Isaac TeSlaa was drafted last year, confusing Detroit Lions fans who were pretty comfortable with WR3 belonging to Kalif Raymond. TeSlaa didn't end up taking up a lion's share of snaps from Raymond, but he looked good in flashes throughout the year.
Raymond also had an excellent 2025 season despite the Lions' overall struggles. Per PFF, the most improved wide receiver in the NFL in the second half of the year was Raymond. Thomas Valentine wrote of the pick:
"On the offensive side of the ball, veteran Kalif Raymond provided some valuable experience in the second half of the season. From Week 10 onward, Raymond compiled an 82.0 PFF grade — 14th among wide receivers — and caught all 15 targets for 225 yards and a touchdown. Raymond’s 2.34 yards per route run ranked 14th, and his 8.9 yards after the catch per reception were fourth."
That could very well be what does the Lions in in their pursuit of Raymond again in free agency. The veteran receiver should get some recent offers from WR-needy squads who would give him a much larger focus in their offense than what Detroit can offer, given they already have Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Between that, and their cap situation, it feels like Raymond is all but gone this offseason while the Lions look to TeSlaa to become their bonafide WR3.
Lions seem primed to let fan favorite walk in free agency
Raymond's current market value, per Spotrac, sits at just one year and $3.5 million. That's more than affordable for Detroit, but only if they go through with a few restructurings ahead of free agency. So far, there's been no movement on that front, and we're days away from the real scuttlebutt period of the NFL offseason beginning during the combine.
With TeSlaa, the Lions have a player on their rookie deal locked in through the 2028 season. That's already an affordable WR3 option on the books.
READ MORE: Pre-Combine mock has Lions filling notable void with what'd be a massive steal
Obviously, Raymond is the more experienced of the two with well-established chemistry with Jared Goff. But, the team didn't take TeSlaa for no reason - he's the next man up if Raymond walks.
Detroit has quite a few head-scratching decisions to make in free agency, beginning with Raymond and crescendoing with Al-Quadin Muhammad. It'd be great to have Raymond stay on board, even as a returner and mentor to Jackson Meeks if he's still with the team through camp and preseason.
But, if he's not trying to take a demotion after having such a good 2025 season, it's fair to expect him to leave for a grander opportunity.