The Detroit Lions are almost set to begin training camp, and they made one roster alteration before the preparation for the 2026 season starts later this week.
In need of more depth at linebacker, the Lions added Troy Reeder to the mix according to EnterSports Management. Reeder, formally of the Los Angeles Rams, was a free agent and fell into Detroit's lap at the perfect time. The Lions had lost Grant Stuard ironically to the Rams this offseason, and were looking for a way to replace not only his defensive presence, but special teams leadership.
Reeder comes into the mix to do just that. Much like Stuard, in his career, Reeder has mostly been a fantastic special teams player. In his six year career, he's logged 1,750 snaps on that side of the ball. Reeder also won a Super Bowl with the Rams, and has been a stable presence across the board for Los Angeles.
Last season, Stuard was a bit of a disappointment for the Lions. He put up just 19 total tackles and one tackle for loss on defense. While he was billed as a special teams ace last offseason, he didn't make enough of a case there to come back immediately as a free agent as many had assumed he would. The Lions not bringing him back at 27 years old was telling.
Reeder, meanwhile, is more seasoned at 31 years old. He has 335 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions in his career at linebacker. That gives him some production to rely on to compete with Damone Clark, Joe Bachie and Trevor Nowaske during camp. He should hit the ground running having experience on a veteran team with championship expectations.
Replacing a name like Alex Anzalone won't be a one-man job. A veteran like Reeder could have as much say in how successful the Lions are as Jack Campbell, the team's main starter.
Reeder's leadership should offer Lions seamless transition on defense
The Lions have a type when it comes to players. It involves showing grit no matter what role is asked, whether a superstar or the last man on the roster. To this end, Reeder should fit in very well given that has been the story of his entire career.
Reeder got his start as an undrafted free agent in the NFL, and clawed his way onto the Rams roster. After a brief stay with the Los Angeles Chargers and an offseason with the Minnesota Vikings, he returned to the Rams in 2023, staying until this offseason.
As he explained to the Rams social media team during Super Bowl media week in 2022, he's been inspired by the game of football, and has been privileged to give back to a game that has given much to him.
READ MORE: Lions might have to brace themselves to lose Kelvin Sheppard after this season
"I just think football's done so much for me. The friendships you make, the role models you have and all the different people you meet. Probably the most special thing to me, most of my best friends have been teammates. A lot of people I have looked up to the most have been older kids on older teams and it's just taught me an unbelievable work ethic and how to handle adversity. It's given me a platform to be able to give back to the community I came from and the community I live in now. This game's been so good to me and I just try and be good back to it."
In terms of philosophy, Reeder has plenty to share with other members of Detroit's team. As he said four years ago, the only thing he is interested in is hard work and finding a way to be valuable to his team.
"Hard work pays off. (It) doesn't matter where you were selected, once you get in the building it's what you can provide to the team and just figure out ways to provide value and do whatever you can. Hard work doesn't go unnoticed, and just keep grinding."
Reeder has seen a ton in his career, and the Lions adding him to the mix at this point is an advantage. Not only can he compete for snaps on defense, he figures to be just the kind of veteran leader the franchise could crave to round out their roster.
Add us as a preferred source on Google