The Detroit Lions didn’t make many big splashes in free agency this offseason on the heels of a disappointing season.
That’ll happen when you have as much in-house talent to take care of as the Lions do. Linebacker Jack Campbell got a contract extension after a stellar season. There's also still a Jahmyr Gibbs extension to worry about, and decisions still loom on tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch.
But that doesn’t mean Detroit didn’t make any moves. Their highest-profile signing was center Cade Mays to a three-year $25 million deal, yet there’s another one that flew a bit under the radar but could end up being a major pickup: defensive back Roger McCreary.
Detroit brought in the four-year veteran on a one-year, $1.4 million contract. The definition of a prove-it deal. And as it turns out, McCreary could get plenty of chances to prove a lot if he can stay healthy.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles highlighted McCreary as one of 50 "under-the-radar players who could shape" the 2026 season.
Pereles wrote:
"McCreary's role may have increased drastically following Terrion Arnold's arrest and release from the Lions. McCreary can play in the slot and outside if needed and has generally provided solid play; last year, he was PFF's No. 25-rated cornerback. The Lions need all the help they can get in an injury-ravaged secondary."
Roger McCreary might be the Detroit Lions' secret weapon
The Lions’ secondary is in a state of disarray, to say the least. Terrion Arnold's legal troubles and abrupt exit essentially canceled the team's long-term plan at that position. Detroit’s other starting cornerback, D.J. Reed, is coming off a bad year and reportedly had stem-cell treatment in Panama this offseason.
The Lions have arguably the NFL’s best safety tandem with Branch and Kerby Joseph, but neither one is healthy right now. It’s unknown when either will be back on the field anytime soon or if they can regain their prior form after suffering an Achilles tear and a mysterious knee injury, respectively.
Plus, Detroit let veteran nickel cornerback Amik Robertson walk this offseason. Right now, the secondary looks like the team's most glaring weakness. The Lions desperately need someone to step up and play well.
Enter McCreary, a 2022 second-round pick by the Tennessee Titans. He played primarily outside cornerback as a rookie before moving to the slot in his second year. That’s mostly been his wheelhouse ever since.
McCreary was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in October last season. He dealt with injuries and played very little defensive snaps until Week 18, mostly used as a special teamer.
However, McCreary played a total of 71 defensive snaps for the Rams in their three playoff games, for a share of 33 percent of the plays. He recorded eight tackles and a pass defended in the playoffs, and 37 tackles, one interception, a sack and two passes defended combined for the Rams and Titans in the regular season.
At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, McCreary has solid size for a cornerback and possesses the ability to play both inside and outside. His run defense, physicality and discipline all stood out early in his career with Tennessee. He did some good things in 2025 and has room to grow for a Detroit squad that badly needs another corner to emerge.
"Any position they need me at," McCreary said after signing with the Lions. "I know I play a lot of nickel, corner but I feel like I can play either position and that's the mindset I'm going into."
If McCreary is healthy, he’s a prime candidate for Detroit’s starting nickel job (likely competing with Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Keith Abney II and Christian Izien). He could also be in the mix for some outside snaps, likely competing with Rock Ya-Sin.
McCreary is probably going to be important to this defense purely out of necessity, especially if no help at cornerback is coming.
But if he can get back to his pre-hip injury form, he could also just be legitimately good. And even if he can’t (hip injuries are notoriously tough), the Lions only gave him $1.4 million. It'll be a big season for him.
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