Josh Paschal, a defensive lineman, has been selected by the Detroit Lions.
The talented defensive lineman was picked in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but things simply didn’t work out for him.
Due to an injury, the former Kentucky Wildcats defender missed the majority of the 2025 campaign after having back surgery in May of the previous year.
The 26-year-old has been let go by the club after four seasons, despite the fact that his contract was tolled and he was able to get his 2025 contract back this year.
At the NFL scouting combine, general manager Brad Holmes suggested that Paschal’s tenure may be coming to an end soon.
Former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays was signed by Detroit to a three-year, $25 million deal with a $14 million guarantee, marking the team’s first offensive move. The team also signed Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Larry Borom later on Monday.
The beginning of the legal tampering period was difficult for Detroit’s defense as the team lost two of its starters in linebacker Alex Anzalone and cornerback Amik Robertson.
While Robertson is set to join the Washington Commanders, Anzalone accepted a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Roy Lopez, a defensive tackle, also left after signing a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.
Kelvin Sheppard, in his second year as the defensive coordinator, leads Detroit’s defense. After Aaron Glenn was hired as the head coach of the New York Jets, Sheppard was promoted to coordinator from his previous position as the team’s outside linebackers coach. Sheppard’s first year as the coordinator had some highs and lows, and some of the lows were brought on by injuries.
The Lions’ defense got off to a bit of a promising start to the year, led by a strong showing against the Baltimore Ravens and talented quarterback Lamar Jackson. Detroit won despite giving up 30 points and recording seven sacks.
The injury bug started to take its toll on Sheppard’s team as the season went on. Both starting safeties, Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, would sustain season-ending injuries, and cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and D. J. Reed would both spend time on injured reserve. Branch tore his Achilles against Dallas in December, and Joseph’s knee injury ended his season following week six. Whether they will be prepared for the beginning of the upcoming season is unknown to both athletes.
Despite having a winning record for the fourth straight season, Detroit is hoping to bounce back from its last-place result. The Lions ended the 2025 season with a 9-8 record and will be hoping to make a comeback after a disappointing year.
