Detroit Lions Face Tough Offseason Decisions After Playoff Exit

The Detroit Lions’ Super Bowl hopes were shattered with a loss in their first playoff game of the season to the Washington Commanders. Now, the offseason is here, and the team has some tough decisions to make.

It’s that time of the year when teams are starting to evaluate their rosters and consider cutting players under contract for the 2025 season to manage salary cap difficulties.

Top Lions Who Are NFL ‘Cut Candidates’

In a January 26 feature for Pro Football Network, NFL analyst Ben Rolfe discussed potential Detroit Lions players who could be on the chopping block this offseason.

“Identifying cut candidates can be tough, especially with teams who are changing head coaches or coordinators, as it may shift philosophies and make players who were not valued before more valuable,” Rolfe stated.

While Rolfe focuses on the possibility of the Lions cutting defensive lineman D.J. Reader, he also highlights wide receiver Kalif Raymond as a potential cap casualty. Raymond’s 2025 cap number is $6.4 million, with potential savings of $3.3 million if cut before June 1 and $4.8 million if released afterward.

Ryan Love of USA Today’s Lions Wire acknowledges that Raymond has become a fan favorite due to his underdog status and success as a kick returner. However, Love also notes that Raymond’s productivity could be replaced at a lower cost if the Lions decide to free up cap space.

More Lions Cut Possibilities

In addition to Reader and Raymond, Rolfe also lists EDGE Za’Darius Smith and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin as potential cuts. The Lions have struggled with injuries at linebacker, making depth at the position crucial.

Fans might be surprised by the mention of Smith, as he played a key role in the Lions’ defense when Aidan Hutchinson was injured. Smith’s 2025 cap number stands at $5.7 million.

While Love acknowledges that Smith was a valuable acquisition, he argues that the veteran pass rusher “merely helped the team tread water rather than put them back near where Aidan Hutchinson had their ceiling early in the season.” Though Smith performed well, Love suggests he may not be the game-breaking player the Lions need. Detroit’s defensive line struggled in the playoff loss to Washington, which could factor into the decision to move on from Smith.

Despite this, Smith had some strong performances with the Lions, and as Love points out, he is a “solid veteran who could be asked to stick around, but it wouldn’t cost much to let him go.”

As the Lions navigate the offseason, the front office will need to weigh these tough roster decisions carefully to build a competitive team for 2025.