We're only one game into the 2026 season, and the Detroit Lions should already regret not keeping wide receiver Kalif Raymond. Not only did he shine in his first game since leaving the Lions, but he did so on the Chicago Bears, with Ben Johnson as the mastermind.
The Bears pounded the Carolina Panthers in week one, as they scored at least 14 points in every quarter en route to a 59-37 victory. Their 59 points is tied with three other teams for the second-most points ever scored in a season opener, behind only the 1973 Atlanta Falcons (62). Raymond was Chicago's leading receiver, coming up with eight receptions for 84 yards.
It didn't make much sense when it happened, but letting go of Raymond hurts even worse after week one.
The Lions should already regret not keeping Kalif Raymond
When Raymond was in Detroit, he was primarily used as a kick returner. However, Johnson seems to have unlocked something with Raymond as a wide receiver. In the win over the Panthers, Raymond ran 22 routes and was targeted nine times (per NextGen Stats). In five seasons with the Lions, he had nine or more targets just once, and it was in 2021.
No other Bears player had more than five targets on Sunday, so Raymond could be headed towards an important role in their offense. The Lions are currently lacking a WR3, and Raymond could've been a perfect fit. Isaac TeSlaa is supposed to be WR3, but after a summer of regression, he saw just one target against the Saints.
READ MORE: Dream start for Lions defense turns into a victory nightmare vs. Saints
There is still some hope for TeSlaa (24 years old), but he might not be cut out for a starting lineup in the NFL. If Raymond ends up having a solid year as a receiver, and the Lions can't figure out their WR3 situation, fans will begin to look at general manager Brad Holmes much differently, if they haven't already.
The last thing Lions fans need on Thanksgiving is to see Raymond and Johnson laughing over a turducken.
Add us as a preferred source on Google