Lions defensive end John Cominsky says he’ll test free agency

It seems like a foregone conclusion John Cominsky will re-sign with the Detroit Lions, but as should be expected he will test the open market.

The Detroit Lions claimed John Cominsky off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons last offseason, and and it worked out so well has been open about his desire to re-sign. He performed so well that Pro Football Focus has deemed him the free agent Lions can simply ill-afford to lose.

All signs point to Cominsky re-signing with the Lions, but it has not happened yet. As with any player who is an unrestricted free agent, he can and should see what the broader market looks like for him.

And, via a recent conversation with Zack Jackson of The Athletic, Cominsky indeed intends to test the free agent market. He said intends to sign somewhere “after a few days.” That timeframe could easily cover the “legal tampering period” before the new league year starts next Wednesday.

"I think they want me there. I want to be there. We’ll see how it all works out,” There’s a business side to this. Maybe another team will bring some numbers and the Lions will have to see what they want to do. I hope it works out there, but I really don’t know.”"

Lions may have some competition for John Cominsky

The Lions were one of eight teams to put in a waiver claim on Cominsky, and they can thank being No. 2 in the waiver priority for getting him. Then he had four sacks, five tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits and 17 pressures over 14 games last season. He missed three games after thumb surgery, and played the rest of the season with a club on his hand.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo pointed to Cominsky as a free agent sleeper who could cash in rather nicely.

It still feels like like a virtual certainty Cominsky will be back in a Lions’ uniform next season, and maybe beyond. But he’s going to see what other teams may have to offer, as he should do to maximize what he can get in a new contract.