The Detroit Lions’ 2024 season came to a disappointing end in the Divisional Round, as the Washington Commanders outperformed them in every aspect of the game.
Now, Detroit shifts its focus to the offseason earlier than expected, with several key decisions to make in free agency. While the core of the roster remains intact, the supporting pieces around it will inevitably change, as they do each year.
The Lions have several notable free agents they would likely prefer to keep, but general manager Brad Holmes has shown a willingness to adapt quickly when necessary (as seen with the David Montgomery-for-Jamaal Williams swap two years ago). Detroit remains an attractive destination for free agents, which will help in retooling the roster.
Some decisions will be straightforward, while others are more complex. Regardless, these five Lions players won’t return next season.
5. DT Levi Onwuzurike
Onwuzurike finally had a healthy season, appearing in 16 of 17 regular-season games (10 starts) and logging 698 total snaps, including the playoffs. While his basic stats—28 tackles and 1.5 sacks—weren’t eye-catching, he registered 13 quarterback hits and ranked 24th among defensive tackles in Pro Football Focus’ overall grades.
With Alim McNeill’s availability for next season uncertain due to a torn ACL, Detroit might consider re-signing Onwuzurike. However, after proving his value when healthy, he could command a strong market in free agency, potentially pricing himself out of the Lions’ budget. If that happens, the team may opt for a more affordable replacement.
4. QB Hendon Hooker
Throughout last offseason, the Lions made it clear that Hooker had significant development ahead of him. His inability to surpass Nate Sudfeld for the No. 2 quarterback spot was concerning—until Sudfeld’s struggles made it impossible for the team to keep him.
Detroit reportedly explored adding Daniel Jones after his release from the Giants before ultimately bringing Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement. Bridgewater’s experience was viewed as more valuable than Hooker’s inexperience heading into the playoffs, which led to Hooker being demoted to the emergency No. 3 role against Washington.
Hooker, who turned 27 in January, has already spent two years of his four-year rookie contract without a clear path to starting. With Jared Goff under contract through 2028, the Lions are likely to seek a new backup quarterback this offseason. If Hooker isn’t firmly established as Goff’s primary backup entering his third season, Detroit should explore trade options. Given that Hooker was a projected first-round pick before tearing his ACL in college, teams searching for quarterback help may be willing to take a chance on him.
3. CB Emmanuel Moseley
The Lions initially signed Moseley in 2023 free agency despite him recovering from a torn ACL. Unfortunately, injuries continued to plague him—he tore his other ACL two snaps into his Detroit debut in Week 5 of 2023, yet the Lions still brought him back on another one-year deal in 2024.
This past August, Moseley suffered a torn pectoral during joint practices with the Giants, delaying his season debut until Week 12, where he only played on special teams. A pregame injury before the Thanksgiving matchup sidelined him again, and he was later placed on the Non-Football Illness list, ending his season.
Despite his talent, Moseley’s injury history has prevented him from making an impact. The Lions won’t re-sign him for a third time.
2. DE Marcus Davenport
Detroit took a gamble on Davenport in 2023, hoping he could complement Aidan Hutchinson. However, injuries derailed his season—he played only three games before suffering an arm/elbow injury on a questionable play by Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson.
Davenport has now played just six games over the past two seasons and has surpassed 500 snaps only once in his seven-year career. The Lions have been willing to take risks on injury-prone players, but this experiment didn’t pan out. Davenport will likely be moving on to his fourth team in four seasons.
1. S Ifeatu Melifonwu
Melifonwu’s NFL career has been defined by injuries. An ankle/Achilles issue in training camp landed him on injured reserve, and when he was close to returning, a severely dislocated finger required surgery. He finally made his season debut in Week 16 but then suffered a hamstring injury in the playoff loss to Washington, cutting his season short.
Melifonwu has played in just 37 of a possible 68 regular-season games. Even in his one fully healthy season (2023), he spent a significant portion of the year limited to special teams due to a hand injury.
Though he flashed potential in a strong stretch late last season, availability remains his biggest issue. The Lions are unlikely to make a strong effort to bring him back.