Lions Rumors

Lions To Sign DT D.J. Reader

D.J. Reader has found his next opportunity. The veteran defensive tackle has agreed to a two-year deal with the Lions, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The pact is worth up to $27.25MM and includes more than $9MM in guaranteed money, per Rapoport.

[RELATED: Lions Extend Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes]

Reader met with the Lions on Tuesday, with Detroit looking to evaluate the progress of his recovery from a quad injury. That ailment ended his 2023 campaign, and it marked his second career torn quad, something which threated to limit his earning power on the open market. Another Bengals deal was on Cincinnati’s radar, but the 29-year-old will head to the Motor City instead.

After playing out his rookie contract with the Texans, Reader landed a four-year, $53MM deal to join the Bengals in 2020. He was an impactful starter over that time, being rated in the top 11 for defensive tackles by PFF in each of the past three seasons. The former fifth-rounder racked up 123 tackles and three sacks in 44 Bengals contests, proving to be a valued member of the 2021 team which reached the Super Bowl.

His absence will be acutely felt up front for Cincinnati (though Sheldon Rankins has been added as a replacement), but the Lions’ D-line will benefit greatly with Reader in the fold. Detroit already had Alim McNeill in place as a starter, but the team was in the market for another interior lineman to pair with him. Reader will fit the bill as part of a Lions front which also includes Aidan Hutchinson and, now, fellow edge rusher Marcus Davenport.

Improving up font was a goal for Detroit, a team which has also made a few notable moves in the secondary. After reaching the NFC title game, expectations will be high in Detroit given the core players which will be carried over in 2024. Reader is a high-profile addition to that group, and if healthy he will be a key contributor for the Lions over the course of his third NFL contract.

Lions Extend Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes

The Lions nearly turned Year 3 of their rebuilding effort into a Super Bowl LVIII berth, coming closer to reaching the NFL’s top stage than any previous Lions squad. As a result of the progress this operation has made, ownership will reinvest in the top decision-makers.

Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes signed extensions Thursday morning. These deals run through the 2027 season. Despite Campbell having three years remaining on the six-year contract he signed back in 2021, the Lions are rewarding the popular HC.

We are thrilled to have Brad and Dan under contract for the next four seasons,” Lions owner Sheila Hamp said. “They have been the driving force behind the rebuild of our football team and the success that we have enjoyed. The continuity they provide for our football program will continue to be the key to our future success on the field.”

The two power brokers have come a long way since arriving in 2021. Lions ownership did not inform Holmes of Matthew Stafford‘s trade request until he began work, but after executing a deal that brought back two first-round picks, the ex-Rams exec teamed with Campbell, 47, to design what can already be classified as a wildly successful rebuild blueprint. The Lions have progressed from an 0-10-1 start in 2021 to a three-point loss in the NFC title game two years later.

Holmes and Co. took a chance on Campbell, who traveled the rare route of skipping the coordinator tier to becoming a head coach. Although Campbell served as Dolphins interim HC for most of the 2015 season, he had settled back on the position coach level. The Lions liked the Saints tight ends coach enough to offer a six-year contract to begin this climb. While Campbell’s intro presser — the kneecaps reference mostly — was panned and his credentials received scrutiny, the former NFL tight end has proven skeptics wrong.

The Lions finished with 12 wins for just the second time in franchise history, and their two playoff wins snapped a 32-year drought. While Campbell’s fourth-down decisions invited criticism late in the season — particularly in the San Francisco loss — he has gained considerable respect during his time in Detroit. With a significant boost from OC Ben Johnson, Campbell and Holmes have elevated what had been one of the NFL’s most downtrodden franchises. Campbell’s alma mater (Texas A&M) attempted to gauge his interest in taking over in College Station recently; he shot that down quickly.

Holmes, 44, certainly deserves considerable credit given the state of the Lions upon his arrival. The former Rams college scouting director positioned the Lions for this unexpected rise by bringing in the player he once helped draft in Los Angeles — Jared Goff — and then adding Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown in his first draft. Aidan Hutchinson followed a year later, and the 2023 draft — which featured two picks in Rounds 1 and 2 thanks to the Stafford and T.J. Hockenson trades — brought promising young talent. The Jahmyr Gibbs pick brought criticism due to running back value, but the dual-threat talent played a major role in the Lions’ push to the NFC title round. So did second-rounders Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch.

Going against the conventional rebuilding route by keeping Goff at QB rather than drafting an heir apparent, Holmes has an interesting offseason ahead. The rejuvenated quarterback’s Rams-constructed contract expires after the 2024 season, as does St. Brown’s rookie deal. Extensions are on the docket. This will begin a new phase of Detroit’s project, but ownership is understandably quite pleased with the first steps and will give the two principal architects more time.

The Lions are also extending Chris Spielman, who has held a key role with the team since Holmes’ arrival. The former Pro Bowl Lions linebacker and FOX analyst works as a special assistant to the team’s president/CEO; he is believed to carry notable power within the organization, and the team is signing off on a multiyear extension.

Latest On Potential NFL Trade Deadline Change

It sounds like some NFL teams have made progress in their quest to push back the trade deadline. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, there were two recent bylaw proposals to move the trade deadline back from its current date of the Tuesday after Week 8.

[RELATED: Teams Proposing Pushing Trade Deadline From Week 8 To Week 10]

The Steelers proposed a bylaw that would see the deadline pushed back a week, which would make it the Tuesday after Week 9. The Browns, Lions, Jets, Eagles, and Commanders were looking to push it back even further, proposing the deadline fall on the Tuesday after Week 10.

The NFL moved the deadline to Week 8 back in 2012, but they didn’t make an adjustment when they added a week to their schedule in 2021. That’s led some GMs to propose pushing the deadline back and lining it up with other major sports’ trade deadlines.

While the hypothetical recently gained some traction, there were reportedly some GM and owners who questioned if the change even needed to be made. While Browns GM Andrew Berry previously expressed his belief that pushing the deadline would help improve the “competitive integrity” of the NFL, there was some fear that a deadline move could only incentivize tanking. Berry seemed to disagree with that notion, though, saying last month that a deadline change would only keep teams more competitive.

“We think as a league it makes sense to give teams the most flexibility as long as possible to have the best product down the stretch run of the playoffs,” Berry stated (h/t Spencer German of Browns Digest). “We wanted to make sure we maintained the competitive integrity of the season so you don’t get into player dumping late in the year.”

The next round of league meetings are set for March 24-27.

DT D.J. Reader To Meet With Lions

After missing the end of the 2023 season with a quad injury. D.J. Reader is starting to generate some interest in free agency. The veteran defensive tackle will be meeting with the Lions on Thursday, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.

Reader was completing a four-year, $53MM last season and appeared to be setting himself up nicely for his impending free agency. Through 14 games, the 29-year-old compiled 34 tackles and one sack while grading as Pro Football Focus’ 11th-best interior defender (among 130 qualifiers). However, a torn quad ended his season prematurely and put his free agency prospects in doubt.

The veteran tore his other quad in 2020, and while he managed to get into 15 games the following season, he was limited to only 10 contests in 2022. Injuries are now built into the defensive tackle’s profile, so Reader may be hard pressed to earn a long-term commitment.

Still, Reader would be a fit for a Lions squad that was reportedly in the market for help on the defensive line. Former third-round pick Alim McNeill has solidified himself as a starting nose tackle, but 36-year-old Tyson Alualu is currently penciled in next to him at defensive tackle. Reader would provide a high-upside option next to McNeill; even with the injuries, Reader hasn’t ranked lower than 12th on PFF’s positional rankings since 2019.

Thanks to that production, the Bengals are also hoping to retain the defensive lineman. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Bengals want to re-sign Reader, but the DT is expected to explore his options in free agency with a “few” suitors looming.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/12/24

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Lions To Sign CB Amik Robertson

Having already made one notable cornerback addition via trade, the Lions are set to add further to their secondary. Detroit has agreed to a two-year deal with Amik Robertson worth $9.25MM, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.

The four-year Raiders contributor will join Carlton Davis as outside additions coming in to help the Lions’ cornerback situation. Detroit has re-signed Emmanuel Moseley as well, rounding out a still-Cameron Sutton-led CB corps. Robertson is coming off a 12-start season.

Patrick Graham turned to Robertson as a starter more than the Jon Gruden-era Raiders DCs did; the 2020 fourth-round pick logged 19 starts over the past two seasons. The Louisiana Tech product has spent time in the slot and on the boundary in Las Vegas. The Lions have Brian Branch stationed in the slot, but with the 2023 second-round pick also bringing safety experience to the table, the Robertson addition — as the C.J. Gardner-Johnson pickup did last year — provides Aaron Glenn options.

At 5-foot-8, Robertson certainly has a slot frame. Starting only two games before Graham’s arrival, Robertson has also forced three turnovers in each of the past two seasons (after a 12-INT college career). He intercepted two passes during both the 2022 and ’23 campaigns, forcing a fumble in each season as well. Robertson allowed a career-low 87.4 passer rating as the closest defender in coverage last season. He fared better in Graham’s two years in this department, and considering both seasons featured more than 670 snaps, the numbers mean a bit more than early-career struggles as a seldom-used DB.

Gardner-Johnson has not committed anywhere yet, as the torn pec sustained early last season clouds his market. If the Lions do consider moving Branch to safety, they would have a potential slot option in Robertson. Though, that setup may not excite like a Branch-CJGJ duo would.

Bucs To Trade CB Carlton Davis To Lions

Mentioned as being interested in cornerback help, the Lions might not be the team that trades for L’Jarius Sneed. Detroit will, however, stay focused on the trade market to help out here.

The Lions are set to acquire Carlton Davis from the Buccaneers, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The Buccaneers will receive a 2024 third-round pick. In addition to Davis, they’ll send Detroit a 2024 and 2025 sixth-round selection, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine.

One season remains on Davis’ second Bucs contract, which he agreed to during the 2022 legal tampering period. Coming up recently as a trade chip, Davis will help out a Lions team that experienced injury- and performance-related issues in coverage last year.

Davis will bring plenty of starting experience to Detroit, with the former second-round pick having started 75 of his 76 regular-season games for Tampa. The defensive back hasn’t been able to make it through a full regular-season unscathed, although he has been on the field for nine postseason games over the past four seasons.

The 27-year-old got into 12 games this past year, finishing with 52 tackles and a pair of interceptions. He also compiled another 11 stops in two postseason games. Pro Football Focus ended up ranking Davis only 68th among 127 qualifying cornerbacks, although the site has never been particularly fond of his performance (Davis peaked as the 21st cornerback in 2021).

Davis inked a three-year, $45MM deal with the Buccaneers in 2022. He’ll count for about $14.3MM against the cap in 2024 before hitting free agency next winter.

Lions To Add Marcus Davenport

Marcus Davenport‘s hope a value-reestablishing season in Minnesota did not work out, with an injury impeding the former first-round pick. He will still land another shot with a familiar coaching presence.

The ex-Saint will rejoin Aaron Glenn in Detroit, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Glenn was on the Saints’ staff when the team drafted Davenport, though he coached New Orleans’ defensive backs. Nevertheless, Davenport will join fellow ex-Saint defender Alex Anzalone under Glenn in 2024.

Detroit is giving Davenport half of what he made last season in base value, as Rapoport notes this deal is worth $6.5MM. The contract can max out at $10.5MM.

The Vikings gave Davenport a one-year, $13MM deal, setting him up on a high-end “prove it” deal to work alongside Danielle Hunter. This preceded a Za’Darius Smith trade, but the Vikings did not benefit from the move. Davenport posted two sacks and suffered an ankle injury that became a season-ending malady. Davenport, 27, underwent surgery to repair his high ankle sprain and ended up playing only four games in 2023.

Davenport displayed quality rush capabilities in New Orleans, but he could not deliver such form consistently. He needed to settle for a “prove it” deal due to totaling just a half-sack in 15 Saints games in 2022. The ex-Cameron Jordan sidekick did total 15 sacks and 32 QB hits between the 2019 and ’21 seasons, keeping teams interested in his potential.

Despite Aidan Hutchinson leading the NFL in pressures and mounting a sack charge late in the season, the Lions did not have much around him. Their Okwara-based efforts did not pan out in recent years. Hutchinson finished with 11.5 sacks last season; no other Lions edge defender notched more than two. It should not be expected Davenport will be all the Lions do to staff this job, but the six-year veteran is the first piece of the puzzle.

Lions To Re-Sign G Graham Glasgow

Graham Glasgow‘s second Lions stint will not be a one-year endeavor. The veteran guard has agreed to a three-year, $20MM deal to remain in Detroit, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The pact includes $9.5MM in guaranteed money.

After playing out his rookie contract with Detroit, Glasgow landed a four-year, $44MM deal with the Broncos in 2020. He was released last offseason, however, paving the way for another free agent venture. That led the 31-year-old back to the Motor City on a one-year, $2.75MM pact. That low-cost addition proved to be critical from the team’s perspective.

Glasgow was initially brought back as a utility option along the interior, but injuries early in the season led to him seeing time at center as well as both guard positions. He ultimately locked down a spot as Detroit’s right guard starter, and he delivered a strong performance at that spot. The Michigan product graded out as PFF’s eighth-best guard in 2023, excelling in run blocking in particular.

He has now been rewarded with another multi-year pact, one which Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes came together last night. Glasgow will no doubt be expected to remain a first-team contributor on Detroit’s O-line moving forward, especially considering the departures which could be seen for the unit. Pro Bowl left guard Jonah Jackson‘s rookie contract is up, and he is positioned as one of the best interior lineman in the 2024 free agent class. If Jackson were to depart, Glasgow would offer welcomed stability along with the flexibility to replace him at the LG spot if needed.

The Lions entered Monday with over $45MM in cap space. That figure will drop to an extent once this Glasgow deal is finalized. Detroit will have plenty of spending power for other additions, but Jackson is one of several in-house contributors in need of a new contract or a lucrative extension. As the team looks to build off last season’s run to the NFC title game, though, stability along the O-line will be available with Glasgow still on the books.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/10/24

During a busy day of transactions and headlines, teams still had time for a few free agent tender decisions:

RFAs

Non-tendered:

ERFAs

Tendered:

Non-tendered:

While Stoll, one of Philadelphia’s top backup tight ends, is not being tendered by the Eagles, the team has reportedly not ruled out a return. Similarly, Cox, Gore, Harris, Arnold, and Sims will all join Bowden in free agency, though the door remains open for their returns, as well.