Their hopes for a Super Bowl run ended after a first-round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. With the offseason underway, the team must now make crucial roster decisions.
This time of year, teams evaluate their rosters and determine which contracted players might be released ahead of the 2025 season. Cutting players under contract can help address salary cap issues.
Lions Players Who Could Be Released
In a January 26 article for Pro Football Network, NFL analyst Ben Rolfe examined potential Lions players who might be released this offseason.
“Determining which players could be cut is challenging, particularly for teams undergoing coaching changes, as new systems can impact player value,” Rolfe explained.
While his analysis focuses primarily on the possibility of parting ways with defensive lineman D.J. Reader, he also considers wide receiver Kalif Raymond a potential cut.
Raymond’s 2025 cap hit stands at $6.4 million, with possible savings of $3.3 million before June 1 and $4.8 million if released afterward.
Discussing this possibility, USA Today’s Lions Wire writer Ryan Love noted on January 27 that “Kalif Raymond has become a fan favorite in Detroit, as is often the case with smaller but effective returners.” Many fans would be disappointed to see him go simply because of his popularity.
However, Love also pointed out that “Raymond’s contributions could be replaced at a lower cost if the team decides to free up some cap space in 2025.”
Additional Players on the Chopping Block
Besides Reader and Raymond, Rolfe also mentioned edge rusher Za’Darius Smith and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin as potential cap casualties. Reeves-Maybin’s release would be a tough call given the team’s injury concerns at linebacker.
Smith’s potential departure might be a surprise, as he played a crucial role in the defense when Aidan Hutchinson was injured. His 2025 cap hit is $5.7 million.
Love acknowledged that Smith was “the trade every Lions fan wanted,” but argued that while he helped stabilize the defense, he didn’t elevate it back to where it was with Hutchinson at full strength.
Though Smith “played well,” Love suggested he “isn’t the kind of game-changer expected in his role.” He also pointed out that Detroit’s defensive line was largely ineffective in the playoff loss to the Commanders.
Despite the Lions’ struggles in that game, Smith had several standout performances during the season.
Love concluded that while Smith is “a dependable veteran who might be asked to stay, releasing him wouldn’t be a costly move.”
