw myself out there when I have to,” Reed said.

But the 28-year-old cornerback knows that he’s entering a young cornerback room, too. The Lions drafted two cornerbacks last year: 21-year-old Terrion Arnold and 22-year-old Ennis Rakestraw. With seven NFL seasons under his belt, Reed is eager to share some of his wisdom with the room, and he already sees a ton of potential in Arnold.

“I thought Terrion played well (last year),” Reed said. “Obviously, he was handsy, which, that’s something that you can correct, that’s totally fixable. As far as talent, as far as being sticky, it was a reason why he was drafted in the first round. So, he’s going to be very good, in my opinion. I think he’s a Pro Bowl, All-Pro type of guy.”

Reed’s inclination to mentor comes from his own personal experience. He admitted when he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, he wasn’t in the right mindset to learn from future Hall of Famer Richard Sherman. But when he joined the Seattle Seahawks, he found inspiration from another likely Hall of Famer: Bobby Wagner. Reed tore his pectoral muscle during his first offseason in Seattle, but that allowed him to see how professionals like Wagner operate in the NFL.

“He was just a guy, just a professional, coming in the building at the same time, getting treatment, prehab, after the games,” Reed said. “I used to be really sore after the games. And I’m like, how are you guys getting back so quick?”

The moment was life-changing for Reed. Using some of Wagner’s tactics, he managed to work his way back from the serious injury to start eight games that season and record the first two interceptions of his career. In the next four seasons, he would tally 42 passes defended (14th among all defenders), five interceptions, and 298 tackles (11th among corners)—earning him two major contracts, including the three-year, $48 million contract he signed with the Lions last week.

Now he has his own intense routine that he’ll happily share with his teammates—but not the media.

“I don’t want to give away the sauce, dawg. You tryna get the sauce, man,” Reed joked with a reporter. “But my wife knows, it’s a deliberate process, from nutrition to the way I sleep, and we’re about to have three (kids) under three (years old). So we’re gonna have to have them night nurses and the nannies on deck to make sure I get proper sleep, make sure my wife gets proper sleep. No, sleep is important.

“Like, just doing the little things like hydrating. I play DB so I gotta make sure my feet are right, so wearing yoga toes, just doing little stuff like that, just taking everything serious as well. By that, it’s like, I’m in the weight room, I want to have the greatest lift. When I’m in the treatment. In the film room, I want to have the greatest film session. I want to take the greatest notes. That’s like my mindset. It’s like, maximize everything you do, and when you do that over a certain amount of time, it stacks and stacks and stacks.”

Imparting that wisdom to his teammate will undoubtedly be helpful to Detroit’s young secondary, but Reed’s play on the field will be just as valuable—if not more. And he plans to give the Lions his all.

“I made a promise to myself. I call it ‘Empty The Tank,’” Reed said. “To give my all, and once I’m done–whenever that is, whether it’s after this contract, whether I play longer—when I’m done playing I want to be able to say I gave everything to the game, and that’s something I looked myself in the face and said that’s how I want to operate. So it doesn’t matter if I get paid, doesn’t matter if I’m not paid, I’m going to play the same regardless of whatever the situation is. That’s just how I operate.”

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...reed-eager-mentor-all-pro-type-terrion-arnold

 

[Detroit Lions]

Notes: D.J. Reed coming to Detroit in pursuit of a Lombardi

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News wrote about Lions cornerback D.J. Reed and his pursuit of a Super Bowl.

Seven years may not seem like a long time ago for most people, but in terms of football-time, it is an eternity. For the Detroit Lions’ newly-signed cornerback D.J. Reed, it may seem like a lifetime ago in some ways, and just yesterday in others.

Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News wrote about how Reed uses memories from early in his football career to keep himself grounded.

"Don't forget where you come from" ️ https://t.co/SJa6rnmB0m pic.twitter.com/flw8XY2yr2

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 14, 2025​

As a daily reminder just in case the memory begins to fade, Reed keeps a photo of his time back as a freshman walk-on at Fresno State. After that, he would bounce back to a junior college before earning a scholarship at Kansas State. Now he is a well-established veteran, looking to add a championship ring to an already impressive professional resume.

“I wanted to get paid, I wanted to play with dogs, and gratefully, I’m playing with dogs on the defensive side and on the offensive side. So I’m going to a great team and have a shot at that Lombardi. That was my goal — win a Super Bowl.”

You can read the entire article from Nolan right here.

And now, onto the rest of today’s notes:

• Rainier Sabin of the Detroit Free Press wrote about how Lions cornerback D.J. Reed has found football bliss by coming to the Motor City.
• Roy Lopez has dreams of being a coach one day, so who better to learn from than Lions’ coach Dan Campbell? Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press has more on Lopez’s decision to come to Detroit.
• Kory Woods of MLive also wrote about Lopez, and how he is excited to learn from the rest of the Lions defensive line room.
• The Lions, along with Henry Ford Health, hosted a wellness fair for the students at the Detroit Lions Academy in an effort to encourage healthy life habits.

The Lions and @HenryFordHealth recently hosted a health and wellness fair for @DetLionsAcad students, with a rotation of sessions designed to encourage lifelong healthy habits. pic.twitter.com/QyRa0vsVbA

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 15, 2025​

• For you number-lovers out there -

3.14

One Pi-de pic.twitter.com/HjPTHOyhNv

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 14, 2025​

• Lions’ cornerback Terrion Arnold is already getting that work in, and judging by his lack of Old Navy jacket, he is somewhere back in Florida.

Lab pic.twitter.com/x5YtUoqssi

— Terrion Arnold (@ArnoldTerrion) March 15, 2025​

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...l-lombardi-pursuit-free-agent-cornerback-news

 

[Detroit Lions]

Were the Lions aggressive enough in free agency?

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The PODcast breaks down the Detroit Lions’ first week in free agency and answer some bigger questions.

The Detroit Lions have watched the first week of free agency go by and made a good number of signings and re-signings. Regardless of the roster assembled, a sentiment has appeared among a contingent of fans that there is something just not there. Something picking at the back of the brain, something missing.

Of course, there’s always a demand for huge push in free agency, and teams that go all out in March aren’t always the wisest, nor is it a surefire plan to win. Much like “F them picks,” these kind of moves get valorized when they work and derided or forgotten when they don’t.

On this episode of the Pride of Detroit PODcast, we talk a week that’s been in free agency for the Detroit Lions. We discuss the big signings in guys like D.J. Reed and the departure of Kevin Zeitler, the contract of Levi Onwuzurike and the interesting question of Roy Lopez. We ask if Kyle Allen is bad news for Hendon Hooker, and we examine what positions are still in need of some TLC following this week and what’s likely to be patched up before the draft. We discuss that burning question—did the Lions do enough, should they have gone after big names—and lay out some very proper truths about salary caps, their risings and their plannings (plus, a good reminder of how good this Lions roster is right now anyway).

Thank you for your continued support of PODcast.

Subscribe to the PODcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Pride Of Detroit on Twitch to get notified when we record the PODcast live and chat with us. Video replays are available on Twitch and YouTube.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...t-lions-aggressive-enough-free-agency-podcast

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions re-sign depth defensive end

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions announced they have re-signed Mitchell Agude, who provides some depth at defensive end.

The Detroit Lions announced on Monday that they have re-signed defensive end Mitchell Agude.

The news is a mild surprise because Agude was an exclusive rights free agent at the beginning of the year. That means the Lions had the option to tender him, and Agude would only have two options: sign the minimum-salary one-year deal or sit out the entire season. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions did not offer Agude the ERFA tender, which typically means they are letting that player hit unrestricted free agency.

Regardless, Agude is back, although contract terms were not immediately available.

Agude spent most of the 2023 season—his rookie year—on the Lions’ practice squad. After re-signing with Detroit last year, he, again, spent most of 2024 on the practice squad. However, when injuries hit late in the season, Agude was on the active roster for the final four regular season games. He appeared on 40 defensive snaps and 55 special teams snaps, finishing the season with three tackles and a forced fumble.

Great effort by Lions DL 50 Mitchell Agude to hustle downfield and knock this ball out. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/Of6P5xDmeD

— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) December 24, 2024​

At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, Agude is on the smaller end for a Lions defensive end, but he gives Detroit an option as a SAM linebacker depth piece. Agude had a strong preseason with the Lions, leading the team with 12 tackles, while also notching two for loss and another forced fumble.

As of now, the Lions’ edge defender room looks like this: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, Isaac Ukwu, Nate Lynn, Derrick Barnes, and Agude.

Keep up to date on the latest Lions free agency moves with our 2025 Detroit Lions offseason tracker and contract/depth chart tracker.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...itchell-agude-depth-defensive-end-free-agency

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions News: Meet the team trainer of 45 years who just retired

JULIAN H. GONZALEZ, DETROIT FREE PRESS

Take a trip down memory lane with Detroit Lions athletic trainer Joe Recknagel.

Between free agency and the looming NFL draft just over a month away, most of our Detroit Lions-centric reading involves the future.

That’s why I thought you’d enjoy taking a break and checking out a profile on Joe Recknagel — an athletic trainer for the Lions for a whopping 45 years.

After being with the Lions since a 1977 summer internship, Recknagel finally retired last month, having worked more than 800 games for the team. In an interview with The Blade’s Mark Monroe, the 68-year-old reflects on some of his most impactful memories with the franchise.

Recknagel’s mission was basic in idea, anything but in execution — get or keep the players healthy enough to play each week.

“Any job comes with the good and the bad. But you see some guys realize that their career is over. You know if it’s a devastating injury. With Mike [Utley] we knew right away something was not right,” Recknagel told The Blade, referencing a former Lion who suffered an injury in 1991 so bad he would become paralyzed from the chest down. “That’s really tough to see these guys get hurt. I still talk to Mike and he’s doing well, all things considered.”

As he said, there’s both good and bad. The good: Barry Sanders. Recknagel recalled watching Sanders’ first game from the sidelines, and several other big moments in his career.

“I looked over there and all these guys were clapping for Barry’s move. No kidding, the opponent was clapping. I can’t compare Barry with Billy Sims or (Jahmyr) Gibbs or (David) Montgomery. They’re different guys. They’re all very special running backs,” he said.

In the rest of the interview, Recknagel goes on to explain the difference between playoffs at Ford Field versus the Pontiac Silverdome, how special the team’s resurgence has been after he watched decades of failure, and why he thinks the Lions have struggled to win a Super Bowl. It’s a profile I think any true lifelong Lions fan will enjoy.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• Couple of the best quotes from the newest Lions.

"Playstyle is definitely crash out"

Listen to the best soundbites from our new additions ️ pic.twitter.com/ba2tKbpSlU

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 17, 2025​

• Per usual, love the way the guys love each other.

Amik Robertson has a fantastic PFP on Instagram pic.twitter.com/yyRbY6Ict0

— Steven Bolek (@sbolek1) March 15, 2025​

• Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman is back with a handful of pro days to watch this week.

• Former Lion turned analyst Jason Cabinda weighs in on Brad Holmes’ roster-building strategy.

As we get closer to this #NFLDraft let’s all remember just how scary of a run Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes is on. Has constructed one of the best 2-3 year drafting runs the league has seen and shows no signs of slowing down! Expect him to make some calls to some difference makers…

— Jason Cabinda (@jasoncabinda) March 17, 2025​

After Detroit fans set a new PWHL attendance record on Sunday at LCA, the New York Sirens took over Ford Field to have some fun.

With 14,288 fans at Little Caesars Arena tonight for the PWHL Takeover Tour game, Detroit has reclaimed the U.S. attendance record for women’s pro hockey. https://t.co/K4oLB6OEyb

— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) March 17, 2025​

Game recognizes game

Huge shout out to the @Lions for letting us stop by during our Detroit takeover! pic.twitter.com/2fjX3EHLvw

— New York Sirens (@PWHL_NewYork) March 17, 2025​

PUT EM IN COACH pic.twitter.com/tC77y1AZzI

— New York Sirens (@PWHL_NewYork) March 17, 2025​

Absolutely gassed for these new threads pic.twitter.com/Rod4PKQ9Om

— New York Sirens (@PWHL_NewYork) March 17, 2025​

• Footballers unite.

.@JamalMusiala @amonra_stbrown https://t.co/hCDqnwbEOA pic.twitter.com/PvB28mCz2j

— FC Bayern US (@FCBayernUS) March 17, 2025​

Jamal Musiala reported for international duty in an Amon-Ra St. Brown Detroit Lions jersey ️

St. Brown, whose mother is from Germany, wears the German flag on his NFL helmet and is a Bayern Munich fan pic.twitter.com/L6nh158nCY

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) March 17, 2025​

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...the-team-trainer-of-45-years-who-just-retired

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions re-sign another defensive line reserve

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions have re-signed veteran DL Pat O’Connor.

The Detroit Lions announced on Tuesday they have re-signed defensive lineman Pat O’Connor. Originally a Lions seventh-round pick in 2017, O’Connor returned to Detroit last year after spending seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

O’Connor, 31, signed with Detroit in the middle of training camp last season, and while he didn’t make the original 53-man roster, it didn’t take long for him to find his way onto the active gameday roster. In Week 7, he would get the bump from the practice squad, and he would play a significant role in each of the 12 remaining games of the regular season, before suffering an injury in the finale. He finished the year with 18 tackles, 1.0 sacks, and two tackles for loss.

O’Connor’s best attribute for Detroit was his versatility. While he’s traditionally known as a defensive end, he stepped in and played some nose tackle for the Lions last year after they lost Kyle Peko to injury against the Cowboys.

“The guys love him. I love him,” former Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams said. “I mean, he works his butt off. He does a good job on special teams, but more than anything, the position flexibility. Like, he can play nose tackle, end.”

Williams is gone now, but he has been replaced by Kacey Rodgers, who is more than familiar with O’Connor’s game. Rodgers was O’Connor’s position coach from 2019 to 2023.

O’Connor is the latest of several Lions defensive linemen to re-sign in Detroit, including Marcus Davenport, Mitchell Agude, Myles Adams, and Levi Onwuzurike.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ns-re-sign-pat-oconnor-defensive-line-reserve

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions propose 3 rule changes, including major playoff-seeding fix

Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions proposed 3 rules for the 2025 season, including a drastic change to playoff seeding.

The NFL owners meetings are at the end of the month in Florida, which will give teams their first opportunity to vote on rule changes for the 2025 season. As they have in previous years, the Detroit Lions are active again in proposing new rules for the season ahead. Detroit has three new rules they hope to get passed this offseason.

1. Eliminate automatic first downs on illegal contact and defense holding penalties

Currently, these 5-yard infractions carry a stipulation that the offense be awarded an automatic first down. This can prove costly on third-and-long situations despite the relatively minor infraction.

2. Change playoff seeding so that Wild Card teams with a better record get a higher seed than a division winner

This proposal is clearly inspired by how the 2024 NFC North played out. Entering the final week of the season, the Lions and Vikings were both 14-2 and were set to face off in the regular season finale. The winner would earn the NFC’s top seed, while the loser dropped all the way to the fifth seed, forcing them to go on the road in the opening round of the playoffs despite having the second-best record in the conference.

Under this proposal, there are still autobids for division winners, but the order of seeding is completely determined by record. Winning the division no longer automatically means you’ll host a playoff game.

3. Players placed on IR before cutdown date do not count against the team’s 90-man roster limit

Currently, any player who is placed on IR before the cutdown date counts against the 90-man roster. Because these players are not eligible to return from IR, the Lions are proposing that they do not occupy a roster spot once placed on IR.

You can read all of the new rule proposals here.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...e-changes-including-major-playoff-seeding-fix