Lions Aiming To Have DL Levi Onwuzurike Healthy By Training Camp
The Lions have made a number of moves on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, but they could receive a boost if Levi Onwuzurike were able to return to the field. The defensive tackle is rehabbing a back injury which cost him the entire 2022 season. 
The 25-year-old entered the league with health concerns related to his back dating to his college career. He was nevertheless able to suit up for 16 games as a rookie, totaling 35 tackles and one sack along the way. Expectations were relatively high for the former second-rounder entering heading into 2023, but an aggravation of his existing issue in the summer forced him onto IR.
Unable to rehab the injury to the point where he would be able to play again that year, Onwuzurike underwent surgery in October. That procedure was aimed at giving him the best chance of recovering and extending his career in the long term, but doubts understandably persist with respect to his playing future. When head coach Dan Campbell spoke about the situation in April, he left it up in the air whether Onwuzurike would be able to continue his time in the NFL. His most recent remarks paint a more optimistic picture, though.
“I would say he’s probably about right on schedule for what we thought,” Campbell said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “He just got on the grass, really about a week ago, to where he can begin to run… how fast can his body come back? We don’t entirely have that answer.”
Campbell left the door open to Onwuzurike having a notable role if he were able to return to full health in 2023. The Lions did little to address their defensive front during free agency, releasing veteran Michael Brockers while retaining a number of less expensive in-house options. They spent one of their two third-round picks in this year’s draft on Brodric Martin, who will look to earn a role during training camp in July. That is also roughly the point at which Detroit is aiming to have Onwuzurike back in the fold.
“Certainly, we’re hoping that we get him in camp at some point,” Campbell added. “But I can’t give you a timeline of that right now.”
2023 NFL Cap Space, By Team
The start of June has served as a key NFL financial period for decades. While teams no longer have to wait until after June 1 to make that cost-splitting cut designation, teams pick up the savings from those transactions today. With a handful of teams making post-June 1 cuts this year, here is how each team’s cap space (courtesy of OverTheCap) looks as of Friday:
- Chicago Bears: $32.58MM
- Carolina Panthers: $27.25MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $26.68MM
- New York Jets: $24.79MM
- Detroit Lions: $23.72MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $23.39MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $20.48MM
- Houston Texans: $16.81MM
- Green Bay Packers: $16.57MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $15.73MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $14.92MM
- New Orleans Saints: $14.27MM
- New England Patriots: $14.12MM
- Miami Dolphins: $13.9MM
- Cleveland Browns: $13.86MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $13.85MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $12.61MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $12MM
- Washington Commanders: $11.57MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $11.54MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $10.72MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $10.7MM
- Denver Broncos: $10.13MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $9.75MM
- Tennessee Titans: $7.99MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $7.94MM
- New York Giants: $3.82MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $3.37MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $1.49MM
- Buffalo Bills: $1.4MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $653K
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $402K
The Dolphins gained the most from a post-June 1 cut (Byron Jones) this year, creating $13.6MM in cap space from a deal that will spread out the cornerback’s dead money through 2024. But the Browns (John Johnson, Jadeveon Clowney) and Cowboys (Ezekiel Elliott) created more than $10MM in space as well.
The Jets’ number is a bit deceiving. They are still working on a restructure with Aaron Rodgers, as the trade acquisition’s cap number — after a Packers restructure — sits at just $1.22MM. In 2024, that number skyrockets to $107.6MM. Rodgers’ cap hit will almost definitely will climb before Week 1, so viewing the Jets along with the other teams north of $20MM in space is not entirely accurate.
Minnesota is moving closer to separating from its $12.6MM-per-year Dalvin Cook contract. The team already created some space by trading Za’Darius Smith to the Browns. Cleveland, which is one of the teams connected to DeAndre Hopkins, added Smith and did so with help from its Deshaun Watson restructure. Watson was set to count $54.9MM against the Browns’ 2023 cap. That number is down to $19.1MM, though the Browns’ restructure both ballooned Watson’s mid-2020s cap figures to $63.9MM — which would shatter the NFL record — and added a 2027 void year.
Tampa Bay and Los Angeles sit atop the league in dead money, with the Bucs — largely from their April 2022 Tom Brady restructure — checking in at $75.3MM here. That total comprises nearly 33% of the Bucs’ 2023 cap sheet. The Rams, at more than $74MM, are not far behind. Despite the Bills and Chiefs — the teams most frequently tied to Hopkins — joining the Bucs and Rams near the bottom of the league in cap space, both AFC contenders also sit in the bottom five in dead money.
Each NFL Franchise’s Richest QB Contract
The quarterback market’s explosion represents one of the 2020s’ defining NFL developments. It took the market almost six years to climb from $20MM per year to $30MM per year at the position. From July 2020 to September 2024, the market surged from $35MM to $60MM per annum.
On that note, here is the richest quarterback contract — by total guaranteed money — each team has authorized. Only teams’ extensions or free agency agreements will qualify here, with traded contracts and draft pick accords excluded.
Arizona Cardinals
- Kyler Murray; July 21, 2022. Five years, $230.5MM ($159.8MMM guaranteed, $103.3MM fully guaranteed)
Atlanta Falcons
- Kirk Cousins; March 12, 2024. Four years, $180MM ($100MM guaranteed, $90MM fully guaranteed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Lamar Jackson; May 4, 2023. Five years, $260MM ($185MM guaranteed, $135MM fully guaranteed)
Buffalo Bills
- Josh Allen; March 9, 2025. Six years, $330MM ($250MM guaranteed, $147MM fully guaranteed)
Carolina Panthers
- Cam Newton; June 2, 2015. Five years, $103.8MM ($60MM guaranteed, $41MM fully guaranteed)
Chicago Bears
- Jay Cutler; January 2, 2014. Seven years, $126.7MM ($54MM guaranteed, $38MM fully guaranteed)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Joe Burrow; September 9, 2023. Five years, $275MM ($219MM guaranteed, $146.51MM fully guaranteed)
Cleveland Browns
- Deshaun Watson; March 18, 2022. Five years, $230MM fully guaranteed
Dallas Cowboys
- Dak Prescott; September 8, 2024. Four years, $240MM ($231MM guaranteed, $129MM fully guaranteed)
Denver Broncos
- Russell Wilson; September 1, 2022. Five years, $242.59MM ($161MM guaranteed, $124MM fully guaranteed)
Detroit Lions
- Jared Goff; May 13, 2024. Four years, $212MM (170.61MM guaranteed, $113.61MM fully guaranteed)
Green Bay Packers
- Jordan Love; July 26, 2024. Four years, $220MM ($160.3MM guaranteed, $100.8MM fully guaranteed)
Houston Texans
- Deshaun Watson; September 5, 2020. Four years, $156MM ($110.72MM guaranteed, $73.7MM fully guaranteed)
Indianapolis Colts
- Andrew Luck; June 29, 2016. Five years, $122.97MM ($87MM guaranteed, $44MM fully guaranteed)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Trevor Lawrence; June 14, 2024. Five years, $275MM ($200MM guaranteed, $142MM fully guaranteed)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Patrick Mahomes; July 6, 2020. Ten years, $450MM ($141MM guaranteed, $63.1MM fully guaranteed)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Derek Carr; June 23, 2017. Five years, $125MM ($70.2MM guaranteed, $40MM fully guaranteed)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Justin Herbert; July 25, 2023. Five years, $262.5MM ($193.74MM guaranteed, $133.74MM fully guaranteed)
Los Angeles Rams
- Matthew Stafford; March 19, 2022. Four years, $160MM ($130MM guaranteed, $63MM fully guaranteed)
Miami Dolphins
- Tua Tagovailoa; July 26, 2024. Four years, $212.4MM ($167.17MM guaranteed, $93.17MM fully guaranteed)
Minnesota Vikings
- Kirk Cousins; March 15, 2018. Three years, $84MM fully guaranteed
New England Patriots
- Tom Brady; February 25, 2013. Three years, $41MM ($33MM fully guaranteed)
New Orleans Saints
- Derek Carr; March 6, 2023. Four years, $150MM ($100MM guaranteed, $60MM fully guaranteed)
New York Giants
- Daniel Jones; March 7, 2023. Four years, $160MM ($92MM guaranteed, $81MM fully guaranteed)
New York Jets
- Justin Fields; March 10, 2025. Two years, $40MM ($30MM fully guaranteed)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Jalen Hurts; April 17, 2023. Five years, $255MM ($179.3MM guaranteed, $110MM fully guaranteed)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ben Roethlisberger; April 24, 2019. Two years, $68MM ($37.5MM fully guaranteed)
San Francisco 49ers
- Brock Purdy; May 18, 2025. Five years, $265MM ($182.55MM guaranteed, $100MM fully guaranteed)
Seattle Seahawks
- Russell Wilson; April 16, 2019. Four years, $140MM ($107MM guaranteed, $70MM fully guaranteed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tom Brady, March 20, 2020. Two years, $50MM fully guaranteed
Tennessee Titans
- Ryan Tannehill; March 15, 2020. Four years, $118MM ($91MM guaranteed, $62MM fully guaranteed)
Washington Commanders
- Alex Smith; January 30, 2018. Four years, $94MM ($71MM guaranteed, $54MM fully guaranteed)
Lions S Tracy Walker Eyeing Training Camp Return
One of the early developments so far from Lions OTAs has been the sight of Tracy Walker with the team. The veteran safety is taking part in on-field work during his ongoing recovery from an Achilles tear. 
“It feels great to be back,” Walker said, via Tim Twentyman of the team’s website. “I can’t hide the emotions, you know? It’s a blessing. I’m very excited. Honestly, I missed it. It’s hard to explain. It was cool I got time to spend at home with my family but at the end of the day I missed ball.”
The 28-year-old went down with the Achilles injury in Week 3, which marked a major blow to the Lions’ secondary. Walker had led the team in tackles early in the campaign, as he did the previous season. 2021 marked the second time in which he eclipsed 100 tackles, and he added one interception and six pass deflections, confirming his status as a key member of the team’s defense. Two years remain on his current contract, a $25MM extension signed last March.
In Walker’s absence, Detroit struggled mightily on that side of the ball for much of the season, one in which a late playoff push fell just short. If the former third-rounder can return to form, though, he should be counted on to play a signficant role alongside Kerby Joseph, who saw a large uptick in usage as a rookie with Walker sidelined last season.
Walker indicated that he expects to return in full during training camp in July, barring any setbacks. Presuming he is healed by that point, he will join Joseph, free agent addition C.J. Gardner-Johnson and second-round rookie Brian Branch as a contributor on the backend facing considerable expectations. Improved play on defense would go a long way towards Detroit securing a postseason berth in 2023, and a healthy Walker could play a large role in achieving that goal.
DB Notes: Lions, Joseph, Oliver, Cardinals
A scary scene transpired during the Lions‘ Week 5 matchup with the Patriots. An ambulance transported Saivion Smith off the field, and the Lions defensive back said he feared paralysis following a collision with Patriots running back Damien Harris. Smith left the game after the next play, after falling to the turf after a routine tackle attempt on Hunter Henry. The backup DB, however, said (via the Detroit Free Press’ Jeff Seidel) he made a failed attempt to return to the stadium from the ambulance and regained arm and leg movement at the hospital. The neck injury he suffered ended up requiring spinal fusion surgery.
Smith received full Lions clearance in April, re-signing with the team that month. The 25-year-old cover man’s deal is worth $940K and contains no guaranteed money, giving the Lions — who overhauled their secondary this offseason — flexibility to move on free of charge. The Lions moved Smith to safety last season, but he offers versatility. With the Lions adding two other DBs with extensive backgrounds at both safety and corner — C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Brian Branch — Smith stands to compete for a backup role.
Here is the latest news from NFL secondaries:
- After years of shuttling Jimmie Ward between safety and the nickel role, the 49ers let the veteran defender walk (to the Texans) this offseason. They will use free agency addition Isaiah Oliver to replace Ward in the slot, per new DC Steve Wilks. “When [another Ward deal] didn’t happen, we wanted to make sure that we sort of got the best nickel in free agency, and that’s what we went out and did,” Wilks said, via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows (subscription required). “So I’m excited about Oliver. He’s long; he’s physical, can tackle, can cover. He’s going to be a good blitzer for us, everything that we do within this defense.” A former second-round pick, Oliver spent the past five seasons with the Falcons. The 210-pound defender is ticketed to work alongside outside corners Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir.
- Kelvin Joseph may be in the Cowboys‘ nickel plans. After acquiring Stephon Gilmore via trade, the Cowboys are trying Joseph in the slot at OTAs, Jon Machota of The Athletic notes. The former second-round pick has worked as an outside corner over his first two seasons, though he has only played 330 career defensive snaps. The Cowboys lost both Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown to season-ending injuries last year. While Lewis remains on the roster, Brown, a longtime slot player, is unsigned.
- Third-round Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams received slightly more than the rookie-scale minimum to sign, per GOPHNX.com’s Howard Balzer, who notes the bumps come in Years 2-4 of his contract (Twitter link). This year’s No. 72 overall pick will earn between $1MM and $1.5MM from 2024-26. Third-rounders’ four-year deals are only partially guaranteed. Williams, a Syracuse alum, received a $1.1MM guarantee.
- The Panthers brought back safety Sam Franklin earlier this offseason, tendering him as an RFA. But the fourth-year defender agreed to sign for slightly less than the low-end tender price. Rather than signing for $2.627MM (the tender number), Franklin is back in Carolina on a one-year, $2.51MM deal, Balzer adds (on Twitter). The Panthers gave the 27-year-old DB a $1.5MM signing bonus, which is spread through 2027 via void years. Franklin has been a core special-teamer in Carolina while working as a defensive backup.
Lions OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai Contemplated Retirement
The Lions’ offensive line figures to receive a considerable boost in 2023 with Halapoulivaati Vaitai back in the fold. The veteran guard was initially unsure of whether he wished to continue playing after missing the entire 2022 campaign, but this offseason convinced him to return to the field. 
[RELATED: Lions Sign OL Germain Ifedi]
Vaitai underwent back surgery in September, and he was unable to recover in time to occupy his starting right guard role for the Lions. Detroit was pegged to have one of the league’s top offensive fronts heading into the season, but his absence weakened the unit and left his playing future in doubt. The 29-year-old remains unsure of the exact details of the procedure he had, but the recovery process has been encouraging from a short- and long-term view.
“After surgery, I was like, ‘Let me just rest. Let me just enjoy this time,” Vaitai said, via Justin Rogers of the Detroit News. “And then when I started training again, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m not ready to retire yet.”
The former Eagles fifth-rounder started all 25 appearances he made in Detroit across the 2020 and ’21 campaigns. A resumption of his first-team duties would come as little surprise if he showcases his health during the offseason. However, the Lions have made a few depth additions to their line to guard against Vaitai’s uncertain status moving forward. That includes a reunion with Graham Glasgow; the latter could compete for playing time at the RG spot on what is an otherwise intact unit.
Vaitai initially had two years remaining on his contract, but he agreed to remove 2024 from his pact in addition to taking a signficant pay cut. That move could give the Lions a cost-effective contributor up front if the TCU alum can return to his previous form. Especially if that turns out to be the case, Vaitai could use his rebound campaign to earn himself a notable deal on the open market next offseason to continue his career further, either from the Lions or another team.
NFL’s Gambling Investigation Into Lions Continues
Three of the four Lions hit with gambling suspensions in April are no longer on the roster. The team waived wide receivers Quintez Cephus and Stanley Berryhill and released special-teamer C.J. Moore, who re-signed in March. But the Lions’ gambling issue is not entirely in the rearview mirror, it appears.
The NFL is investigating a fifth Lions player for a potential violation of the league’s gambling policy, Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic reports (subscription required). The league has not yet interviewed the unknown player, but seeing as the Lions have cut three players and fired multiple staffers for violations of the policy, it is safe to say this is a widespread issue within the NFC North franchise.
The one player remaining on the roster after a gambling ban, Jameson Williams, said he was not aware he was breaking an NFL rule by placing a bet on a non-NFL game at a Lions facility. Williams and Berryhill incurred six-game suspensions for making bets on non-NFL games while at the Lions’ facility (or while with the team on the road), Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. Cephus, Moore and Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney received indefinite suspensions, which will cover at least one full season, for betting on NFL games.
“It hit me out of the blue, and it hit a couple other players around the league and on my team out of the blue,” Williams said, via Birkett. “I wasn’t aware of this situation, but as it happened, like I said, I took it on the chin, I was ready to move forward as things moved on and I got the consequences, so that’s been my whole plan moving forward from things and just looking at the better days.”
In addition to a potential fifth Lions player being suspended, ESPN.com’s David Perdum reports the NFL is conducting an investigation into more gambling violations. Since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that opened the doors for sports betting outside of its traditional hubs (primarily Nevada), 33 states and Washington D.C. have opened legal betting markets. Once a beneath-the-surface topic in the NFL, wagering on games and players (via daily fantasy sites) is now regularly promoted. The NFL has partnered with three sportsbooks in recent years.
In the time since the Supreme Court’s ruling, seven players have been popped for gambling policy violations. Defensive back Josh Shaw and wideout Calvin Ridley served indefinite suspensions, with Ridley being recently reinstated. Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin also received a gambling ban. Following the April bans, the NFLPA sent an email to agents reminding of the league’s policy preventing bets on mobile apps while at team facilities, Perdum adds.
As for the Lions, they will be without Williams — last year’s No. 12 overall pick who missed most of his rookie season due to ACL rehab — for six games and may soon see another player suspended. This issue has affected Detroit most, and cleanup measures regarding NFL policy comprehension and messaging has almost definitely taken place there. But the NFL investigation could soon see more teams impacted on this front.
Jaguars Trade K Riley Patterson To Lions
The Lions’ decision to cut Riley Patterson led him to Jacksonville in August 2022. Nearly a year later, Detroit will step in to prevent Patterson hitting the waiver wire.
After the Jaguars announced they were cutting Patterson — complete with the customary farewell tweet — they have reached an agreement to trade him to the Lions. Patterson kicked in seven Lions games during the 2021 season. The Jags replaced Patterson with longtime Bronco Brandon McManus earlier Thursday.
Patterson provided the Jaguars with some rare kicker stability last season, kicking in all 19 games for the team after seven kickers came through from 2020-21. McManus obviously provides Jacksonville with much more experience, but the team will still collect an asset for its 2022 kicker. The Lions are sending the Jags a late-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. That asset will be a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
The Lions initially added Patterson off the Patriots’ practice squad in November 2021. The former UDFA out of Memphis then finished that season as Detroit’s primary kicker. Patterson made 13 of 14 field goals for the Lions that year, but the team waived him coming out of the preseason. In Jacksonville, Patterson made 30 of 35 field goal tries during the regular season and missed just one extra point (36-for-37). He also notched a game-winning field goal to complete a 27-point Jags comeback win over the Chargers in the wild-card round.
Patterson, 23, is due a $940K base salary this season. He can be retained via RFA tender next year. The Jags tendered Patterson as an ERFA in March, but the Broncos’ decision to cut McManus — in part due to cap savings, as they designated him a post-June 1 release — changed the AFC South team’s plans. It will impact the Lions’ path at kicker as well.
In signing XFLer John Parker Romo last week, the Lions already roster two kickers. They finished last season with Michael Badgley in that role. Badgley kicked in 12 games for the Lions last season and re-signed with the team in March. Badgley is tied to a one-year, $1.2MM deal. The Lions guaranteed their incumbent just $350K, opening the door to a kicking competition. Badgley made 20 of his 24 kicks as a Lion last year; both he and Patterson went 2-for-3 from beyond 50 yards.
This trade allowed Detroit to avoid losing Patterson via the waiver wire; the Lions’ 9-8 finish gave them the No. 18 spot in the waiver order. The Lions waived wide receiver Keytaon Thompson to make room for Patterson on the Roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/24/23
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Waived (injury settlement): T Hunter Thedford
Detroit Lions
- Waived: LB Isaac Darkangelo
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: G Harris LaChance
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Jerome Kapp
Kapp will catch on with the Jets following a run at the team’s rookie minicamp. He will attempt to make the jump from the Division II level (Kutztown University). The D-II team relied on Kapp through the air last season; he was the squad’s only player to record more than 250 receiving yards. Kapp finished with 916 (19.5 per catch) and nine touchdowns as a senior.
Lions To Add OL Germain Ifedi
The Lions are adding another offensive line depth piece. They are signing veteran Germain Ifedi, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The Falcons released Ifedi last week.
Despite re-signing with Atlanta earlier this offseason, Ifedi received his walking papers shortly after the draft. The former first-round pick will return to the NFC North, doing so during an offseason in which the Lions already added one of their former starters — Graham Glasgow — to the mix.
While Glasgow is an interior lineman, Ifedi has worked mostly at right tackle during his time as a pro. The Lions have Penei Sewell entrenched at that position. Ifedi, 29 next month, has also seen some time at guard as a pro. He will likely compete for a swing role for the Lions, who return most of their starting offensive line from last season.
Ifedi previously spent two seasons, the 2020 and ’21 campaigns, in the division as a member of the Bears. The seven-year veteran started at both guard and right tackle in Chicago during that span. For his career, the Texas A&M product has made 83 starts. Though, none of those came last season. Ifedi suited up for all 17 Falcons games but did not start any. The team enjoyed good health at tackle in 2022 and re-signed right-sider Kaleb McGary this offseason.
Upon drafting Ifedi 31st overall in 2016, the Seahawks made him a fixture at right tackle during the late 2010s. While Ifedi never emerged as an upper-echelon performer at that position, he has been a starter for four playoff teams (three in Seattle, one in Chicago. Pro Football Focus graded Ifedi as a top-40 tackle during his 2020 season in Chicago, his last as a full-season starter, but has not slotted him inside the top 60 in any other year.
The Lions return Sewell, Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow and Jonah Jackson from their starting O-line. Multiyear sub Evan Brown signed with the Seahawks, but the Lions are hoping to have Halapoulivaati Vaitai back after a lost 2022 season due to injury. Glasgow represents competition for the veteran guard, who agreed to a reduced contract this offseason. Ifedi will offer Detroit a backup option at both tackle and guard.