Anderson Cerney ‘26, Circulation Manager
General Manager Brad Holmes for the Detroit Lions has awoken from his slumber of free agency and went to work. No more is the time of believing the next man up on the team, and that has been evident through all the free agency signings.
The offense has already seen a few additions with the most noticeable name being running back, Isiah Pacheco signing for a one-year $1.8 million dollar contract. Tight end Tyler Conklin also signed a one-year $1.3 million dollar contract, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater signed for the veteran minimum for a year, and wide receiver Greg Dortch signed a one-year $4 million dollar contract. Then, the three biggest additions to the team on the offense were center Cade Mays, offensive tackle Larry Borom, and offensive guard Ben Bartch. Mays signed a three-year $25 million dollar contract, Borom signed a one-year $5 million dollar contract, and Bartch signed a one year contract. Holmes clearly addressed the issue of the Lions offensive line (O-line), with starters leaving and other players just not cutting it for the job of O-line.
The defense was restocked at needed positions of the team. Cornerback Roger McCreary was signed to a $1.4 million dollar contract for one year while Edge rusher DJ Wonnum signed a $3 million dollar, one year contract. Another edge rusher in Payton Turner, who signed a one year $1.1 million dollar contract. Nickelback Christan Izien signed a one-year $2 million dollar contract. Linebacker Damone Clark was signed to a one year $1.4 million dollar contract. Finally, safety Chuck Clark, was signed to a one year veteran minimum contract. Holmes finally gave someone for star player Aiden Hutchinson to work with on the defensive line and beefed up the secondary core.
Holmes also re-signed four players with varying levels of impact. Backup wide receiver Tom Kennedey was re-signed. The new name to stay for the Lions was cornerbacks Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox, who was re-signed, and Holmes also re-signed linebackers Malcom Rodriguez and Trevor Nowaske.
Holmes has gone to work and added pieces to the defense and the offense for another year. Now, we just have to see what he does at the draft from trades and who he thinks will be the perfect picks for the team. Will he draft another offensive lineman, or will he draft someone for the defense? At the end of the day, let’s just hope these signings and draft picks work out in the end and achieve the goal of winning it all.
Lyon Life 