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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions To Let Graham Glasgow Walk?

March 10th, 2020 at 2:43pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

It looks like the Lions are going to be making a significant change to their offensive line. Guard Graham Glasgow doesn’t expect to be back in Detroit next season and it appears the team is going to let him walk in free agency, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. 

“I’m bummed that I’m not able to stay cause I love Michigan and I love the Detroit area,” Glasgow told Birkett. “But you don’t play football forever, so I think that being able to go somewhere else and make some money is an exciting thing,” he added. Birkett notes that he spent five years in college at Michigan and then the first four years of his pro career in Detroit, so he has deep ties to the area. Glasgow said he hadn’t “really heard too much from the Lions,” so it sounds like they didn’t even make an effort to keep him.

The Lions drafted him in the third-round back in 2016, and he became a near-instant starter. He’s been a consistent presence on the offensive line, starting at least 15 games in each of the past three seasons. His versatility will help him on the open market, as he spent 2018 at center before moving to right guard last year.

Glasgow received very strong marks from Pro Football Focus last year, and Birkett writes that the Lions’ “decision to let him walk is largely financially motivated.” Glasgow is going to land a big contract, and Detroit doesn’t want to pay up. Birkett clearly isn’t a fan of the decision, writing that it’s “baffling” and a “head-scratcher” for a team that has had inconsistent offensive line play to let him move on.

He should receive a good amount of interest when the tampering period opens up next week, and we’ve already got word of at least one potential suitor. The Jets are one of a handful of teams to keep an eye on in regard to Glasgow, Sirius XM NFL reporter Adam Caplan tweets. The Jets have already been linked to some other high profile offensive linemen, so their interest certainly isn’t surprising.

Jeff Driskel Expected To Have Strong Market

March 8th, 2020 at 3:57pm CST by Marc Delucchi

Lions backup quarterback Jeff Driskel is expected to have a “plump” free-agent market for his services, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Birkett notes that as the NFL becomes more open to dual-threat quarterbacks, Driskel’s skill set has become more desirable to NFL teams.

The former Florida quarterback appears well-positioned to secure a backup job after vagabonding around the league since the 49ers selected him in the 6th round of the 2016 NFL Draft. After failing to make the 49ers 53-man roster, the Bengals claimed him off waivers and he served as depth in Cincinnati behind Andy Dalton and A.J. McCarron.

Following the 2017 season, McCarron signed with the Bills and Dalton became the primary backup behind Dalton. In 2018, Driskel began contributing in sub-packages where the team utilized his athleticism. An injury to Dalton allowed Driskel to make five starts as well. He finished the season completing 105 of 176 passes for 1003 yards, 6 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, with 130 rushing yards on 30 carries.

Last season, with the Lions, Driskel was the first to step in for Matthew Stafford after his injury. He made three starts before a hamstring injury of his own ended his season. He completed 62 of 105 passes for 685 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions with 151 rushing yards on 22 attempts.

Lions’ Tavon Wilson Would Be “Happy” To Return

March 8th, 2020 at 11:28am CST by Zachary Links

Lions safety Tavon Wilson would be “happy coming back to Detroit” (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein). Still, he says he’s excited to going through the free agent process and survey his options. 

Wilson, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on March 19, is coming off of one of the best seasons of his NFL career, so he’ll want to hear what other clubs have to offer him. In 2019, Wilson started in 13 games and notched 98 stops, five passes defensed, two fumbled recoveries, and one sack. The advanced metrics were also fond of his work. He graded out as the No. 26 ranked qualified safety in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus, with a 71.8 overall score. That figure was his best showing since 2016, his first campaign with the Lions.

As Rothstein notes, Wilson is a good fit for Matt Patricia‘s scheme, so the Lions would ideally like to hang on to him. Meanwhile, they’ve got other areas of need to address – with mystery surrounding Darius Slay‘s status, the Lions could embark on a cornerback search including players like longtime Broncos star Chris Harris or Cowboys CB Byron Jones.

On the other side of the ball, the Lions recently re-upped veteran receiver Danny Amendola.

FA Notes: Clowney, Harris, Hooper, Saints

March 2nd, 2020 at 4:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jadeveon Clowney has drawn interest from other teams — the Colts and Giants among them — but the Seahawks remain interested in bringing him back. However, they may not be ready to pay top dollar for the former No. 1 overall pick. The Seahawks are trying to extend Clowney before he hits free agency March 18, but Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com report the franchise is unlikely to compete with a true top-market price (ESPN+ link). If the bidding goes into the $18-$20MM-per-year range, which it almost certainly will given other teams’ franchise tags keeping edge players off the market, the Seahawks are not expected to go there. This would mean the Seahawks will have lost two standout edge rushers in two years, after trading Frank Clark to the Chiefs. Seattle, which did not see much from first-round defensive end L.J. Collier last season, is set to carry more than $44MM in cap space.

Both the Colts and Titans are interested and are not afraid of Clowney’s asking price, per Fowler and Graziano. A new entry in the Clowney sweepstakes, Tennessee could use edge help but seemingly has key issues to sort out involving Ryan Tannehill (or a replacement) and Derrick Henry first.

Here is the latest from the free agency market, shifting to one of this era’s top cornerbacks:

  • Chris Harris appears set to have a busy legal tampering period. The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback has drawn interest from the Cowboys, Jets, Lions, Raiders and Texans, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. The final holdover from the Broncos’ dominant Super Bowl-winning secondary, Harris both expressed a desire to finish his career in Denver and hit the market for the first time. While the Broncos have not ruled out another extension for the 30-year-old cornerback, Harris expects to be elsewhere in 2020. Harris met with at least 24 teams at the Combine, including the Cowboys, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). A Cowboys fit would be interesting, with the team set to lose Byron Jones. The Broncos are one of the teams targeting Jones.
  • In Demario Davis, the Saints already have a 30-something entrenched as a starting linebacker. However, New Orleans is interested in Patriots free agent Jamie Collins, Larry Holder of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Collins, 30, enjoyed a bounce-back season back in New England, after he did not justify his then-off-ball-‘backer-record deal in Cleveland. The Saints have A.J. Klein as a free agent-to-be and can save $8MM by releasing Kiko Alonso.
  • While the Saints were willing to let Kenny Vaccaro walk two years ago, they want to retain Vonn Bell, Holder adds. It would be at a price, however. Considering the Saints added promising safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in the fourth round last year and have Marcus Williams as an extension candidate, their Bell price point may be low.
  • The tight end landscape could look strange by the time George Kittle‘s negotiations ramp up. Austin Hooper is expected to become the league’s highest-paid tight end — by a considerable margin — in free agency, Graziano and Fowler note. A 2016 third-round pick, Hooper has made the Pro Bowl twice but has only one 700-yard season on his resume. However, the Falcons tight end was on pace for nearly 1,000 yards before a midseason hamstring injury. The Falcons will let Hooper test the market, and with this draft not deep at tight end, the market will likely be robust. The Bears, Packers and Redskins are interested.
  • Phillip Lindsay has exploded out of the blocks to start his career, becoming the first UDFA to start his NFL run with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. But backfield mate Royce Freeman, a Broncos 2018 third-round pick, has underwhelmed. The Broncos may be eyeing an upgrade, with Mike Klis of 9News tweeting the team is exploring veteran backs on the market. With teams potentially skittish about big deals for backs, after some recent ones backfired, some bigger-name backs may be available at reasonable rates.

Broncos, Eagles, Lions In Play For Byron Jones

March 2nd, 2020 at 1:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys prioritizing Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper over Byron Jones will soon make the cornerback quite the coveted commodity on the market. More potential destinations have emerged.

After the Raiders’ reported interest, Jones will be in the mix for another AFC West team. The Broncos are expected to make a run at Jones, per Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post, with Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com noting (ESPN+ link) that the Eagles and Lions join the Broncos as “strong possibilities” for Jones.

Denver outflanks both Detroit and Philadelphia in cap space, sitting in the top 10 at $70MM-plus, and has a major need at corner. Four-time Pro Bowler Chris Harris is a free agent-to-be, and the odds currently lean toward the final holdover from Denver’s Super Bowl champion secondary leaving after nine seasons. The Broncos are a rumored Darius Slay suitor, with Fowler and Graziano adding the team wants to make a strong effort to improve at corner. Beyond Harris, the Broncos struggled throughout 2019 to find capable outside cover men.

Detroit and Philly hold $47MM and $41MM in cap space, respectively. The Lions have far more invested at corner, with Slay in a contract year and Justin Coleman attached to a $9MM-AAV deal. The Eagles have barely $6MM committed to the position in total, with Ronald Darby on track for free agency.

The bidding for Jones will likely escalate to the point the 27-year-old defender exits free agency as the league’s highest-paid corner — perhaps by a substantial margin. The cornerback market has barely budged over the past half-decade; Xavien Howard‘s $15.1MM extension barely topped Josh Norman‘s 2016 deal. Jones, however, is viewed as this market’s top corner, and a deal north of $17MM annually would not be surprising.

QB Rumors: Stafford, Dalton, Saints

March 1st, 2020 at 9:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

A rumor surfaced recently indicating the Lions discussed a Matthew Stafford trade. GM Bob Quinn denied this, and multiple key parties were quick to state the 11-year veteran quarterback does not want to leave Detroit. Stafford’s agent, Tom Condon, informed NFL.com’s Michael Silver his client does not want a trade (Twitter link). The quarterback’s wife, Kelly Stafford, shared on her Instagram (Twitter links via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett) they are not angling for a new NFL city. Matthew Stafford, 32, is under contract for three more seasons.

Here is the latest from the quarterback realm, moving to a passer who very much is available for trade:

  • Despite the Saints set to start a 41-year-old Drew Brees and apply a high tender to intriguing gadget player/backup Taysom Hill, they may not be prepared to draft a passer this year. Although some mock drafts have the Saints taking Utah State’s Jordan Love, Larry Holder of The Athletic notes (subscription required) the Saints do not appear to be interested. The Saints hold the No. 24 pick in the draft, and it might now be a surprise to see Love still on the board at that point.
  • Brees-Hill 2020 looks like the Saints’ plan. Combine buzz centered around Bridgewater’s next team, with Holder speaking to no NFL decision-maker who expected Brees’ backup of the past two years to return. Sean Payton said it would be unrealistic for the Saints to bring back all three, and Bridgewater is expected to receive interest as a starter in free agency. The Bears, Buccaneers, Chargers, Panthers and Patriots may possess some interest, Holder hears. Though, unlike Tom Brady and Philip Rivers, no team has been connected to Bridgewater yet.
  • Like Brady and Rivers, Andy Dalton has also been connected to a team. The Bears discussed a trade with the Bengals but may have to battle other teams for the nine-year veteran starter. Dalton’s agent has been working with the Bengals on potential Dalton deals, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com names the Colts and Patriots — in addition to the Bears — as teams who could potentially have interest in the contract-year passer (video link). The Colts have been connected to Rivers at multiple junctures this week, while some around the league have indeed viewed New England as a landing spot for Dalton if Brady does decide to defect in free agency. Cincinnati and New England have made multiple trades involving high-profile Bengals, and the same two decision-makers — Mike Brown and Bill Belichick — remain in place from when Corey Dillon and Chad Johnson were dealt to New England in 2004 and 2011, respectively.

Danny Amendola Re-Signs With Lions

February 26th, 2020 at 12:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Danny Amendola will be sticking around Detroit. FOX Sports’ Peter Schrager reports (via Twitter) that the veteran wideout is re-signing with the Lions. It’ll be a one-year deal.

Amendola was released by the Dolphins last March, and he ended up inking a one-year, $4.5MM deal with the Lions. The 34-year-old ultimately put up some of the best numbers of his career, hauling in 62 receptions for 678 receiving yards and one touchdown. He also continued to contribute on special teams, returning 10 punts.

The new one-year deal is worth $5MM with $4.5MM guaranteed, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). He can max out at $6MM with incentives and he’ll cash in at around ~$5.5MM if he matches last year’s work.

In parts of 11 seasons, Amendola has spent time with the Rams, Patriots, Dolphins, and Lions. He earned a pair of Super Bowl rings during his time in New England.

With Amendola back in the fold, Matthew Stafford will be plenty familiar with his targets next season. Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones will continue to lead the depth chart in 2020.

Lions: Everything On Table For Darius Slay

February 25th, 2020 at 12:34pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have had “good conversations” with Darius Slay‘s camp, but their saga is far from settled. When speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Lions GM Bob Quinn explained that all scenarios are being considered when it comes to the cornerback. 

“[We’re] trying to explore a trade. That’s not saying we are definitely trading him,” Quinn said (Twitter link via Chris Burke of The Athletic). “We’re very much in the information-gathering phase of this.”

Quinn noted that a trade isn’t an automatic if a contract extension can’t be reached. Slay still has one more year to go on his four-year, $48MM deal, so the Lions could simply allow him to play out 2020. Still, Slay is slated to earn just $10MM in 2020 and it doesn’t seem like he’d be a happy camper under those terms. Given his performance, Slay is probably looking for something around the $15MM/year mark.

If the Lions aren’t willing to pay that price, many other teams will be. And, in recent days, several players from rival teams have taken to social media to try and court the Pro Bowler. That includes Rams standout Jalen Ramsey (Twitter link), who is daydreaming about forming one of the NFL’s most intimidating secondary duos. Meanwhile, Slay is taking a laissez-faire approach to all of the rumors.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Slay told ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein recently. “I’m here to play ball.”

“It’s a business so it should be looked at as a business aspect of it. If it was up to me, I would love to be here my whole career,” Slay continued. “But one thing about a lot of stuff that comes, first is my family so I’ll do what’s best for my family, for them first and put my family in great position to never have to want for nothing. So that’s my goal, and if that’s being here, I’m here. If it ain’t, then I ain’t.”

Latest On Lions, No. 3 Overall Pick

February 22nd, 2020 at 10:05am CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Lions general manager Bob Quinn is ready to take some calls on #3. In a conversation with Tori Petry of the team website (and via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com), the executive hinted that the team will likely hear offers for the third-overall selection. Of course, Quinn cautioned that the team’s yet to talk trade.

“The higher you are up in the draft, really the sooner the conversations begin,” Quinn said. “I have not had any trade conversations with anybody as of yet. Those usually tend to start in the combine in the hallway that we kind of roll through, and we’ll see how that goes.”

As Williams notes, the Lions are in a logical position to trade back. It sounds like the organization is fully committed to quarterback Matthew Stafford. As a result, Detroit won’t have any need for the likes of Tua Tagovailoa nor Justin Herbert (assuming the QBs are still on the board at #3).

In that case, Quinn could easily make a trade with a QB-needy team. Williams suggests the Dolphins (#5), Chargers (#6), and Panthers (#7) as potential trade partners.

Latest On Lions’ Darius Slay

February 21st, 2020 at 1:02pm CST by Zachary Links

Darius Slay‘s future in Detroit is still less-than-certain, but there’s cause for at least a little bit of hope. Lions GM Bob Quinn says he’s having “good conversations” with the cornerback’s agent (Twitter link via Tori Petry of the team website). 

“Nothing’s really past the finish line yet,” Quinn continued. “But we’re hoping to get a few things done here in the next week or so.”

Earlier this week, the Lions opened up the phone lines to discuss trades involving the Pro Bowler. Multiple teams have interest – it’s not clear which teams have been in talks with the Lions, though the Eagles and Broncos are both probable suitors. According to one source who spoke with Ryan O’Halloran of The Denver Post, it might take a second- or third-round pick (not to mention a whopping new deal) for the Broncos to pry him away. Slay, who has been at odds with the team in the past, reportedly wouldn’t mind a fresh start.

Slay has one year to go on his four-year, $48MM deal with Detroit.Thanks to Slay’s front-loading, he’s slated to earn just $10MM in 2020. On his next deal, he could command approximately $15MM per year; the Lions are concerned about concentrating too much of their capital with the 29-year-old, but plenty of other clubs would be willing to hit that mark.

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