The Detroit Lions’ Historic 2024 Season: A Look Back and Key Offseason Decisions

The Detroit Lions’ 2024 season will undoubtedly be remembered as the best in franchise history. After an impressive 15-2 regular season finish, Detroit secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC, setting new records for the franchise. However, despite their dominant regular season, the Lions’ playoff run was abruptly halted in the Divisional Round by a dangerous Washington Commanders team, resulting in a tough 45-31 defeat. As the team now shifts focus to the offseason, key decisions will need to be made, particularly when it comes to retaining valuable free agents. Let’s explore the three players Detroit should prioritize in order to strengthen their squad for the future.

Derrick Barnes: A Hybrid Player with Unfinished Business

Derrick Barnes, a key defensive asset for Detroit, is a player the Lions must seriously consider re-signing. Known for his versatility, Barnes can play both off-ball linebacker and line up on the defensive line as a pass rusher. His ability to impact the game in various roles made him a valuable part of Detroit’s defense. However, Barnes’ 2024 season was cut short by an unfortunate injury, leaving him sidelined after suffering damage to his MCL and PCL during a Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Despite this setback, Barnes remains an important piece for the Lions. His potential to contribute in multiple defensive schemes is a valuable asset that should not be overlooked. The most significant factor in determining whether the Lions can retain Barnes will likely be his market value, with estimates placing him around $1.2 million on the open market. However, the Lions may be willing to offer him more, depending on the coaching staff’s plans for him moving forward. The team would do well to lock him up, assuming the injury does not affect his long-term prospects.

Levi Onwuzurike: A Player With Potential Yet to Be Fully Realized

Levi Onwuzurike is another intriguing player whose future with Detroit is uncertain. The Lions have shown immense faith in Onwuzurike, with general manager Brad Holmes even attempting to trade up in the draft to select him. Unfortunately, Onwuzurike’s career has been plagued by injuries, including a severe back issue that caused him to miss the entire 2022 season. While he made a solid return in 2023, it was in 2024 that he had his best season, playing all 16 games and setting career highs in several key statistical categories. Despite these improvements, Onwuzurike’s impact on the box score remained modest, with just 28 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Onwuzurike will turn 27 during the 2025 season, and for the first time in his professional career, he is finally healthy. This could be his opportunity to secure a substantial payday on the open market, possibly pricing him out of Detroit’s budget. However, the Lions know him better than any other team and likely value him higher than the competition. If Onwuzurike is able to command upwards of $7 million per season, Detroit may be unable to afford him. However, if he is willing to take a hometown discount, or if his market value is not as high as anticipated, the Lions could bring him back for another season.

Carlton Davis III: The Cost of Retaining Detroit’s Standout Cornerback

Acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the offseason, Carlton Davis III quickly became a key piece of Detroit’s secondary. Known for his ability to thrive in man coverage, Davis III proved to be a reliable cornerback, making significant plays throughout the season. He even had a standout game against the Texans, recording two interceptions and forcing a crucial fumble against the Packers. Davis III has certainly earned his place in the Lions’ defensive scheme, but there are challenges ahead when it comes to keeping him in Detroit.

One of the main obstacles to re-signing Davis III is his contract. Currently, he carries a cap hit of $9.82 million for the 2025 season. Any new deal would likely involve additional salary commitments, which could impact the Lions’ salary cap flexibility moving forward. Davis III, now 29 years old, is entering the prime of his career, and his potential demand on the open market could drive his price higher than Detroit is willing to pay. However, if Davis III is open to taking a hometown discount, or if the Lions see value in retaining a veteran leader in their secondary, he could remain with the team.

Conclusion: A Critical Offseason for the Lions

As the Detroit Lions prepare for the 2025 season, their offseason decisions will be crucial to maintaining their momentum. Re-signing key players like Derrick Barnes, Levi Onwuzurike, and Carlton Davis III could provide the stability and depth needed for a sustained playoff run. However, the cost of retaining these players, coupled with potential cap space limitations, will make for an interesting offseason in Detroit. The Lions have laid a solid foundation in 2024, and now the focus shifts to building a team capable of making a deep playoff push in the years to come. The decisions made in the coming months will determine whether Detroit can continue to rise to the top of the NFC or if they will face more challenges in the future.