As the offseason continued and free agency news reached a frenzy, the Detroit Lions had only let talent walk out the door, versus bringing it in or retaining it. They released mid-season signing Z’Darius Smith, a defensive end formerly with the Packers that Detroit brought on to ease their injury woes in 2024. Then the Patriots stole cornerback Carlton Davis III in free agency via a 3-year, $60M deal.
That left the Lions vulnerable in an already thin secondary. Alongside standout safety Kerby Joseph, who led the league with 8 INTS last year, the team has been forced to rely on 2024 rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, a frequent target of opposing offensive coordinators.
Earlier Monday afternoon, the Lions compensated for Davis’ departure by signing a coveted free agent CB to replace him.
NFC North Foe Buttressing the Troops in Free Agency
Per Jordan Schultz at Fox Sports, the Lions have signed the Jets’ DJ Reed for 3 years and $$48M, slightly less than the value of Davis’ deal with New England.
Compared to Davis, Reed might be a downgrade, albeit one of the top free agents available at his position. In New York last season, his 7th in the NFL, Reed played 14 games, did not record an interception, and made 64 tackles. He has picked off 6 passes in his career.
As the Lions well know, availability is often the best ability. If Reed can stay relatively healthy, as he has over the past four seasons, missing 8 games total, they will take it.
All the same, exchanging Davis for Reed is unlikely to universally satisfy Lions fans desperate for their team to make defensive upgrades, not compromises. The former bested the latter in PFF grade last season, 74.5 to 70.7.
“Cooked food overpay,” one fan tweeter.
“He short,” someone else commented. True, the Lions sacrifice four inches of height between the 6’1 Davis and the 5’9 Reed.
Some Detroit Lions Fans Are Thrilled
Others felt differently: “Upgrade from Davis. Lions on paper w/ that defense coming back are a top two roster in football. Will be interesting to see how they handle losing both coordinators…”
Not sure about an upgrade, but OK. In a possibly biased poll posted in the comments by LionsFanReport, 71.4% of over 2,400 respondents so far have given Detroit an A for the signing.
23.3% of voters handed out a B, and only 5.3% gave the Lions a C or D grade, the lowest scores presented in the poll.
One fan issued a challenge to the Green Bay’s front office, saying, “Lions stocking up, the Packers…?”
Detroit has not exactly been “stocking up,” with the Reed signing their only notable move thus far. To be fair, the Packers have arguably been even less impressive given their roster and similarly lowkey offseason activity. Thus far they have re-signed kicker Brandon McManus and linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, as well as offensive lineman Aaron Banks. Defensive tackle DJ Slaton is a Bengal.
Dear Brian Gutekunst,
We are waiting on you to make a move. You missed out on Metcalf. You missed out on Mack. Garrett and Higgins are long gone. Do something. DO. SOMETHING.
Sincerely,
Packers fans
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