The Detroit Lions defense has suffered yet another free agency loss. Per Ian Rapoport, defensive tackle Roy Lopez is headed back to the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year, $11.5 million deal. NFL Network is reporting the deal includes $7 million guaranteed.
That’s a tough loss for the Lions, as Lopez proved to be a good depth player for the Lions in 2025. Signed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal in Detroit, Lopez played in all 17 games, tallied 30 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and a pass defensed. He was a big cog in Detroit’s strong run defense, and he was one of the few interior defenders who were able to provide a bit of a pass rush. PFF credited him with 13 pressures on the season and a 63.6 pass rush grade.
The Lions are almost certainly expected to give 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams a bigger role this upcoming season after playing 446 snaps (compared to Lopez’s 425). But Detroit will still need more reinforcements in the defensive tackle room. Veteran nose tackle DJ Reader is also facing free agency. Reader recently told Kay Adams that he’d like to return to Detroit and that the Lions have been talking to his agent.
“I would love to. I love the people there, love my guys, love my teammates,” Reader said. “They’ve been talking to my agent, I guess, so I hadn’t had any personal communication, but that doesn’t surprise me. It always goes one way or another with personal communication. So we’ll see.”
Lopez is the third Lions’ defender to agree to terms with a new team on Monday. Alex Anzalone is signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while cornerback Amik Robertson is joining the Washington Commanders.
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