As the Detroit Lions' season is officially over, it's time to take a look at their free agency situation and what's likely to come for their extremely talented - but injured - roster.
We still don't know what the team has in mind for several extensions that are likely to be doled out soon to players like Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell, but there were a few disappointments this season that just so happen to be in need of new deals headed into 2026. And, it doesn't seem likely that Detroit will be the team to hand them another lifeline.
The Lions have to shore up their offensive line in a big way, specifically at center, and they have to be able to afford to do so while other past-inked deals begin to impact their cash flow. That's why it just doesn't feel likely for these Lions to be back in 2026.
Lions that definitely won't be back in 2026
Amik Robertson (Updated after Week 18 postgame quote)
Robertson made it sound like he will not be returning to the Lions in 2026 with his postgame comments following the Lions' season finale win over the Chicago Bears. The free agent cornerback was tasked with a whole lot more than he anticipated this season with injuries to D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw impacting the Lions' secondary.
Robertson is either not expecting a new offer from Detroit, or is playing it coy. Either way, it does sound like he's done with his time in Detroit.
Marcus Davenport
After another down year from the edge rusher, it feels increasingly unlikely that Davenport will return to the Lions next season. General manager Brad Holmes cannot, again, insist that Detroit is good at pass rusher when all they've got is Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad making any noise there. Between a disappointing 2025 and his injury woes, this felt like his last hoorah with the Lions.
D.J. Reader
Reader is a defender that could simply be a casualty to the Lions' cap situation. They're going to need to pay so many other skill positions beginning in 2026, and also manage massive extensions. He'd likely be a lucrative add to any defense seeking a veteran defensive lineman with some upside left as a run defender. A reunion with his old coach in Aaron Glenn could be one to monitor.
Alex Anzalone
Anzalone and the Lions couldn't come to a new deal this past offseason, and that seemed to signal the beginning of the end of the relationship between the two sides beyond the 2025 season. Anzalone has been overshadowed by Campbell this season, and then he unfortunately wasn't afforded the opportunity to finish out his season with the Lions on a high note thanks to a concussion.
Anzalone is another veteran defender that could seek a reunion with Glenn and the Jets this offseason given their impending cap flexibility, but he should be sought out by many linebacker-needy teams.
Taylor Decker
Zagging as Frank Ragnow zigged, Decker has been soft launching a potential retirement the last few weeks. The 32 year old left tackle has been playing through injuries throughout the season, and has been looking a bit slow this season as a pass blocker. A Decker retirement would save the Lions $15 million in 2026, so it's not like Detroit would be any worse for wear in their pockets if Decker made that decision.
He was also quite emotional in his postgame availability following the Lions' win over the Bears. He's been playing through pain all of 2025, and it might have just been too much for him to handle and recover from headed into 2026.
The issue is that there aren't just prime tackles lying around for Detroit to snag in case of a retirement. This could add another huge, problematic hole to an offensive line already missing a long-term answer at center and left guard. We'll see what Decker hints at in future weeks.
Josh Paschal
Paschal is likely done in Detroit, having never played a snap in 2025. Detroit needs to revamp their pass rush with Hutchinson and Muhammad the focal points of that group, and they'll need far more reliable play than what they've gotten from Paschal and Davenport.
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Trystan Colon
Colon was a huge disappointment when asked to step up for Detroit this season, but there's really not much the team could've anticipated from him when they signed him as a "break glass in case of emergency" center. Colon's time is probably done in Detroit, especially since the team is likely to grab a center, or two, in free agency with much higher ceilings than Colon.
Dan Skipper
Skipper is another veteran put in a tough spot this season thanks to the numerous injuries to the Lions' offensive line. Jumbo lineups didn't work very well with him, and he also wasn't utilized as...wildly...as he was back in 2024 by the Lions offense. There may be a role for him if Decker does decide to step away from the game at backup and the team is not sold on Giovanni Manu's viability as a replacement, but the juice might not be worth the squeeze.
Additionally, Skipper told reporters quite emotionally that he was grateful for his time with the Lions. When mentioning a back injury he needed to get more clarity, he seemed to indicate that that injury might be what pushes the 31 year old tackle into retirement. If so, he had a very memorable last few seasons with the Lions.
Jamarco Jones
Jones is in the same boat as Skipper and Colon - wasn't a servicable backup, and will likely be allowed to walk in free agency unless the Lions are able to hold onto him (or Skipper) for a very, very cheap deal.
Anthony Firsker
Firsker was perfectly average when involved in the Lions offense this season, but didn't pop enough to justify another deal. While the injury status of Sam LaPorta headed into the 2026 season could change Detroit's logic on Firsker's value, they also have the option of re-signing a slightly better backup option in Shane Zylstra, instead.
Tyrus Wheat
Wheat is another defender likely to be shown the door by the Lions this offseason. He had a really solid preseason, but never popped consistently for Detroit as a pass rusher. The team seems keen on Muhammad, and they have to prioritize improving upon their depth at pass rusher this offseason - and, they must avoid treading water.
Michael Niese
Niese is servicable in the sense that the Lions do need more bodies behind Christian Mahogany at left guard, but beyond that, he's not invaluable. Niese is likely to walk this offseason with Detroit looking for a lot better insurance - and competition - behind Mahogany for 2026.
Jacob Saylors
Saylors essentially lost his job to Tom Kennedy about three-quarters of the way through the season. Having hit just 39 yards as his longest kick return on the year and often not able to muscle his way down the field for any additional yardage on special teams, he looked very replaceable. The former UFL star is likely to walk.