After Carlton Davis III departed for an opportunity with the New England Patriots, he and the Detroit Lions went on very different paths for the 2025 season.
Davis was a part of a New England defense that helped land the team in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks. The Lions, on the other hand, missed the postseason for the first time since 2023 because of numerous injuries to their defense - specifically, numerous injuries to their secondary.
Davis being allowed to walk might've felt like a mistake at the time, but D.J. Reed - his replacement - hasn't felt like a misstep. But, we've been waiting to see when Davis would get the chance to exact some sort of revenge on the Lions since he walked for the AFC East, despite how well things have worked out for him in New England.
We finally have that date: November 15 at 9:30 AM EST, the Lions will be hosting the Patriots for their Munich game.
Davis' date for revenge against Lions is set with international contest scheduled
Davis had a decent first year with the Patriots in 2025, recording 10 passes defended and 39 solo tackles in 17 games played. He was stellar the year prior with Detroit in 2024, logging 56 total tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions, and 11 passes defended in just 13 games.
Davis told reporters after leaving the Lions for the Patriots that he was seeking an opportunity to lead a defense, which seemed to imply some disappointment with how the Lions had planned to utilize Davis in 2025 had he stayed.
Additionally, during Radio Row held ahead of the Super Bowl, Davis mentioned to Dave Birkett of Detroit Free Press that the structure of the deal that Detroit had presented to him during free agency in 2025 was simply not satisfactory, but he also said he had no ill feelings towards the Lions' front office or coaching staff over it - they just weren't going to meet eye to eye.
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It's rare to see the Lions get to face off with multiple AFC East opponents in one season, and the Patriots are one of three very fun choices from within that division that Detroit will be looking to defeat in 2026. We already know they'll be looking to spoil the Buffalo Bills' fun in Week 2 in primetime, and that they'll be playing Aaron Glenn's New York Jets at some point in 2026.
The Patriots, and Davis, are going to be chomping at the bit to prove they were meant to be in the Super Bowl in 2025 after questions around the easiness of their 2025 schedule. The Lions are an excellent opponent to try and beat to emphasize that point.
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