As the Detroit Lions transition into the 2025 offseason, the team faces decisions regarding the future of 48 players who were part of their roster during the 2024 season. These players, who appeared on the active 53-man roster, practice squad, or injured reserve, are now without contracts for the upcoming year. These free agents fall into four distinct categories, each with different implications for their status and ability to negotiate contracts. Here’s a detailed breakdown of those groups and the players within each.
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1. Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) – 24 Players
Unrestricted free agents are players with expiring contracts who have accrued at least four seasons of NFL experience. While the Lions can negotiate new contracts with these players immediately, if no agreement is reached by the beginning of the free agency tampering period on **March 10, 2025**, they will be free to negotiate with other teams. The list includes several starters (noted in bold):
Quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater
Wide Receivers: Tim Patrick, Allen Robinson
Offensive Line: OT Dan Skipper, RG Kevin Zeitler, OG Netane Muti
-Defensive Line:EDGE Marcus Davenport, EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL Levi Onwuzurike, DL John Cominsky, DL Jonah Williams, DL Pat O’Connor, DL Myles Adams, NT Kyle Peko
Linebackers:Derrick Barnes, Ben Niemann, Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner
Defensive Backs:CB Carlton Davis, CB Kindle Vildor, CB Khalil Dorsey, CB Emmanuel Moseley, DB Ifeatu Melifonwu
Special Teams:K Michael Badgley
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2. Street Free Agents (SFA) – 16 Players
Street free agents are players who ended the season on the Lions’ practice squad without receiving a futures contract. Unlike UFAs, SFAs can negotiate with any NFL team immediately after their contracts expire, which occurs **seven days after the team’s final game
Quarterback: Jake Fromm
Running Back:Jermar Jefferson
Wide Receivers:Tom Kennedy, Maurice Alexander, Donovan Peoples-Jones
Tight End:James Mitchell
-Offensive Line:OT Jamarco Jones, OC Kingsley Eguakun
Defensive Line:DL Chris Smith, EDGE Isaac Ukwu
Linebackers:Kwon Alexander, Abraham Beauplan, DaRon Gilbert
Defensive Backs: CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver, S Lored Strickland, S Erick Hallett
The Lions are expected to begin offering futures contracts to some of these players in the coming days.
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3. Restricted Free Agents (RFA) – 3 Players
Restricted free agents are players with expiring contracts who have accrued three seasons in the NFL. The Lions can negotiate new contracts or place a one-year tender on these players, which limits their ability to sign with other teams. The tender options include:
First-Round Tender:Estimated at $7.2 million
-Second-Round Tender: Estimated at $5.2 million
-Right of First Refusal:Estimated at $3.2 million
If a tender is offered, the player can either accept the one-year deal or negotiate with other teams. If another team extends an offer, the Lions can match it or let the player leave, receiving compensation based on the tender level.
-Running Back:Craig Reynolds
-Tight End: Shane Zylstra
– Offensive Guard:Kayode Awosika
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4. Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA) – 5 Players**
Exclusive rights free agents are players with expiring contracts who have less than three accrued NFL seasons. These players can only negotiate with the Lions if they are offered a one-year tender. If the Lions extend the tender, the player must either accept it or sit out the season. If no tender is offered, the player becomes a UFA and can negotiate with other teams during the free agency period in March.
Offensive Tackle:Connor Galvin
-Interior Offensive Line:Michael Niese
– Edge Rusher:** Mitchell Agude
– Linebacker:** Trevor Nowaske
– Defensive Back:** Morice Norris
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What’s Next?
The Lions are expected to provide further clarity on their roster in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for their annual depth chart and contract tracker, which will provide a full overview of the team’s roster, player contract statuses, and future decisions.
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