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The Detroit Lions had their best season in franchise history in 2024. Detroit finished the regular season 15-2 and secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC, both of which are franchise firsts. Sadly, the Lions got bounced during the Divisional Round by a dangerous Commanders squad 45-31.
Now the Lions will shift their sights to the offseason. Detroit has plenty of important decisions to make, especially when it comes to re-signing some of their impending free agents.
Which players will Detroit value? Will the Lions let players test the open market, or will they try to lock up some key pieces before free agency even begins?
Below we will explore three Lions free agents who Detroit needs to re-sign before the beginning of NFL Free Agency in March.
Most NFL fans were introduced to Derrick Barnes when he intercepted Baker Mayfield during the Divisional Round last season. However, in Detroit he is well known as a valuable member of the team’s defense.
Barnes’ 2024 campaign was cut brutally short due to injury. He suffered an injury to his MCL and PCL during a Week 3 game against the Cardinals. The injury ended his season.
Barnes is a hybrid player who can play both off-ball linebacker and line up on the defensive line as a pass rusher. His versatility is one of his main strengths, and Detroit made great use of that ability. There is every reason to believe that the Lions would prefer to re-sign him.
The price of Derrick Barnes will likely end up being the most significant factor towards that decides if this reunion actually happens. Over the Cap estimates that Barnes to have a valuation of roughly $1.2 million on the open market. His most recent injury could explain a lot of that valuation.
I could see the Lions paying Barnes a decent amount more than that valuation. That is, as long as the coaching staff has a plan for Barnes moving forward.
Onwuzurike could be one of the most interesting Lions free agents to watch this spring. The Lions love Onwuzurike, so much so that GM Brad Holmes reportedly attempted to trade up into the first round to pick him.
Unfortunately, Onwuzurike’s professional career has been derailed by injuries. He suffered a brutal back injury that caused him to miss the entire 2022 season. Levi eventually returned during the 2023 season and played in 10 games. 2024 was his best season, playing in 16 games and setting career highs in multiple statistical categories. Even so, he was not much of a factor on the box score.
Onwuzurike only managed 28 total tackles plus one-and-a-half sacks and a forced fumble this season.
You might be wondering at this point – why is Onwuzurike so interesting?
Onwuzurike will turn 27 during the 2025 season. He is finally healthy for the first time in his...
