Category: Lions News

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown plays CB and receives a lesson in the process

Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown played CB at a celebrity football game but receives a lesson that it might not be so easy as it looks

The offseason is in full bloom. Free agency is kicking off. The draft is right around the corner. And before you know it, training camp will get started. In preparation for next season, players like to train with one another with current or former teammates or positional camps.

Several current players and prospects attended a celebrity flag football game hosted by RX3 growth partners, which Lions fan favorite Aaron Rodgers co-founded. Players like Josh Allen, Sam Arnold, Desmond Ridder, and prospects Will Levis, Kyle Allen, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Also, the Lions 1-2 punch of Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown was present.

Goff, of course, was playing quarterback, but St. Brown decided to play cornerback, trying to stop his teammate instead of receiving his throws. Well, it didn’t go in the Sun God’s favor.

St. Brown was lined up against internet personality Jenna Brady, who has a track record of showing off her ball skills.

Throughout the video, she continued to do good work against anyone she was lined up against, giving everyone something to cheer for, and she wasn’t afraid to let everyone know. It was all good fun, and I’m sure Goff won’t let St. Brown forget about it.

 

Detroit Lions current salary cap situation after initial free agency wave

The Detroit Lions are sitting comfortably in their salary cap funds and might need it heading into the NFL draft

The Detroit Lions have done a wonderful job bringing in some fresh faces to supplement a few glaring holes while keeping some continuity by bringing back several players from last season. Additionally, with the initial free agency wave now over, we can clearly see the team’s salary cap situation heading toward the draft.

With the help of Over the Cap, below are the 2023 cap hits for the players the Lions have signed this off-season:

Cam Sutton- $3,280,000

David Montgomery- $2,845,588

Alex Anzalone- $2,500,000

John Cominsky- $2,300,000

Isaiah Buggs- $1,700,000

Matt Nelson- $1,300,000

Will Harris- $1,232,500

Ross Pierschbacher- $1,010,000

Craig Reynolds- $940,000

Emmanuel Moseley- Awaiting details

Graham Glasgow- Awaiting details

Michael Badgley- Awaiting details

As you can see, the cap hits are very reasonable this season. They are leaving the Lions with a current cap space of about $18.4 million. General Manager Brad Holmes structured the deals to be backloaded while adding voided years, giving the Lions flexibility to maneuver the rest of free agency and the draft, especially with five of their seven draft picks in the top 100.

A helpful tool through OTC, it provides an effective cap space number that considers the top 51 contracts and the potential rookie class contract numbers. These estimations give an estimated amount of cap space the team might have afterward. For example, OTC estimates the Lions will spend roughly $8.3 million to sign their rookie class.

Looking back on the 2022 draft class and the cap hits the players had at the respective draft picks the Lions are slated with this year, the cap hit came close to $13 million, and that’s if the Lions stay with their current draft picks. But, of course, that is considering the money they might shell out to priority-free agents.

Using the effective cap space number provided by OTC and past transactions, the Lions could have roughly $5-$10 million left in cap space, depending on how the contracts are structured after signing their rookie class.

Currently, the Lions are sitting comfortably with their salary cap at the top of the league in available funds, giving them flexibility if they decide to go after any other free agents. In addition, they could still maneuver funds around with possible restructures, with Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Romeo Okwara giving the Lions extra breathing room if needed.

Lions bring back safety C.J. Moore on a 2-year deal

Lions bring back safety and special teams ace C.J. Moore on a 2-year deal

The Lions are bringing back another key piece of the special teams units. Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Lions have agreed to re-sign safety C.J. Moore.

Moore visited with the New England Patriots during the week but returns to the Lions. It’s a 2-year deal worth a reported $4.5 million for the reserve safety. There are incentives for an additional $1.25 million as well.

He’s best known for his successful long run on a fake punt last season, though Moore has been a staple of Detroit’s special teams for most of the last four seasons. In that time, the 27-year-old has played under 350 total defensive snaps.

Lions young core players earned sizeable performance based bonuses

Several of the Detroit Lions young core earned sizable performance-based bonuses, and the trend should continue heading into the future

The Detroit Lions saw major contributions from their late-round rookies and cost-effective free agents last year, and they are being compensated through their high efforts. Through the “performance-based pool” from the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, a $10.5 million pool is rewarded to players on low-cost contracts, and several Lions earned a piece of the bonus pool.

In all, 76 players from the Lions earned a bonus, with Kerby Joseph leading the group with a $523,538 bonus, almost topping his base salary of $705,000 from last year. Here is a list of the top ten amounts among the Lions players.

Kerby Joseph 1,408 snaps $523,538
Brock Wright 762 $451,678
Jonah Jackson 918 $441,996
Isaiah Buggs 758 $434,816
Amon-Ra St. Brown 835 $421,923
Malcolm Rodriguez 685 $389,914
Alim McNeill 784 $366,610
Jerry Jacobs 619 $366,440
DeShon Elliott 889 $355,978
John Cominsky 610 $327,154

Even though none of the Lions landed in the Top 25 of players who received from the performance-bonus pool, it is indicative of the contributions the Lions received from their late-round draftees and their low-end free agents. The Lions will lean on several of these players as core contributors this upcoming season.

On offense, Jackson is the unsung hero on the offensive line and has been one of the more reliable players for the Lions. Wright became a solid red-zone target for Jared Goff while providing key run and pass blocking. In addition, St. Brown is earning a reputation as one of the best receivers in the league.

On defense, with their rookie year under their belt, Joseph and Rodriguez will look to take the next step forward and elevate their game in their respective positions. Buggs and Cominsky earned new contracts from Detroit after their rebound seasons. McNeill is a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the defensive line. Jacobs has turned from a UDFA to one of the better cornerbacks for the Lions. Eliott earned a new contract with the Miami Dolphins, but he was a nice addition, especially after Tracy Walker went down.

I would look to see this trend continue as General Manager Brad Holmes looks to have an eye for talent, either in the draft or free agency. He has made quite a few moves in this free agency that have been well received and looks to be plugging holes where they needed to be plugged. With two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, the possibilities are endless on what the Lions can do.

Lions meet with WR Ronnie Bell, TE Luke Schoonmaker at Michigan’s pro day

The Lions meet with WR Ronnie Bell, TE Luke Schoonmaker at Michigan’s pro day

The Michigan Wolverines held their pro day on Friday in Ann Arbor. At least three members of the Lions made the short drive to attend the workout.

Michigan has several draft prospects, but it seems the Lions were focused on wideout Ronnie Bell and TE Luke Schoonmaker. Per Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, the Lions met with Bell at the pro day. He ran a ridiculously quick 3-cone drill at just 6.59 seconds.

Bell was Michigan’s top receiver in 2022 after missing almost all of the prior season with a broken leg. He’s generally projected as a middle-round pick. Bell previously met with the Lions at the Senior Bowl.

Schoonmaker was spotted talking with Lions TE coach Steve Heiden at the pro day. The 6-foot-5, 251-pounder is seen as a Day 3 prospect after an impressive athletic workout at the combine.

The Lions also dispatched defensive back coach Brian Duker to Ann Arbor. While there was no officially observed meeting, Duker spent the morning watching speedy Wolverines CB D.J. Turner.

Kicker Jake Moody had an impressive pro day, making 12-of-13 field goal attempts. Moody reiterated from his Scouting Combine interview that he’s still not had any visits or formal interviews with the Lions, however.

Lions agree to re-sign K Michael Badgley

Badgley is back in Detroit after a successful 2022

Michael Badgley is heading back to the Detroit Lions for another year. The Lions signed their kicker back into the den as a free agent on Friday.

Badgley’s agent, Brian McLaughlin, broke the news of a new contract agreement. Terms are not yet available.

The kicker hit 20 of his 24 field goal attempts in 12 games with the Lions in 2022, with a long of 53 yards. He was perfect on extra points.

Michael Badgley and the Lions decision to make at kicker this offseason

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Breaking down the Lions free agency contract details

Here’s a quick look at the reported contracts for the Lions free agents

It’s been a busy week for the Detroit Lions in free agency. GM Brad Holmes and the Lions have brought in some outside free agents, as well as re-signing several of their own.

Here’s a quick look at the reported contracts for the Lions free agents, as listed by either Over The Cap, Spotrac or the NFLPA.

Signing Graham Glasgow gives the Lions options on the offensive line

Bringing back Graham Glasgow in free agency gives the Lions options on the offensive line

Graham Glasgow has returned to Detroit as a free agent. The veteran lineman rejoins the Lions, where he played from 2016-2019, after three seasons with the Denver Broncos

With Glasgow back, offensive line coach Hank Fraley has some options with his unit. It’s a group that returns every starter except right guard but has some question marks beyond that returning foursome–which might be the league’s best.

Glasgow could plug right into the role vacated by Evan Brown, who signed with the Seahawks as a free agent. While Brown started at right guard in 2022 and center in 2021, he was pegged as the team’s top interior reserve. Brown proved how valuable having a quality reserve who can capably step in and start at either position can be. Right now the only other center on the roster behind Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow is Ross Pierschbacher.

With starting experience at both positions — in Detroit, no less — that’s a natural fit for Glasgow. The $4.5 million salary for 2023 is high-end for a reserve or insurance policy, however. Which leads to a different option…

Glasgow could step into the starting right guard role. He would take over for Halapoulivaati Vaitai in that capacity.

Vaitai was supposed to be the starting RG in 2022 but missed the season with a back injury. Brown took over and played well, but Vaitai remains on the Lions roster and is penciled in as the current starter. “Big V” is also an expensive presence, with a base salary of $9.4 million and a cap hit of just under $12.5 million.

Should Glasgow take over at RG, there are options with Vaitai–presuming he’s healthy enough to play. He can accept a pay cut, similar to what Charles Harris just did on defense, and become the top reserve lineman. Vaitai’s starting experience at both guard and tackle makes him well-suited for such a role.

Vaitai could also become the Lions’ best option for the extra tackle on offense. Detroit uses a third tackle more than all but one other team, and a healthy Big V is a better blocker in space and pass protection option in that role than Matt Nelson, who was brought back but is far from a lock to make the team. Again, for Vaitai to get that role he’d need to reduce his cap hit in 2023 and also prove he’s healthy, or at least be on track to be physically capable by September. We haven’t heard a status update on Vaitai’s back other than an ambiguous response from GM Brad Holmes at the combine.

Detroit could also move on from Vaitai and place a greater emphasis on the right guard/swing tackle position in the upcoming draft. It’s an intriguing, middle-round heavy draft class in those spots. The Lions could very well draft an option there regardless, but dumping Vaitai would elevate that need higher up the priority chart.

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Cam Sutton ready to be part of something special with the Lions

Cam Sutton wasted no time signing with the Detroit Lions, as he is ready to be part of something special the Lions are currently building.

Heading into this offseason, cornerback was on the top, if not the top priority, the Detroit Lions needed to address to fill some glaring gaps that plagued the team this past season. General Manager Brad Holmes wasted no time and snagged one of the top cornerback free agents this offseason, Cam Sutton, to shore up the secondary. All parties are excited about the possible opportunities.

The Lions have had a rough go when it comes to cornerback, either through injuries, free agency misses, or trading away top talent. With the current regime, they are ready to right that wrong and make sure the problems that hurt them in recent years doesn’t come to bite them again. Enter Cam Sutton.

Sutton is a versatile defender that can play outside or inside, but considering the contract, the Lions shelled out he will more than likely play outside using his high football IQ and savvy moves to control opposing receivers. In addition, he possesses a personality that will fit right in with the culture the Lions are trying to build in Detroit, and he wants to be part of it. This is a common theme we have been seeing with the players the Lions are bringing in.

At his introductory press conference on Thursday, Sutton talked about why he came to Detroit.

“I know they’re doing the right things. You know that they bring the right people in the building, and we’re close,” Sutton said. “Organization’s ready to turn the hump, regardless of what you may see or what you may think or any other stuff. We’re here to play. We’re not here just to show up and be in the building and say we’re a part of this league. We’re here to leave our mark. We’re right there.”

Head Coach Dan Campell has been a major influence in bringing in players with his high energy and passion, which makes Detroit an optimal destination for players to come to play. Similar to defensive lineman John Cominsky, who ultimately decided to come back when he received a text from Campbell, the head coach had a major influence in bringing in Sutton.

“Seeing what he’s been doing around the league, it’s exhilarating, man. Like, guys love this guy,” Sutton enthused. “Not just me speaking, but you see how far it spreads around the league. Guys want to play for him. Guys love the energy and everything he brings to the game. He’s passionate, and he’s always going to be passionate about what he does. You need that. You need someone who’s going to be head over heels.”

The Lions made a strong push for Sutton, as they were his first call, and the feelings were mutual. However, he mentioned the Lions didn’t need to make a strong pitch to drive him to Detroit. He wanted stability, which is a breath of fresh air considering the Lions would usually have to overpay to bring in players like Sutton.

“Playing Detroit over the years, it’s always been that tough-nosed, grit team. These are styles that I’m a part of; that’s my identity; it’s my game. Just ready to infuse that into a new division, just take over a division,” Sutton stated.

Sutton is ready to hit the ground running. He will not only bring stability in the secondary, but as a veteran, he will help some of the younger players on the team and become a strong leader. He wants to be part of something special and help continue building a solid core for the Lions.

“We got a really good group, man. We have a really good special group. I haven’t even stepped foot with them, just to even play a down with them, but just seeing how they play, man, situations of a year.”

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Jamaal Williams thanks Lions fans as only he can

New Saints RB Jamaal Williams thanks Lions fans as only he can for two great seasons in Detroit

Lions fans have come to the acceptance that they have to say goodbye to popular running back, Jamaal Williams. The fan favorite showed his love for Detroit and the Lions den where he spent the last two seasons.

Williams signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints on a three-year deal. The move came after the Lions signed former Bears RB David Montgomery on a 3-year deal of his own.

“I just wanna say thank you to all the Detroit fans and everybody apart of the hidden village of the den 🙏🏾 I’ve grown a lot just from those two years and i appreciate every experience I had with every person I came to encounter while I was there,” Williams posted to his Twitter account on Thursday morning.

Being the Jamaal that Detroit came to love, Williams added his own unique spin that echoes his epic Sunday Night Football intro in Week 18,