The Detroit Lions face a critical offseason after missing their primary objective of reaching and winning the Super Bowl. The Lions have witnessed Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn leave the organization for head coaching roles, but Detroit quickly found their successors.
With the coordinator hires finalized, Detroit can now focus on its roster. The Lions possess a remarkable number of free agents (31) this offseason. Of the 31 free agents, Detroit has 22 unrestricted players who may come back to Detroit next season or choose to sign with a different team.
Ifeatu Melifonwu Aiming to Re-Sign with Lions
One player who might be on the roster bubble is safety Ifeatu Melifonwu. The 25-year-old defensive back played in just three games this season due to injuries to his ankle and finger.
Melifonwu made his 2024 appearance in Week 16 versus the Chicago Bears, where he started and participated in 51 defensive plays. When in good health, the adaptable defensive back shines as a playmaker in Detroit’s secondary, as observed in 2023.
During the 2023 season, Melifonwu recorded 33 total tackles, eight pass deflections, five quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions.
Following the Lions’ surprising defeat in the divisional round against the Washington Commanders, Melifonwu expressed to reporters his desire to come back to the Motor City.
“I wish to return,” Melifonwu stated last week during the locker room cleanup (h/t Tim Twentyman of Lions.com). “Clearly, I was selected here and I was part of the inaugural class drafted here.” I have witnessed what we’ve created and how we’ve evolved, so I would be thrilled to return.
Melifonwu was included in GM Brad Holmes’ inaugural draft class when he was picked in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. This draft class aided Detroit in returning to form and transforming into an immediate Super Bowl contender over the past two seasons.
Lions supporters would be thrilled to see Melifonwu back, provided he can maintain his health, a challenge he has faced during his career. With Khalil Dorsey, Carlton Davis III, Kindle Vildor, and Emmanuel Moseley all set to be unrestricted free agents, there’s an opportunity for Melifonwu to make his return to Detroit.