Lions Get Bad News as Dan Campbell Shapes 2025 Team…ts.dhung.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell

Getty

The Detroit Lions are shaping their 2025 team, but they’ve also lost some key players that could hurt the crew in the long haul.

The Detroit Lions had a very busy free agency week, parting with certain key players to open up some funds and bringing on others to fill gaps in the roster. While it’s certainly a good thing to see Dan Campbell and the Lions being active during the offseason, unlike some teams in the NFL, some of the moves are being met with criticism from NFL analysts and experts alike.

Notably, the Lions have lost some key players during the offseason that are going to be difficult to replace.


Detroit Lions Get ‘F’ Grade on Losing Key Player

The Detroit Lions are trying to come back after the hardship of having 2024 be yet another season where the team didn’t go all the way. Detroit experienced an upset loss against the Washington Commanders in the playoffs on on January 18, and now, they’re hoping to reshape their roster to get back to the playoffs and hopefully further in 2025.

But, a few of the team’s early player losses aren’t good. In a Friday, March 14, piece for A to Z Sports, NFL analyst and expert Mike Payton discusses some of the positive and negative moves the Lions have made in their first week of free agency.

The biggest loss for the Lions, according to Payton, is guard Kevin Zeitler. “This was the one guy the Lions needed to make sure they kept to keep the offensive line playing at a top level. They couldn’t do it,” he states in the feature. You can’t blame them too much because he wanted to be with family, but maybe you up the offer to keep him here?”

Payton gives the Lions the dreaded F grade for losing Zeitler, who signed with the Tennessee Titans in what’s being deemed as an “underrated move.”

Payton also doesn’t like the Lions losing edge Za’Darius Smith, giving the Lions a D grade on that one. Of the move, Payton states, “Ok, if I’m grading this one just by what’s happened after this first, week, I don’t like it a whole lot.”

Payton adds, “Freeing up cash was good, doing nothing with that cash feels like maybe you didn’t need to make this move. Maybe this grade changes over time. We’re just reacting to the first week at this point.”


Not All Doom and Gloom in Free Agency Week

Don’t worry too much, though, because it’s not all negatives for the Lions. When it comes to new team members, signing cornerback D.J. Reed was seen as an A move by Payton.

“You have to give some serious kudos to Brad Holmes on this one,” Payton states. “Inside one hour, the Lions lost Carlton Davis to the Patriots on a $60 million deal and then turned around and signed Reed to a $48 million deal. Reed is of equal or greater value to the Lions and they got him at a significantly reduced value. Superb work from Holmes.”

During Reed’s 46 career games with the New York Jets, he had 220 tackles, 32 pass deflections, seven TFLs and two interceptions. He also ended with at least a 70 overall and coverage grade from PFF with the Jets from 2022 to 2024.

Payton also likes the re-signing of DL Levi Onwuzurike, stating that, “He had a big year in 2024 and that should continue on. For the Lions to both get him back here and get him at about $15 million less than the projection, what a score.” He gives Detroit an A+ grade for that move.

Anne Erickson Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter covering the NFL and college football for Heavy.com. Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson

The information I make is all true, do not comment vulgar words on my page, please support me every day to update the latest information <3

Related Posts

Congratulations! Jaylen Warren has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legendary legacy in NFL history. It’s a golden milestone that caps off an impressive career for one of the greatest players ever. vannguyen

Jaylen Warren has officially been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as one of the greatest to ever step onto the gridiron….

Congratulations! Noah Gray has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legendary legacy in NFL history. It’s a golden milestone that caps off an impressive career for one of the greatest players ever. vannguyen

Noah Gray has officially taken his place among the legends of the game, earning induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This monumental achievement cements his…

Congratulations! Dallas Goedert has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legendary legacy in NFL history. It’s a golden milestone that caps an impressive career for one of the greatest players ever. vannguyen

Dallas Goedert has officially earned his place among football’s immortals, securing induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor cements his legendary status, marking…

Congratulations! Malik Willis has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legendary legacy in NFL history. It’s a golden milestone that caps off an impressive career for one of the greatest players ever. vannguyen

Malik Willis has officially etched his name into NFL history, securing his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The electrifying quarterback, known for his dual-threat…

Congratulations! Courtland Sutton has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legendary legacy in NFL history. It’s a golden milestone that caps an impressive career for one of the greatest players ever. vannguyen

Courtland Sutton has officially secured his place among the NFL’s elite, earning induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The star wide receiver, known for his…

Alex Anzalone: Wants to stay with the Lions for life, ready to extend contract – “I want to be a Lions for the rest of my career, no matter what the management wants to do…”-baro

Alex Anzalone: Wants to Stay with the Lions for Life, Ready to Extend Contract – A Misleading Statement In a hypothetical scenario that has captured the imagination…