The Detroit Lions got started on their roster cuts Monday afternoon. After news they will release Kaden Davis came, via NFL insider Jordan Schultz, they went bigger to let go of a wide receiver. Schultz has also reported the Lions are releasing Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Peoples-Jones, a Detroit native and University of Michigan alum, was acquired from the Cleveland Browns at last year's trade deadline. Being acquired midseason like that put him behind the eight-ball to make any real impact, and gave him an easy mulligan. But the Lions believed in his potential enough to bring him back on a one-year deal in March, eyeing what a full offseason, training camp etc. could do to foster an emergence that seems to be in him somewhere (61 catches for 839 yards for the Browns in 2022).
With the departure of Josh Reynolds feeling inevitable and eventually happening, Peoples-Jones was the proverbial favorite to fill that bigger-bodied receive role in the Lions' offense. But a uninspired training camp, during which Dan Campbell did not hesitate to call him out, followed by a preseason where he did next to nothing good, sealed his fate.
A play pointed out by Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire during the third preseason game had to have been the nail in the metaphorical coffin for Peoples-Jones.
UDFA Isaiah Williams telling vet Donovan Peoples-Jones where he's supposed to be on a play. DPJ doesn't get there and the Lions burn a timeout to save the penalty
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) August 24, 2024
Lions make the too-easy move to cut Donovan Peoples-Jones
Peoples-Jones is now a free agent, and can sign with any team he'd like. Mike Payton of AtoZ Spots offered the idea the Lions could look to add him back on their practice squad if it comes to it, but that seems very unlikely based on what he put out there for them this summer.
It's disappointing that Peoples-Jones couldn't seize a clear opportunity that was in front of him to fill an important role in the Detroit offense this year. But he made it way too easy for the Lions to let him go based on what he was putting out there in camp and preseason games, as they continue to search for the full answer to the question of how Reynolds will be replaced.