This offseason, the Detroit Lions will have more than 30 free agents awaiting decisions, including veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport.
In 2024, the Lions inked Davenport to a one-year contract worth $6.5 million, aimed at having him assist standout edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Adding Davenport was a logical move by general manager Brad Holmes back then, given the team’s need for assistance in that position.
Nonetheless, circumstances did not work out for Davenport and the Lions, as the frequently injured edge rusher once more struggled to maintain his health, an ongoing issue throughout his career.
Davenport sustained an elbow injury in Week 3 that sidelined him for the remainder of the season, which was just one of several setbacks the Lions faced in their defense last year.
Following a frustrating debut season with the Lions, Joseph Grassano from Detroit Jock City thinks Davenport will only last one season in Motown.
Even though those statistics don’t indicate significant production in two games, his presence on the field prevented teams from concentrating exclusively on Hutchinson. As a result, Hutchinson along with the other members of the defensive line achieved greater productivity.
Nevertheless, the chances of Davenport coming back to Detroit in 2025 are still low. Za’Darius Smith has expressed his desire to stay, and it’s likely the Lions will select a young pass rusher in the draft, who is expected to come without the health issues that Davenport has.
The Lions head into the 2025 offseason with requirements at the edge position. Detroit lacks a long-term starting choice alongside Hutchinson, since Za’Darius Smith is 32 and in the last year of his deal, assuming the Lions keep him. Additionally, the numerous injuries the team experienced in 2024 indicates that greater depth is necessary.
Though it is still uncertain how the Lions will tackle their problems, it is clear that Davenport is very unlikely to be part of the answer. The Lions just cannot rely on Davenport for any sort of contribution.
If Davenport returns on a much lower contract as a backup, we have no problem with Detroit retaining him. However, the Lions are unable (and unwilling) to re-sign him with the aim of reinstating him in a vital defensive position.