Lions Free-Agency Tracker 2026: Signings, departures, cap space analysis, and more

"The way we operate, we want to avoid windows."

General manager Brad Holmes said that to Rich Eisen ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, in response to a question about whether the Detroit Lions' window was closing up or still wide open. Ahead of free agency, this refrain should be front of mind for every fan wondering just how aggressive, or passive, Holmes plans to be.

They have a lot of major roster needs, namely finding a No. 2 to Aidan Hutchinson. In addition to that, Holmes and the Lions' coaching staff have to locate proper depth at cornerback and safety, a LB replacement for Alex Anzalone if he walks in free agency, and a ton of help on Detroit's offensive line.

Oh, did we mention that Taylor Decker was surprisingly released ahead of free agency, leaving another gaping hole on the Lions' offensive line?

Anyway - with recent news that Detroit is looking to move Tate Ratledge to center, and that they're not looking to spend too much in free agency to try and rectify a ton of their roster holes, we might be in for a quiet kickoff to the new year. Still, if there's anything Lions fans have learned in recent years, it's that even the signings on the margins could matter greatly (see: Legion Of Whom).

Let's get into what's sure to be a pivotal free agency period for Detroit, despite a potentially boring list of acquisitions.

Free-agency snapshot

Cap space remaining: $26,211,356
Biggest signing: Cade Mays, C
Biggest departure: Alex Anzalone, LB
Most surprising move: Letting Al-Quadin Muhammad walk for very little.
Biggest remaining need: Edge rusher
Last updated: 1:30pm EST, March 19, 2026

Detroit finally converted Jared Goff's contract, turning his base salary into signing bonus and creating $35 million in cap space as a result. This is on the third day of negotiations between teams and free agents, so maybe this signals that the Lions are about to get some bigger deals done at the kickoff to the league year.

Or, maybe not. We explain here why this move shouldn't excite fans too much.

We don't have the full details on how any Lions signings are impacting their cap just yet with one signing coming without details. We do know some details of their center signing, though.

The morning of free agency, we said that the Lions' biggest need was at center. Well, they felt the same, going out and signing Cade Mays to kick off their free agency. Now, their biggest remaining need is signing an edge rusher. They could re-sign Al-Quadin Muhammad, but there are also some really intriguing outside free agency options to consider.

Major Lions signings

Cade Mays, C (per Aaron Wilson)

The Lions have their starting center for 2026. Mays just signed a very reasonable three year, $25 million deal to come to the Lions from the Carolina Panthers. NFL insider Aaron Wilson was first with the news. Detroit really had to find a center in free agency, but they couldn't afford to swing big on Tyler Linderbaum. They get Mays as a consolation, and a nice one at that.

Mays was a decent starting center for the Panthers this past season, sliding in at that position for the first time in his career and allowing zero sacks through 726 snaps played. Mays provides an answer to Detroit's question of whether to put Tate Ratledge in at center: no need.

Read about how the Lions won in the center market with this signing here.

Jake Bates, K, ERFA (per Dave Birkett)

Ahead of free agency, the Lions tendered Bates a deal to keep him rostered through 2026, per Detroit Free Press's Dave Birkett. The 2nd-year kicker has shown great promise alongside Jack Fox, despite a slight dip in efficiency in 2025.

Isiah Pacheco, RB (per Tom Pelissero)

The Lions have their David Montgomery replacement (well, at least, they hope they do).

Pacheco lands in Detroit on a one-year deal worth just $1.81 million. The Kansas City Chiefs back is only 28 years old, but he's had some concerning injuries in the past that could put a hamper on Lions fans' celebration over getting a Super Bowl-winning running back.

Despite that, Pacheco on a one-year prove it deal isn't too shabby. If he can return to form from earlier in his career, and if the Lions can fortify their offensive line even further for him and Jahmyr Gibbs, then the Lions could be looking at quite an excellent get at RB2.

Malcolm Rodriguez, LB (per Jordan Schultz)

Rodriguez is back with the Lions on a one-year deal, helping to add back to the teams' linebacker depth after they lost Alex Anzalone. Rodriguez was coming off a torn ACL last year when he played in just seven games, so it's tough to judge his effectiveness as a backup linebacker without having seen a full year back on the saddle from him. 2026 is now that year.

The re-signing of Rodriguez is a win-win for Detroit. If he balls out, Detroit will benefit greatly in the win-loss column, most likely, while Rodriguez will earn a new deal at just 27 years old. If he can't produce at the same level that he did in his first years with the team, then the Lions can easily cut their losses beginning in 2027.

Roger McCreary, CB (per Jeremy Fowler)

McCreary is coming off a season between the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans, and he performed pretty solidly between both clubs. He's a starting corner with the ability to immediately replace Ennis Rakestraw Jr. as a nickel in Kelvin Sheppard's defense. This is probably going to be one of the Lions' more underrated signings if Sheppard figures out how to utilize him properly.

Major Lions departures

Alex Anzalone, LB (per Adam Schefter)

Adam Schefter reported that Anzalone would be walking for a 2-year, $17 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Anzalone leaving felt like an inevitable result of the Lions' cap woes in addition to how much they like both Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes in their linebacker room.

They'll certainly be in the market to land an additional linebacker to help them against the run in 2026, although their cap situation raises some questions about their ability to really remedy that. Will they look to the draft in order to address this hole? Or, will they make some aggressive restructurings shortly in order to find a replacement for Anzalone?

Read about why this departure matters for a Jack Campbell extension here.

Amik Robertson, CB (per Tom Pelissero)

Robertson is walking for a new deal with the Washington Commanders, according to Tom Pelissero. Robertson was one of the Lions' most reliable cornerbacks, leaving a hole for Detroit to address in their secondary. While he was a backup, given their injury woes throughout the season, he was more like a starter with how much Kelvin Sheppard relied on him.

Detroit still has a few smaller signings they can make for their secondary in free agency, especially with the pop that their Legion of Whom had throughout the year. While losing Roberston hurts, they might've found a few cheap diamonds in the rough thanks to a down year.

Read about the biggest winner of Robertson's departure: the Legion of Whom.

Roy Lopez, NT/DT (per Tom Pelissero)

Lopez is out as he leaves to re-join the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year, $11.5 million deal. This is a doozy, because the Lions need to be adding depth to their defensive line, not losing it. And, Lopez was a great addition to the line in 2025. He was the pop at pass rush that they were missing from Alim McNeill and DJ Reader, and he would've been a great signing assuming Reader walks, as well.

The upcoming draft, at least, presents some options for the Lions at defensive tackle that they should consider, at least on Day 2.

Kyle Allen, QB (per Dianna Russini)

Allen, who basically ended Hendon Hooker's tenure with the Lions by outplaying him throughout the preseason last year, has walked for a new backup job with the Buffalo Bills. The deal, per Russini, is worth two years and $6.1 million. Allen was a great backup to Jared Goff, and that role is only going to grow with importance as Goff ages.

This makes us feel two things about the Lions' offseason approach: there are still plenty of quarterbacks on the market to trade for that could act as great backups to Goff, and the Lions really need to worry about shoring up their offensive line with the hole that now exists behind Goff on the depth chart.

Wondering where the Lions can look for their next backup QB? Start here.

Kalif Raymond, WR (per Ian Rapoport)

Raymond is leaving the Lions for a new deal with the Chicago Bears - because, why not just rub salt in the wound?

Kidding aside, it's nice to see Raymond get a new opportunity, especially with the Lions potentially looking to reduce his role with Isaac TeSlaa in the building. While they are losing a valuable returner with this departure, they're going to gain more insight into just how valuable TeSlaa is to their offense. They need a WR3, and TeSlaa immediately steps in here as a no-cost solution to that.

Ben Johnson gets back a weapon he got a ton out of during his time with Detroit, and Chicago also adds another receiver to their room after trading D.J. Moore to the Buffalo Bills.

Al-Quadin Muhammad, EDGE, UFA

Muhammad had a really solid season for the Lions on a one-year deal, showcasing his ability to act as a solid run defender as well as a good No. 2 next to Aidan Hutchinson. But, just as it was an issue for Hutchinson, Muhammad's huge games came in bunches and not consistently throughout the year.

Muhammad did eventually leave for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on a one-year, $6 million deal. That's...far less than expected considering the year he had, and it would've actually been nice for Detroit to try and get him back for depth, at least.

The draft offers a path forward for the Lions with Muhammad walking, though. Per Spotrac, he's due a deal in the range of 2 years, $15.7 million. If Detroit can't woo him back, they'd get a nice compensatory pick for the trouble of losing him. Not a bad return.

Potential Lions departures to watch

DJ Reader, DT, UFA

The veteran defensive tackle is a big name to watch in free agency for Detroit because they need to be building up their trenches on both sides of the ball, not seeing pieces walk. They have a lower cost solution in Roy Lopez they can pay instead of Reader if he does decide to walk, but it'd be a major blow to their run defense in 2026.

Reader, who is set to be 32 at the start of the 2026 season, is projected to earn a new deal valued at 2 years, $7.7 million. That feels a little too good for Holmes to pass up, in addition to bringing back Lopez for depth. But, he will have suitors.

Marcus Davenport, EDGE, UFA

A re-signing of Davenport would be like hearing an ominous gong reverberating throughout the city of Detroit. Davenport had one more chance to prove that he could be a proper sidekick to Hutchinson this season, and he was thoroughly outshined by Muhammad in addition to being, once again, unreliable thanks to injuries.

Davenport is not going to be worth the squeeze for Holmes, unless they lose Muhammad and panic about their ability to either land another starter in free agency elsewhere.

Maybe he's decent as a depth signing, but he cannot be considered a serious starting option for Detroit any longer. He's projected to be due a 1-year deal, and that might be enticing enough for the Lions to give him a roster spot.

Other departures

Graham Glasgow, C

Glasgow was released by the Lions ahead of free agency, clearing up $5.5 million cap space. The teams' 2025 starting center was thrown to the wolves (lions?) last year, being asked to slide from guard to center after Frank Ragnow's shocking retirement. The result was porous pass protection and run blocking throughout the year, which completely bogged down the Lions' offense.

Glasgow was a good sport about it, and thanked the team for all the opportunities they'd granted him over his career. It doesn't sound like he's returning to the NFL this season after such a struggle-filled season.

David Montgomery, RB

Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans right before free agency for several draft picks and center Juice Scruggs, ending the Sonic and Knuckles experiment and stripping the team of a big cog within their offense. It's obvious that Jahmyr Gibbs is the RB1, though, and Montgomery is talented enough to be one, too. So, he was granted his wish to land with the Texans.

The trade gave about $3.5 million back to the Lions' cap, and cleared the runway for a Gibbs extension.

Taylor Decker, LT

Decker's request for a release (and the Lions' probably honoring of that request) comes as a surprise, to be sure, but Decker's time was ticking with Detroit since the end of the 2025 season. Even though he decided not to retire, head coach Dan Campbell gave really interesting thoughts on Decker ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine that probably raised some eyebrows.

Detroit is now in need of a starting left tackle. That's huge. Perhaps Penei Sewell can swing into that spot, while we're going about reshuffling the Lions' current starters on the line into positions of need.

Best targets remaining

Cam Jordan, EDGE, New Orleans Saints

The longtime Saints defender is officially a free agent. Ahead of Monday's kickoff to the chaos, Jordan and the Saints couldn't come to an agreement on a new deal, making him open to signing with a different team for the first time in his career. He's got ties to Dan Campbell from the head coach's days in New Orleans, and he's an ever-reliable edge.

Jordan might be 37 to begin the 2026 season, but he's still putting up some ridiculous numbers. He just finished up his 14th season in the league with 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He'd basically be a perfect sidekick to Hutchinson on a short-term deal. If the Lions see Muhammad leave and they really don't want to give Davenport another shot, Jordan is their guy.

Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys

Clowney just finished up his 11th season with the Cowboys stacking up 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and most notably, four passes defended. He could be a great complimentary piece next to Hutchinson on a cheap deal, with Spotrac projecting him to get a deal to the tune of $5.7 million AAV.

With Jordan potentially out of the Lions' pay range, Clowney could be the exact kind of veteran to bring in to mentor whichever edge Detroit takes in the draft.

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

The Lions did bring in Teddy Bridgewater for backup QB help, but adding a younger arm to be mentored by both Goff and Bridgewater would be elite. Richardson could potentially be had for a similar package that got Justin Fields sent over to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Richardson could be shopped after the Colts signed Daniel Jones to a new deal, and his recent stumbling could have lessened the cost for Detroit to snag him. Goff is not going to be young forever, and it'd be smart to have an insurance policy in the QB room that isn't just the aura of Bridgewater.

Joel Bitonio, G, Cleveland Browns

If Bitonio doesn't retire, he could have a decent shot at competing for the starting left guard role with Detroit. Christian Mahogany doesn't have a locked-in spot on the line yet, while second-year Ratledge certainly feels like an immovable piece. Bitonio had decent grades last season with the Browns, rounding out with a 70.7 overall grade from PFF.

If Detroit could get him for cheaper than his Spotrac AAV of $12 million, he'd be an excellent fit for their timeline.

Depth signings and minor moves

Larry Borom, T: contract terms unknown

Borom is a swing tackle who can backup whoever the Lions have at left or right tackle in 2026. He seems like a good Dan Skipper replacement, especially given the Lions' seeming lack of faith in Giovanni Manu's development.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB: 1-year deal, details unknown

Bridgewater is back for the Lions as the team is looking to shore up their QB room. Bridgewater is not necessarily the flashiest, or really the most viable, backup option on the market. But, he does provide leadership to Detroit's locker room and some steadiness to the offense and its communication. That's huge for a Lions team about to deal with its third offensive coordinator in three years.

Rock Ya-Sin, CB: 1-year, $4 million

Ya-Sin was a key depth piece for the Lions last season, providing some decent starts for Detroit in the face of a ton of injuries in their secondary. With Amik Robertson gone, it felt important for the Lions to bring back Ya-Sin, even on a small deal. They did just that, adding him back to the fold alongside Kelvin Sheppard. He'll probably be in a backup role once again.

Christian Izien, CB: 1-year deal,

Izien is an undrafted cornerback who has spent the last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero was first with the news. Izien is a likely depth add to an injured safety room, with Brian Branch out for a good chunk of the 2026 season as he recovers from a torn Achilles, and with Kerby Joseph managing a knee issue.

Welcome the newest member of the Legion of Whom.

Trevor Nowaske, LB: deal unknown

Nowaske and Tom Kennedy were both brought back on cheaper deals, per Pride of Detroit's Jeremy Reisman, although details of their new contracts are unknown at this time. Nowaske is a fine depth linebacker who can provide some relief to Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez.

Tom Kennedy, WR: deal unknown

As mentioned, Kennedy is returning to the Lions on a cheaper deal than what he, and Nowaske, would've received had they been tendered by the team. Kennedy might be the Lions' cheapest option to replace Kalif Raymond as a returner in 2026. That's not a terrible idea, either, as he showed flashes there in 2025.

Tyler Conklin, TE: one-year deal

Conklin - no, not that one - is coming over to the Lions by way of the Los Angeles Chargers. That's according to agent Mike McCartney. Conklin did not have a great 2025 season, according to Chargers expert Jason Reed. It's nice that the team is adding tight end depth, especially after Sam LaPorta missed a lot of time with a back injury, but it's not the depth you want to see prioritized.

D.J. Wonnum, EDGE: one-year, $6 million

Wonnum is not going to come in and wreck anything on behalf of the Lions' defense, but he's a nice depth signing for a low-cost. While he was paid the exact amount of money that Al-Quadin Muhammad was, he'll probably command less snaps than he would've following a 10+ sack season.

Damone Clark, LB: deal unknown

Clark, a former Houston Texan, comes over to the Lions to add to their linebacker depth. Additionally, he could be seen as a special teams weapon by Detroit after Grant Stuard's departure in free agency. You can never have too much competition at such a demanding position, and Clark had some solid grade pre-draft prior to his debut in 2022.

Of note, and kudos to Lions expert Jeff Risdon for digging this up: Clark got some rave reviews from Kelvin Sheppard back in 2022 during the Senior Bowl. Seems like a great fit for him.

Greg Dortch, WR: deal unknown

Dortch is likely coming in to compete for a special teams role with the Lions. The former New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams receiver has been a speedy, punchy punt returner throughout his short career. He's the first player from Arizona to follow Drew Petzing to Detroit.

Myles Adams, DL: deal unknown

Adams is returning to Detroit after spending 2024 with the team. He's DE depth for the Lions amid a quiet free agency on that front. Adams is, once again, not a solution to Detroit's huge hole alongside Aidan Hutchinson at the EDGE. But, he's familiar insurance for them to add back to their locker room.