Lions Extend LB Jack Campbell
11:20pm: Campbell and the Lions agreed to a four-year deal worth $81MM, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal includes $51.5MM in guaranteed money.
With the deal coming in at a $20.25MM average annual value, Campbell will slide right behind Warner ($21MM) and right ahead of Smith ($20MM) on the list of the highest AAVs among linebackers.
12:55pm: Extension talks between the Lions and Jack Campbell have produced an agreement. The All-Pro linebacker announced on Thursday that he has signed a new deal with Detroit.
The Lions recently declined Campbell’s fifth-year option, but an extension remained the team’s goal in this case. The Lions have since confirmed today’s news of a long-term pact being finalized. Campbell will remain on the books through 2030 as a result of this deal.
This marks the first Lions action with regards to one of their impact 2023 draftees. The team came away with Campbell, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch in the first two rounds of the ’23 draft. The team exercised Gibbs’ fifth-year option, buying more time on that front, but off-ball linebacker options are annually declined. Detroit followed suit, but this move differentiates the Lions, as several teams have lost first-round ILBs in free agency after declining an option.
Since the Buccaneers exercised Devin White‘s option in 2022, no team has picked up a non-rush linebacker’s. This has led to subsequent free agency defections from Patrick Queen, Jordyn Brooks, Quay Walker and Devin Lloyd over the past three offseasons. Lloyd and Walker respectively left Jacksonville and Green Bay in March. The Lions’ proactivity with Campbell — whose option, thanks to the NFL grouping rush and non-rush ‘backers together in the option formula, checked in at $21.93MM — will bring a course change at this position and ensure a 2025 All-Pro talent remains in place with the team that selected him.
Detroit drew criticism coming out of the 2023 first round, as both picks went to players at non-premium positions. But Gibbs has become one of the NFL’s most electric running backs; Campbell made 2025 a breakout season. The Iowa product, chosen 18th overall in 2023, zoomed to first-team All-Pro acclaim after finishing the season with 176 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles and nine tackles for loss. Campbell is the first player to record 160-plus tackles and five-plus sacks in a season in more than 20 years.
He became the first Lions linebacker to claim first-team All-Pro honors since Chris Spielman‘s 1991 season. Because of Campbell’s original-ballot Pro Bowl nod, his option number increased to nearly $22MM.
Campbell, 25, has never missed a game as a pro. This ironman run proved tremendously beneficial for the Lions in 2024, when their 15-2 squad lost several defenders — including linebackers Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez — to major injuries. The Lions re-signed Barnes to a three-year, $24MM deal in 2025 but let Anzalone play out his contract. The longtime starter joined the Bucs in free agency. Rodriguez re-signed with the Lions (one year, $2.75MM) in March.
Although the Lions could not negotiate with Campbell on a new deal until January, a re-up has been on the team’s radar for a while. We heard in November a likelihood the team would act here, and steady buzz has built in the months since. GM Brad Holmes called Campbell, Gibbs, LaPorta and Branch priorities in January, and the team has now taken care of one key contractual matter. It would surprise if a Gibbs payday does not follow suit, potentially leaving the Lions with a LaPorta-or-Branch decision. Holmes, however, has done well to extend core players drafted during his tenure.
This Campbell extension follows the deals given to Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Alim McNeill, Kerby Joseph, Jameson Williams and Aidan Hutchinson. With Jared Goff also extended, the top of the Lions’ payroll is becoming a bit crowded. Considering the struggles the franchise endured in the period prior to Holmes’ arrival, this represents a good problem to have.
The NFL only features two off-ball linebackers on $20MM-per-year deals — All-Pros Fred Warner and Roquan Smith — while Azeez Al-Shaair ($18MM AAV) and Zack Baun ($17MM) are the only ILBs north of $15MM per annum. This is a good time to pay an inside ‘backer, with the market stagnating during the 2020s. Al-Shaair’s extension earlier this year could certainly be relevant for Campbell, and it would surprise if the ascending player did not join this group as a top-five salary player at the position.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Lions Sign WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.
The Lions addressed their wide receiver position with a Day 3 draft choice while reuniting new OC Drew Petzing with ex-Cardinal Greg Dortch. The team is making another move for potential depth, however.
Cedrick Wilson Jr. signed with the Lions on Wednesday, per a team announcement. Wilson spent last season with the Dolphins, returning to Miami after playing the 2024 campaign in New Orleans.
Wilson, 30, did not live up to a three-year, $22.1MM Dolphins accord signed back in 2022 and was released in 2024. The second-generation NFL wideout totaled 602 receiving yards and six touchdowns with the 2021 Cowboys but has not eclipsed 300 yards in any other season. Working as a tertiary Miami option alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in 2023, Wilson did tally 296 yards and three TDs. But the Dolphins moved on rather than keep him on that contract in 2024.
The Saints gave Wilson a two-year, $5.75MM to play in Klint Kubiak‘s system in 2024. With the Saints losing Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to injury that season, Wilson provided modest assistance in 15 games (20 catches, 211 yards) and landed on New Orleans’ practice squad to open 2025. The Dolphins signed Wilson off the Saints’ P-squad last September following Hill’s season-ending knee injury; Wilson saw minimal action in 10 contests, catching just five passes for 44 yards.
Detroit returns Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams to go with second-year cog Isaac TeSlaa at receiver. A former Cardinals slot receiver, Dortch signed a one-year, $1.4MM deal that included a $1.1MM guarantee. Detroit then drafted Kentucky’s Kendrick Law in Round 5 last month. This situation will certainly not guarantee Wilson a roster spot, and it would surprise if his guarantee matched Dortch’s at this offseason juncture.
Wilson has never cleared the 35% snap barrier on special teams, though he does have 36 career punt returns on his resume. The Lions lost longtime returner Kalif Raymond in free agency; Raymond is now with the Bears. The Lions also have longtime backup/P-squad presence Tom Kennedy among their cadre of second-string candidates at receiver. Wilson will join the fray as a potential option for the 53-man roster or practice squad.
Lions Holding Competition At Left Guard
Lions third-year offensive lineman Christian Mahogany may be the frontrunner to start at left guard, but he will have to battle for the job. Mahogany will face “real competition” from Ben Bartch and Miles Frazier, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic.
Despite earning first-team All-ACC honors as a senior at Boston College in 2023, Mahogany lasted until the sixth round of the ensuing draft. A torn ACL cost Mahogany his entire junior season at BC, and injuries have continued troubling him in Detroit.
Mahogany began his career on the non-football injury list and played just seven games (one start) as a rookie. In the wake of Frank Ragnow‘s retirement, Graham Glasgow moved to center last year. That opened up left guard for Mahogany, who became a full-time starter when healthy. However, a fractured fibula held him to 11 games. The results weren’t great when Mahogany took the field, as Pro Football Focus ranked his performance 47th among 79 guards. Mahogany’s pass-blocking grade (40.7) was PFF’s sixth-worst at his position.
Entering free agency in search of guard depth, the Lions added Bartch on a low-cost deal (one year, $1.22MM) in March. The former Jaguar and 49er has started in just 24 of 55 games during his career. As is the case with Mahogany, injuries have been a problem for Bartch. The 27-year-old has missed between two and 14 games in each of his seven seasons. He opened last year as the 49ers’ starting left guard, but he never got the job back after going down with a high ankle sprain in Week 2. While Bartch returned from injured reserve in November, a foot sprain ended his season a few weeks later.
A three-year starter at LSU, Frazier joined the Lions as a fifth-rounder in the 2025 draft. Like Mahogany, he was unavailable at the beginning of his career. Frazier began the season on the reserve/PUP list as a result of a knee injury and did not debut until Week 13. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder came off the bench in five games and was on the field for just 46 offensive snaps, but he could take on a much larger role if he impresses over the summer.
The Lions have a few months to figure out left guard, whereas the rest of their offensive line looks set. Elite tackle Penei Sewell is on track to switch from the right to the left side, replacing released 10-year starter Taylor Decker. Sewell’s presence on the left should benefit whichever guard lines up next to him. On the other side of the line, first-round rookie Blake Miller is the favorite to start at right tackle. Second-year man Tate Ratledge has right guard locked down, and former Panther Cade Mays will start at center in the first season of a three-year, $25MM contract.
Lions Attempted To Acquire No. 14 Pick From Ravens
Not long after the draft was finished, it was reported the Ravens nearly worked out a trade which would have seen them move down the first-round order. Further details on the offer Baltimore considered have emerged.
The latest edition of Ravens Wired (video link) showcases the discussions held by general manager Eric DeCosta and Co. leading up to the 14th overall pick. The Lions attempted to move up from No. 17, offering pick No. 118 and a third-round selection in 2027 to do so. Teams were largely hesitant to part with capital in next year’s draft, one believed to be much stronger than the 2026 edition.
That makes Detroit’s offer a notable one, although it comes as little surprise GM Brad Holmes showed interest in moving up the board. The Lions had long been connected to Kadyn Proctor, and drafting him would have helped stabilize an offensive line which has been in flux this year. Based on the timing of Baltimore’s conversations with Detroit, it appears as though Holmes’ offer was rescinded shortly before the Ravens made their selection.
The Dolphins wound up selecting Proctor at No. 12, taking the Alabama product out of consideration for any Lions deal moving them up the board. As a result, the Ravens remained in place and went the expected route of drafting Penn State guard Vega Ioane. The Lions, meanwhile, still managed to add an offensive tackle by drafting Clemson’s Blake Miller at No. 17. All three O-linemen will be expected to contribute early and often in their careers.
Proctor flashed considerable potential with his combination of size and athleticism during his college career. Concerns related to his playing weight and overall consistency were raised leading up to the draft, but it came as little surprise when he was selected early on Day 1 (albeit to play guard in Miami). Miller’s stock nevertheless rose considerably during the pre-draft process, and his success as a rookie will play a key role in determining the Lions’ play up front as they seek to return to the playoffs in 2026.
NFL’s TE Market Expected To Rise
A select number of positions have seen their respective markets surge over recent years in the NFL. The tight end spot is nowhere near as lucrative as certain others, but a spike could soon be coming.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes a number of notable tight end deals can be expected in the near future. This offseason has seen indications that could be the case, and a few extension cases will be worth watching closely. Fowler unsurprisingly names the Lions’ Sam LaPorta and the Packers’ Tucker Kraft as candidates for a lucrative second contract as early as this year.
Both players are pending 2027 free agents. LaPorta quickly emerged as a focal point in Detroit’s passing game, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie. The former second-rounder saw a reduction in production the following season and was limited to just nine games in 2025, though. Still, any LaPorta extension would bring about a considerable raise relative to the $2.04MM in cash he is due for the coming campaign.
Detroit’s financial outlook is of course complex when it comes to members of the 2022 draft class. LaPorta, but also first-rounders Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell as well as second-rounder Brian Branch, is in line for a new pact. Keeping all four members of that group while affording the big-money deals already on the books will be challenging for the Lions. Authorizing an extension would allow the team to keep one of the league’s top young tight ends in the fold but it would also likely lessen the chances of retaining Campbell and Branch in particular.
Kraft, like LaPorta, is 25. The South Dakota State product saw his offensive role increase across his first two years in Green Bay. Kraft then enjoyed a stellar start to the 2025 campaign, averaging over 61 yards per game and scoring six touchdowns in eight contests. An ACL tear ended his season, however. Kraft is on course to collect $1.51MM in 2025, but a long-term deal would be worth far more.
The Packers have had a young – and cost-effective – pass-catching group for the last few years in particular. That still includes a number of receivers on rookie deals (although investments have been made in Jayden Reed and Christian Watson) as well as tight end Luke Musgrave on his initial NFL pact. Green Bay could pursue an extension in Kraft’s case before he returns to action knowing a team-friendly figure could be easier to arrive at.
The tight end market currently consists of 13 multiyear contracts averaging between $10MM and $19.1MM annually. Kyle Pitts‘ franchise tag, meanwhile, checks in at just over $15MM. Last offseason, Trey McBride and the Cardinals agreed to a four-year, $76MM deal. Continued spikes in the salary cap should help the likes of LaPorta and Kraft secure similar (if not larger) deals, while Brock Bowers will position himself for a big-money extension as early as 2027 if his Raiders production continues next season.
As Fowler notes, an increased emphasis on using multiple tight ends has emerged around the league. Free agency saw Charlie Kolar, for instance, land $8.1MM in average annual value and $17MM guaranteed after he totaled just 30 catches in four Ravens seasons. Last month’s draft demonstrated how blocking tight ends were seen as highly valuable during the middle rounds. Provided that trend continues, depth contributors at the TE spot will continue to see raises while the top of the market reaches new heights.
Each NFL Franchise’s Richest RB Contract
Running back value has become a divisive topic in the modern NFL, and teams’ histories with these investments reveal a large gap in their respective approaches to RB contracts. Following our installments covering the highest-paid quarterback, wide receiver and off-ball linebacker in each team’s history, here are the most lucrative deals — ranked by guaranteed money — for running backs in each franchise’s history (the list excludes rookie contracts).
Unlike the QB and WR markets, some teams’ top RB deals occurred decades ago. This list covers contracts agreed to across four different decades.
Arizona Cardinals
- James Conner; March 14, 2022: Three years, $21MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Jeremiyah Love‘s rookie contract brings the highest guarantee ($53MM) in RB history, but for veteran accords, Conner’s second Arizona pact is the organizational standard
Atlanta Falcons
- Devonta Freeman; August 9, 2017: Five years, $41.25MM ($22.1MM guaranteed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Henry; May 19, 2025: Two years, $30MM ($25MM guaranteed)
Buffalo Bills
- James Cook; August 13, 2025: Four years, $46MM ($28.82MM guaranteed)
LeSean McCoy‘s March 2015 extension included more guaranteed at signing ($18.25MM), but Cook’s brought a rolling guarantee structure that eclipsed that package in total
Carolina Panthers
- Christian McCaffrey; April 13, 2020: Four years, $64.1MM ($38.16MM guaranteed)
Chicago Bears
- Matt Forte; July 16, 2012: Four years, $30.4MM ($17.1MM guaranteed)
D’Andre Swift‘s 2024 agreement included more guaranteed at signing ($14MM), but Forte’s guarantee package remains the Chicago standard
Cincinnati Bengals
- Corey Dillon; May 11, 2001: Five years, $26MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)
The Bengals more than doubled Dillon’s AAV number in 2020 for Joe Mixon (four years, $48MM) but only guaranteed $10MM of that pact
Cleveland Browns
- Nick Chubb; July 31, 2021: Three years, $36.6MM ($20MM guaranteed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Ezekiel Elliott; September 4, 2019: Six years, $90MM ($50.1MM guaranteed)
Denver Broncos
- Melvin Gordon; March 20, 2020: Two years, $16MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Detroit Lions
- Barry Sanders; July 21, 1997: Six years, $33.5MM ($11.5MM guaranteed)
David Montgomery‘s two Lions deals topped the Hall of Famer in AAV, but neither surpassed $11MM guaranteed; Jahmyr Gibbs is tied to the highest RB guarantee in franchise history ($17.85MM) but got there via a rookie deal
Green Bay Packers
- Aaron Jones; March 14, 2021: Four years, $48MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Josh Jacobs‘ 2024 pact edges Jones in AAV but fell short of his predecessor’s deal in guarantees
Houston Texans
- Arian Foster; March 5, 2012: Five years, $43.5MM ($20.75MM guaranteed)
Indianapolis Colts
- Jonathan Taylor; October 7, 2023: Three years, $42MM ($26.5MM guaranteed)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maurice Jones-Drew; April 15, 2009: Five years, $31.1MM ($14.25MM guaranteed)
Leonard Fournette received a $27.15MM guarantee — still in the top 10 in RB history — but it came on a rookie contract
Kansas City Chiefs
- Kenneth Walker; March 9, 2026: Three years, $43.1MM ($28.7MM guaranteed)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Josh Jacobs; August 26, 2023: One year, $11.79MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Raiders sweetened Jacobs’ franchise tag agreement; Ashton Jeanty‘s 2025 rookie slot deal included $35.9MM guaranteed
Los Angeles Chargers
- LaDainian Tomlinson; August 15, 2004: Six years, $48MM ($21MM guaranteed)
Los Angeles Rams
- Todd Gurley; July 24, 2018: Four years, $57.5MM ($45MM guaranteed)
Miami Dolphins
- De’Von Achane; May 13, 2026: Four years, $64MM ($32MM guaranteed)
Minnesota Vikings
- Adrian Peterson; September 10, 2011: Six years, $86.28MM ($36MM guaranteed)
New England Patriots
- Rhamondre Stevenson; June 20, 2024: Four years, $36MM ($17.12MM guaranteed)
New Orleans Saints
- Alvin Kamara; September 12, 2020: Five years, $75MM ($33.83MM guaranteed)
New York Giants
- Saquon Barkley; March 7, 2023: One year, $10.1MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Barkley’s rookie slot deal included $31.19MM guaranteed — fourth all time among all RB contracts — while Devin Singletary‘s $9.5MM represents the franchise’s high-water mark on a multiyear deal
New York Jets
- Breece Hall; May 8, 2026: Three years, $43.5MM ($29MM guaranteed)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Saquon Barkley; March 4, 2025: Two years, $41.2MM ($36MM guaranteed)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Le’Veon Bell; February 27, 2017: One year, $12.12MM franchise tag ($12.12MM guaranteed)
Bell’s second franchise tag (2018) covered $14.54MM, but the RB became the first tagged player this century to skip a season; Jaylen Warren‘s 2025 extension brought the highest Steelers RB guarantee ($7.1MM) on a multiyear deal
San Francisco 49ers
- Christian McCaffrey; June 4, 2024: Two years, $38MM ($24MM guaranteed)
Seattle Seahawks
- Marshawn Lynch; March 4, 2012: Four years, $30MM ($17MM guaranteed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Doug Martin; March 9, 2016: Five years, $35.75MM ($15MM guaranteed)
Tennessee Titans
- Derrick Henry; July 15, 2020: Four years, $50MM ($25.5MM guaranteed)
Washington Commanders
- Clinton Portis; March 1, 2004: Eight years, $50.52MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Information from OverTheCap and Spotrac was used in the creation of this post
Lions DBs Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph Recovering Well
The Lions are hoping their secondary can come back strong in 2026 after being decimated by injuries last year.
Detroit’s starting four – D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, and Kerby Joseph – all missed several games with the latter three ending the season on injured reserve. Daniel Thomas and Ennis Rakestraw also landed on IR, and Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper missed multiple games as well.
Arnold underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder after injuring it multiple times during the season. He was also sidelined by a concussion for two games. At present, he is unsure about his availability for OTAs or mandatory minicamp.
“That’s kind of up to [the team] and just where I’m at with my recovery and my treatment and stuff,” Arnold said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “But as far as training camp and stuff, I know I’m expected to be there.”
The Lions signed Roger McCreary and drafted Keith Abney this offseasonto give themselves some depth in their cornerback room, but it appears that Arnold, Reed, and last year’s No. 3 boundary starter, Rock-Ya Sin, will be ready for the start of the regular season.
There is more uncertainty in Detroit’s safety room. General manager Brad Holmes said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith) that both Branch and Joseph are “heading in the right direction.” Detroit did sign veteran safeties Chuck Clark and Christian Izien in free agency as insurance, but they declined to target the position in the draft.
However, Holmes added that the Lions’ decision not to draft a safety was not a reflection of their confidence in their current stars’ recoveries.
“We didn’t ignore [the safety position],” Holmes continued. “There were some good ones that were out there that just got picked before we were able to, but it just didn’t quite line up. I didn’t really think that class was as deep either, so it had to line up and you had to strike right.”
Vikings Request GM Interviews With Ray Agnew, Reed Burckhardt, Kyle Smith
The list of candidates for the Vikings GM opening continues to grow. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team has requested interviews with three executives: Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew, Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt, and Dolphins assistant GM Kyle Smith.
Agnew had front office stints with the Jets and Rams before following Brad Holmes to Detroit to become the Lions assistant general manager in 2021. The executive has helped spearhead a franchise turnaround; after a three-win showing during the first year under the new regime, the Lions have averaged more than 11 wins per season since 2022. The front office has also pulled off shrewd trades (like the Matthew Stafford–Jared Goff swap) and have hit on some key picks (including Aidan Hutchinson and Jahmyr Gibbs). As a result, Agnew has been mentioned as a candidate to eventually lead his own front office.
Burckhardt earned a promotion to Denver’s assistant GM last offseason. The executive previously served as the team’s director of player personnel. Before his stint with the Broncos, Burckhardt worked alongside current boss George Paton in Minnesota, where he held a variety of scouting and personnel roles. Following Burckhardt’s promotion to assistant GM in Denver, the Broncos proceeded to have one of their most successful seasons in recent history, finishing with 14 victories. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, Burckhardt interviewed for the Vikings gig earlier today.
Smith worked his way up to vice president of player personnel in Washington and assistant GM in Atlanta before taking an assistant GM gig in Miami under Jon-Eric Sullivan. The executive was credited with some of Washington’s draft hits like Terry McLaurin, and he’s currently being counted on to guide a similar rebuild in Miami.
The Vikings fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in late January and went through the draft with Rob Brzezinski in place in the interim. In the meantime, the team has been looking high and low for their new front office leader. The latest trio joins a list of candidates that also includes Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander, 49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen, Bills assistant GM Terrance Gray, Rams assistant GM John McKay, Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasely, and Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler.
Meanwhile, Albert Breer of SI.com recently provided some insight on the organization’s approach. The reporter suggests that Brzezinski could be kept in a role similar to Mike Disner with the Lions or Tony Pastoors with the Rams, with the new GM being tasked with more of a “scouting-focused” role. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports adds that the team’s search will surely continue through Memorial Day and could drag on into late May.
Lions Had Interest In Kadyn Proctor, Landed On Blake Miller Late
The Lions have overhauled their offensive line in the last two years, with only one of their 2024 starters – tackle Penei Sewell – still on the team.
In 2025, center Frank Ragnow retired and right guard Kevin Zeitler left in free agency. Detroit moved Graham Glasgow to center and installed recent draft picks Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge as their starting guards.
This offseason, the Lions released Glasgow and left tackle Taylor Decker, creating more holes to fill along their offensive line. They signed Cade Mays to start at center and acquired Juice Scruggs via a trade with the Texans to provide depth at all three interior spots.
Head coach Dan Campbell said that Sewell would move to the blind side, where he lined up in college, leaving a hole at right tackle. Detroit added Larry Borom on a one-year, $5MM deal, but that price point indicates that he is not a preferred starter.
The Lions were frequently projected to use their first-round pick (No. 17 overall) on an offensive tackle to upgrade over Borom. They were initially linked to Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor – one of the few first-round tackles who played on the blind side – and were even seen as his floor in the first round. Detroit explored moving up for a tackle in the first-round, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, but the Dolphins took Proctor at No. 12, just outside of their range for such a trade.
That worked out just fine for the Lions, who stood pat and landed Clemson right tackle Blake Miller. His name was “magma-hot late in the process,” Fowler notes, adding that an NFC executive ranked him as the top offensive tackle in the 2026 class.
Drafting Miller, who made all but two of his college starts at right tackle, will cement Sewell’s switch back to left tackle. Detroit will be hoping not only that the two can become the league’s top bookends, but also that the entire five-man unit can mesh quickly. The remade offensive line now features no starters over 27 years old, the result of a clear effort by the front office to phase out older veterans and install their next generation of blockers.
CB Jerry Jacobs Announces Retirement
Free agent cornerback Jerry Jacobs took to Instagram to announce his retirement on Tuesday (via Jordan Schultz). The 28-year-old played with the Lions from 2021-23.
Prior to Tuesday, the most recent mention of Jacobs on PFR’s pages came when he worked out for the Broncos in December 2024. The Broncos passed on signing Jacobs, who received his last NFL contract when the Rams inked him to a deal in July 2024. They wound up waiving Jacobs with an injury settlement less than a month later.
Despite going undrafted in 2021, Jacobs immediately worked his way into a significant role in the Lions’ defense as a rookie. The former Arkansas Razorback made nine starts in 13 games and tallied seven passes defensed during an interception-less first season. Jacobs notched his first career pick and added eight more PDs in his second year, a 12-game, eight-start campaign.
Although Jacobs’ INT total climbed to three over 15 games and 12 starts in 2023, Detroit relegated him to a special teams role late in the year. With Kindle Vildor taking over as the starter opposite Cameron Sutton, Jacobs played just one defensive snap in the last four games of the regular season. The Lions finished 12-5 and snapped a six-year playoff drought, but Jacobs did not factor in during what amounted to a three-game postseason for the club. They placed Jacobs on injured reserve on the eve of a wild-card round win over the Rams.
Detroit had a chance to retain Jacobs in 2024, but he became an unrestricted free agent after it opted against giving him an RFA tender. Two years later, Jacobs is officially hanging up his cleats. Across 40 games and 29 starts, Jacobs racked up 131 tackles, 23 PDs and four picks.