The Detroit Lions had a remarkable 2024 season, capturing the first seed in the NFC with an impressive 15-2 record. As we approach the beginning of the free agency period, general manager Brad Holmes has some decisions to make regarding some crucial players whose contracts are set to expire.
Detroit Lions’ Notable Free Agents
The Lions will not have to break the bank to re-sign anyone this offseason, but they do have many cheap contracts to pay out, depending on how many pending free agents they decide to bring back. But with just over $57 million in cap space, Holmes will have some options this offseason.
Could he go the safe route and focus on resigning most of the team and focus on big additions in the draft? Or could Holmes decide to let some players walk and make a splash in the free agent market?
Let’s take a look at Detroit’s 2025 free agents.
- Cornerback Carlton Davis III
- Right Guard Kevin Zeitler
- Defensive Lineman Levi Onwuzurike
- Edge Rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad
- Wide Receiver Tim Patrick
- Left Tackle Dan Skipper
- Edge Rusher Marcus Davenport
- Linebacker Derrick Barnes
- Linebacker Anthony Pittman
- Linebacker Ben Niemann
- Kicker Michael Badgley
- Wide Receiver Allen Robinson III
- Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
- Left Tackle Connor Galvin
- Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley
- Cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Runningback Craig Reynolds
- Defensive Lineman John Cominsky
- Defensive Lineman Jonah Williams
- Left Guard Kayode Awosika
- Defensive Lineman Kyle Peko
- Cornerback Khalil Dorsey
- Cornerback Kindle Vildor
- Edge Rusher Mitchell Agude
- Edge Rusher Pat O’Connor
- Left Guard Michael Niese
- Cornerback Morice Norris
- Right Guard Netane Muti
- Defensive Lineman Myles Adams
- Tight End Shane Zylstra
- Linebacker Trevor Nowaske
- Linebacker Zeke Turner
Detriot Lions 2025 Cap Space and Potential Targets
Holmes has done a fantastic job managing the Lions for the past four seasons, taking the team from a bottom feeder to Super Bowl contenders in a short period. Holmes will have $57,584,933 in cap space this offseason, more than enough to make some magic happen and to continue improving this already great roster.
Guys like Davis, Patrick, and Zeitler are most likely at the top of the list for Holmes to resign this offseason. These players played a ton of great football for the Lions and clearly became important to the team down the stretch.
Holmes will consider bringing back many of these free agents, given how important depth with familiar players is to a team trying to continuously make deep postseason runs. But if Holmes decides to make a splash in free agency, a few more guys than Holmes would like to lose will have to go.
Some potential free agents that Holmes could look into are big-name guys like Charvarius Ward, who talked openly about how he may not return to San Francisco, or Rasul Douglas from the Buffalo Bills. Either one would be an immediate improvement in the secondary, but that depends on how much they value the starting corner play of Amik Robertson.
Two more free agents who could be on Holmes’ radar are safety Justin Ried and edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo. Reid has become one of the best run-stopping safeties in the NFL and could leave the Chiefs for a better deal while Odeyingbo could look for an upgrade after a career year with the Colts.
Whether Holmes goes out and makes some noise or not this offseason, the Lions will almost certainly be a threat for the Lombardi trophy once again in the 2025 season.
