Marcus Davenport Acknowledges the Pressure He Faces with the Lions Next Season
The Detroit Lions re-signed Marcus Davenport to a new contract, and the pass rusher knows he must stay healthy and deliver in 2025.
So far, the Detroit Lions haven’t made many big moves in free agency, which is surprising given their defensive needs.
Many expected the Lions to add an experienced pass rusher. They did sign one early, but it turned out to be Davenport, who was already on their roster in 2024. He returned on a one-year contract and hopes to prove that last season’s injury was just a fluke he can recover from quickly.
While fans were frustrated after losing a key player in Week 2, Davenport himself was devastated by missing another season and watching his teammates cover for him. That disappointment is now fueling his motivation for 2025.
“It was awful. Another year of being sidelined so early and just watching my guys handle the job I was supposed to do. Where do I see myself? After so many setbacks, I had to focus on myself. Right now, I’m just trying to do everything I can to be prepared for them.”
Davenport hopes this preparation will bring him the consistency he needs to refine his game.
“The biggest thing, especially after missing all these years, is consistency in work. Going into last season, they gave me steady snaps, built on that, and by the time the first game arrived, I felt so much better. The only thing that can improve how I feel now is reps.”
The Lions are counting on Davenport to turn things around. Given the roster cuts and the lack of veteran signings, it’s clear he will be expected to handle a major role this season. Hopefully, his offseason preparation puts him in a position to be reliable.
This year, Davenport will pair with Aidan Hutchinson to bring more power to the Lions’ pass rush. Playing alongside Hutchinson is an advantage for any defender, but Davenport knows that won’t matter unless he stays healthy and proves his worth first.
“For some reason, every time I think about playing with Aidan Hutchinson, I pull back a bit. I need to get on the field first. I need to prove I’m a dependable and healthy player, and everything else will fall into place. Once I prove it to myself, I think the rest will take care of itself.”
With these remarks, Davenport shows he understands the pressure he’s facing in Detroit. The Lions will rely on him for big performances, and the goal is for him to remain healthy and become the pass-rushing partner that Hutchinson deserves.