One of the mantras in Detroit Lions 2025 training camp has been: “The standard is the standard.” We’ve heard that phrase repeated multiple times throughout camp, from both coaches and players. On Thursday, Lions General Manager Brad Holmes spoke with the media about the Lions’ recent cutdowns and why the team made the decision to keep only 50 players on their initial roster.

Cutdowns are always a challenging time of the NFL calendar. Teams spent the last eight months of the offseason building a 90-man roster through free agency and the draft, then put that roster through a grueling month...

The Detroit Lions still have a spot remaining on their 53-man roster, and with the team initially going light at the defensive end position, many understandably wondered if that spot was being held for veteran defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Both Smith and the Lions have previously shown interest in a reunion after the Lions acquired for Smith at last year’s trade deadline, but released him this offseason in a cap-savings move.

However, during his preseason press conference, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said that spot is for flexibility, not a specific player.

“The one open roster spot: we just have...

During the Detroit Lions’ roster cutdowns, the team made a curious move, waiving sixth-round rookie defensive end Ahmed Hassanein with an injury settlement. Hassanein suffered a pectoral injury in the preseason, and if the Lions wanted to keep Hassanein for development, the move was a minor risk. The Boise State defender was placed on waivers, and even though it is extremely rare for a team to put in a claim for an injured player, all it takes is one team. Detroit could have simply placed Hassanein on injured reserve with a designation to return, thereby avoiding all risk. So, naturally,...

The Detroit Lions have established a 67-man roster so far. They currently have 52 players on their active roster and another 15 on their practice squad. While that leaves one player to add on each squad, it’s fair to say that most of the team’s roster maneuvering is done. There will almost certainly be tinkering each week, but Detroit has certainly made a statement with their selections so far.

Throughout training camp, fans and analysts start to build their cases for certain players to make the roster. And as confident as we may be in our own assessments, they almost...

On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions finalized an initial 53-man, 50-man roster. The next day, they added a couple of players, and established their initial practice squad, which is comprised of 15 players of the 16 maximum that are allowed.

While many Lions fans were puzzled with the amount of young, promising players the Lions waived on Tuesday, every single one of them cleared through waivers and were eligible to re-sign to Detroit’s practice squad. However, at least two have opted to sign elsewhere. Quarterback [Hendon Hooker has joined the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, while defensive tackle Brodric Martin is with...

Former Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker is signing to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, according to Panthers writer Mike Kaye.

Hooker, a 2023 third-round pick from the Lions, entered training camp with the common belief he was the favorite to win Detroit’s backup quarterback job behind Jared Goff. However, after struggles in the preseason—along with a very strong performance from veteran quarterback Kyle Allen—it was clear Hooker had fallen out of favor in Detroit. After the Lions’ final preseason game, Lions coach Dan Campbell even wondered aloud if Hooker would benefit from a new home.

“How much development do you...

The Detroit Lions have claimed two players on the waiver wire: defensive tackle Tyler Lacy and defensive end Tyrus Wheat. Both players will immediately join Detroit’s active roster, pushing their total to 52 out of the 53-player maximum.

Lacy was a 2023 fourth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Oklahoma State. Over two seasons, Lacy played in 28 games and started eight for the Jaguars last season. In total, he produced 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits—but zero sacks.

At 6-foot-4, 279 pounds, Lacy is certainly in the mold of a tweener; capable of playing...

It’s hard to argue that Jared Goff doesn’t get the respect he deserves anymore.

In this year’s NFL Top 100 list for the 2025 season—which is voted on by the players—the Detroit Lions quarterback came in as the 15th-best player in the NFL. That’s a 33-player jump from last year, in which Goff placed 48th in the rankings. This is by far the highest Goff has ever ranked in the list, going back to his Los Angeles Rams days. Here’s where he’s ranked every year:

2018: 38th
2019: 32nd
2020: Not ranked
2021: Not ranked
2022: Not ranked
2023: 66th...

The Detroit Lions have some work to do.

After initially cutting their roster down to just 50 players, followed by a trade and a reported signing, the Lions still have three spots open on their regular-season roster. Chances are pretty good that changes on Wednesday, when the waiver wire opens up and the team is allowed to start adding to their practice squad at noon ET.

In this post, we will not only track the Lions’ additions to their active roster and practice squad, but also follow the destinations of the players the Lions recently cut. So if a former...

The Detroit Lions are reportedly signing safety Daniel Thomas, per a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Thomas, who has been with the Jacksonville Jaguars since he was drafted in the fifth round in 2020, has been an active contributor for each of those five seasons. He has played at least 15 games in the past four years and was active for 10 in his rookie season.

The 5-foot-10, 215-pound safety has only played sparingly on defense, but he’s been considered one of the team’s best special teamers for years. He has logged a total of 1,184 special teams snaps in...

The Detroit Lions are reportedly trading veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Patrick joined the Lions after roster cuts last season and immediately became the outside receiver they were looking for. The wideout played in 16 games for Detroit, started nine of them, and amassed 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns. Moreover, he was a perfect scheme fit as an avid and physical run blocker.

However, a couple of offseason developments made Patrick expendable for the Lions. For one, despite entering the offseason healthy for the first...

While NFL roster cuts have all been made for the 2025 season, that is only one step in finalizing a 53-man roster. With over 1,000 players no longer employed, NFL teams will spend 24 or more hours perusing the list of players to add to both their 53-man roster and their practice squad. Things get underway on Wednesday afternoon, and considering the Detroit Lions’ initial roster only sits at 50 players, expect Wednesday to be an active day for them.

So here’s a little reminder of how the second step in roster management works during cutdown week.

Who is on...