The Detroit Lions bolstered their roster during their second wave of free agency on Tuesday by re-signing several key depth players. Along with tight end Shane Zylstra, the Lions have also brought back sixth-year running back Craig Reynolds and veteran defensive end Pat O’Connor for the 2025 season. The team confirmed these moves on Tuesday through their social media platforms.
Despite not tendering Reynolds ahead of the NFL’s new league year, reports indicated that he intended to stay in Detroit for the upcoming season on a one-year contract. Last season, Reynolds played in 17 games, registering 31 carries for 139 yards and participating in 272 special teams snaps. Since head coach Dan Campbell’s tenure began in 2021, Reynolds—known by his nickname “Netflix”—has been a consistent presence in the backfield rotation, entering his fifth season with the Lions.
Meanwhile, O’Connor, a former Eastern Michigan player and seventh-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, is returning for a second consecutive season after rejoining the team last year. The 31-year-old from Chicago proved to be an essential part of the defensive line, contributing 18 tackles, including two for loss, and a sack in 12 games. His adaptability was evident when he stepped in as nose tackle following a season-ending injury to Kyle Peko in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. O’Connor now joins fellow defensive linemen Marcus Davenport, Levi Onwuzurike, Myles Adams, and Mitchell Agude, all retained by the Lions this offseason.
