Detroit Lions Depth Chart
- NFC North
- Stadium
- Ford Field
- Head Coach
- Dan Campbell
- Offensive Coordinator
- Ben Johnson
- Defensive Coordinator
- Aaron Glenn
- Special Teams Coach
- Dave Fipp
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Former Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl offensive guard Kevin Zeitler plans to sign an undisclosed one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, according to a source. Zeitler is flying to Detroit on Monday night to take a physical, with the plan to formally sign on Tuesday. The 34-year-old former 27th overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012 out of Wisconsin has been one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the league in the last 12 years. He could serve as a short-term replacement for Jonah Jackson, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent. Zeitler played in 15 regular-season games and battled through knee and quad injuries last year but still managed a 93.8% pass-block win rate (10th among guards) while allowing only six sacks. He also had a 61.8% run-block win rate (25th among guards). Zeitler is known for his durability and has played in 182 games (181 starts) in the regular season since 2012.
Free-agent wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones agreed to a one-year deal on Saturday to remain with the Lions. The wideout began his career by spending over three years with the Browns before being traded to Detroit ahead of the deadline last season. He appeared in eight regular-season games for the Lions, catching only five of his seven targets for 58 yards. Yet, Peoples-Jones did at least come in handy as a punt returner during the postseason after Kalif Raymond went down with a knee injury. The organization still feels the 25-year-old has some untapped potential. However, it's too early to speculate where Peoples-Jones will land on the depth chart heading into the 2024-25 campaign, considering he'll compete with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and possibly Josh Reynolds for snaps. The team may also add via the 2024 NFL Draft. With this in mind, he's someone to watch throughout training camp.
The Detroit Lions agreed to multi-year contract extensions for executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell through the 2027 season on Thursday. The moves come after Detroit had one of the best seasons in franchise history with an NFC Championship game appearance and a division championship for the first time in more than three decades. The Lions also tied the franchise record for most wins in a season (12) under both Holmes and Campbell. Campbell was hired six days after Holmes before the 2021 season. Holmes was named NFL executive of the year in 2023, while Campbell was a finalist for Associated Press Coach of the Year. The Lions also reached an extension with special assistant to the president/CEO and chairperson Chris Spielman.
Free-agent defensive tackle D.J. Reader (quadriceps) has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 29-year-old is known as one of the best run-stuffing interior defensive linemen in the NFL, and he lands on a team that was excellent in defending the run last season (91.1 rushing yards per game allowed). Reader suffered a torn quad in Week 15 of last season, so there's a chance he could be eased into action this offseason and early in the 2024 campaign. The Lions already had studs at edge rusher (Aidan Hutchinson) and defensive tackle (Alim McNeill), so Reader's arrival forms one of the best defensive lines in the league as Detroit looks to remain in contention for a Super Bowl.
The Detroit Lions are signing free-agent cornerback Amik Robertson to a two-year, $9.25 million deal that is worth up to $10.75 million with incentives on Tuesday, according to a source. Robertson played in 52 games (21 starts) with the Las Vegas Raiders and can defend the slot a Detroit secondary that needs all the help they can get to upgrade their defense this offseason. The Lions also acquired corner Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. The Raiders' fourth-round draft choice in 2020 out of Louisiana Tech has a total of 111 tackles (84 solo), two sacks, four interceptions, 15 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in 52 career games (21 starts) in his four seasons in the NFL with the Raiders.