On Thursday, we discussed the Detroit Lions’ best free agent signings last year. The majority of the answers involved either defensive tackle Roy Lopez or cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Both of those signings were the exact kind of moves that can define a winning offseason. Both players signed for relatively cheap contracts, but provided strong play when called upon. Oftentimes, we declare winners based on who spends the most money or makes the biggest splashes, but those savvy signings can truly propel a franchise into success.
Unfortunately for the Lions, Lopez and Ya-Sin weren’t enough to carry the team to the playoffs. Instead, there were other roster moves Detroit likely regrets, and certainly there were moves that weren’t made that the Lions would likely have made in retrospect.
For now, let’s just talk about the moves that didn’t work out. Today’s Question of the Day is:
What was the Lions’ worst free agent signing of 2025?
My answer: As a reminder, you can view all of the Lions’ free agent signings right here with our 2025 offseason tracker.
While there isn’t anything completely egregious here, the answer almost has to be the D.J. Reed signing by default.
To be clear, I think Reed is a good player, and I’m optimistic about how he’ll play in 2026. But after one injury-filled season and a rough finish to the year, Reed’s three-year, $48 million contract doesn’t look the greatest. It’s not necessarily anyone’s fault, but it just hasn’t paid off yet. It doesn’t help that Carlton Davis—the player who Reed replaced—had a very strong season with the Patriots, finishing 18th in the NFL in PFF grade (74.0).
If the question was open to moves the Lions didn’t make, you could certainly point to Detroit’s inability to properly protect themselves from Frank Ragnow’s eventual retirement. Additionally, the decision to re-sign Marcus Davenport or find an external free agent certainly was a mistake.
But, overall, because of Detroit’s modest free agent approach, there aren’t a lot of regrettable signings from last year.
What are your thoughts on last year’s free agency? What would you do differently now with the benefit of hindsight? Share your answer in the comment section at the bottom of the page.
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