The Detroit Lions have stayed busy this offseason, working to preserve the strong core that helped them become back-to-back NFC North Champions, even though a Super Bowl appearance still eludes them.
Dan Campbell has proven to be the right coach for this team, but now he faces a major challenge with both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn gone. The team has already seen big roster changes, and more are likely on the way.
Sadly for fans, there appear to be two players who almost certainly won’t be with the team once May arrives.
1. Za’Darius Smith, DE
Former Green Bay star Za’Darius Smith, who Detroit picked up midseason, didn’t really click with the Lions, though he remains a highly regarded defensive free agent in this year’s market.
Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro, is now 32 and nearing the end of his career. While still effective with the right teammates, Hutchinson’s injury meant Smith didn’t get to show his full potential during his brief time with the team.
He could still return, but the odds are dropping fast based on the team’s current direction.
With the front office not treating him as a priority to re-sign, his departure seems imminent. Smith was likely seen as a short-term addition, and he’ll probably land with a new squad in 2025.
2. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB
Often overlooked, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin has been a core piece of Detroit’s special teams, playing at least 78% of those snaps the past two years. While he didn’t stand out on defense, he proved himself a valuable asset to a winning team.
It’s surprising the Lions haven’t brought him back, and each passing day makes a return look less likely. With expected losses on both sides of the ball, losing Reeves-Maybin is another blow. He was ranked 131st out of 189 linebackers by Pro Football Focus, but his main value lies in a role many don’t notice.
If Detroit declines across offense, defense, and special teams, that’s a serious issue that could hurt their progress. Hopefully, Campbell has a strategy to keep things on track despite likely losing these two key contributors.