Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell Get concerning Bad News as Lion Shapes up 2025 Team

One of the most significant departures was guard Kevin Zeitler, who left to join the Tennessee Titans. NFL analyst Mike Payton believes this was a mistake for the Lions, as Zeitler was seen as essential to maintaining a top-tier offensive line. Payton criticizes the Lions for not offering more to retain Zeitler, giving them a failing grade for this loss. Zeitler’s departure is considered one of the more underrated moves of the offseason.

Another loss was edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, which also garnered a negative reaction from Payton, who gave the Lions a D grade for this decision. While freeing up cap space may have been beneficial, Payton questions whether the move was worth it, especially if no significant additions were made with that money. He remains hopeful that the full impact of the decision will become clearer over time.

However, not all moves were viewed negatively. The Lions made a strong addition by signing cornerback D.J. Reed, which Payton praised as an excellent move. After losing Carlton Davis to the Patriots, the Lions quickly turned around and signed Reed to a more affordable deal, and Payton considers Reed to be just as valuable, if not more so, than Davis. This deal was viewed as a major win for general manager Brad Holmes.

Additionally, the Lions re-signed defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike, who had a strong 2024 season. Payton applauded this move, noting that the Lions secured him for significantly less than the projected cost, giving the team an A+ grade for the deal.

In conclusion, while the Lions’ free agency efforts have had some setbacks, they have also made moves that could prove to be highly beneficial as they look to bounce back and improve for the 2025 season.