2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Longgone]

13 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

I'm not wanting to rely on a guy why was an injured rookie and didn't play a single snap last season.  But let's suppose Hassanein is the situational pass rusher and isn't as strong against the run. What's to believe they would keep him beyond this year? If he can't play against the run, be a 3 down guy, or slide along the line, why wouldn't they just get rid of him like every other situational pass rusher they've had?

Where did anyone get the idea Hassanein won't be strong against the run? He's raw in every aspect, but stout enough, strong enough and motivated enough to develop.

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, Stanley70 said:

Wonnum reminds me of when the Tigers acquire an injury prone SP that is coming off a year where he had a 4.65 ERA. But had a 3.25 ERA three years earlier. 

I don't think Wonnum has ever been a 3.25 ERA guy.

More like a 3.80 to 4.40 ERA guy... Who had an injury 3 years ago and a slow recovery (infection I believe) 2 years ago but started in 15 of 16 games last year.

For the Carolina Panthers.

Who played him out in space as a 6' 5" 258 OLB'er.

In coverage.

So they decided he would be better as a "Closer" than as an "innings-eating" mid-rotation guy.

Seems smart to me.

What do the Lions want with him?

To play him at DE opposite Hutch, not as the star, or starter, but as the "innings eating" mid-rotation guy. Someone who is good at setting the edge against the run and can "run into" several sacks when the QB is trying to "get the **** away from that Hutch dude...". What is Wonnum's forte? Setting the edge at DE against the run. And walking into a few sacks when the QB is running for his life away from a DE like Hutch.

It seems to me the Lions want Wonnum to be a mid-rotation "innings eating" 4.00 ERA guy who stabilizes the rotation.

The rotation. Part of a rotation. 

Hmmm... I don't think we need anything more from Wonnum than to be a mid-rotation "innings-eater" 4.00 ERA guy.

Sort of like...

Exactly what he is.

IMO.

 

 

Edited 18 hours ago by 1984Echoes

[Motown Bombers]

Wonnum has played in 15 or more games 4 out of the last 5 years and 14 or more 5 out of the last 6. Where is this injury prone coming from?

[1984Echoes]

1 minute ago, Motown Bombers said:

Wonnum has played in 15 or more games 4 out of the last 5 years and 14 or more 5 out of the last 6. Where is this injury prone coming from?

From people who are searching for any possible way to put him down and therefore because he had one injury they are going to use that to the fullest...

Or at least that's what it looks like to me.

[Motown Bombers]

1 minute ago, 1984Echoes said:

From people who are searching for any possible way to put him down and therefore because he had one injury they are going to use that to the fullest...

Or at least that's what it looks like to me.

It's truly bizarre. He really only seems to have one injury his entire career. People would have been ecstatic giving millions more to Crosby or Hendrickson coming off injuries. 

[1984Echoes]

Yes.

[Sports_Freak]

3 hours ago, Motown Bombers said:

Hole at TE? I mean they have one of the top TEs plus multiple backups. How many TEs do you want? They have two starting DTs. McCreary is the starting nickel. He graded out better than Robertson. Arnold and Reed are your starters. Rock is your depth at both CB and Safety along with Izien. People need to relax. 

I've heard our new OC likes to use 3 TE sets. So with our injury history, the more the better. 😉

[Sports_Freak]

32 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

It's truly bizarre. He really only seems to have one injury his entire career. People would have been ecstatic giving millions more to Crosby or Hendrickson coming off injuries. 

Twitter is full of nothing but negatives about the signing. Really screaming about how bad Brad screwed up by the signing. I don't understand it either.

[Hongbit]

11 minutes ago, Sports_Freak said:

Twitter is full of nothing but negatives. 

This applies to everything everywhere.

[Motown Bombers]

This signing flew under the radar. He really hasn’t been good but worth taking a look at. 

 

[1984Echoes]

He's a special teams guy...

Played 65% of Dallas's ST snap counts the past two years.

Deep SAM depth but so deep we hopes he never sees a D snap. Not even a rotation guy. Just ST's and the deepest part of defensive depth.

Just my 2 cents.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

As a backup this signing is whatever. It's a depth signing and nothing more. So I can't get mad about it and I can't pump my fist with exuberance about it. If he is taking more special teams minutes than maybe that means Rodrigo is sliding into more of a starting role at LB and he's taking those minutes.

Edited 17 hours ago by Mr.TaterSalad

[Stanley70]

The guy had 3 sacks in 15 games and "hasn't looked the same since his quad surgery". He will contribute setting an edge but is not the pass rusher most were expecting. I just hope this isn't they guy that gets most of the snaps opposite Hutch.

I get that they prioritize run defense with the front four, but you have to be able to get after the QB in todays game. Brad seems to be doing the same things over and over with the defense.

[1984Echoes]

35 minutes ago, Stanley70 said:

The guy had 3 sacks in 15 games and "hasn't looked the same since ...

... the Carolina Panthers decided to use him out in space as a coverage OLB'er... at 6' 5" 258 #'s.

I'm pretty certain the Panthers use a 3-4 base. 

Maybe he isn't the same and will never get back to his Minny productivity days again. I believe Minny used him as a 4-3 DE?

But I also think there's a chance the Panthers were playing him out of position and that if there is ANY chance he gets to be more productive, it's as a 4-3 DE, not as a 3-4 OLB'er.

Which, btw, is what the Lions run (a 4-3).

And he STILL might never get back to being as productive as he was in Minny.

But as a depth guy... I think it's perfectly fine to take this chance on him, at this cost.

 

35 minutes ago, Stanley70 said:

... He will contribute setting an edge but is not the pass rusher most were expecting. I just hope this isn't they guy that gets most of the snaps opposite Hutch...

No, he's not that kind of pass-rusher.

I think most are hoping that this is true (bolded part... "not the guy who gets the most snaps opposite Hutch"...).

Which is why most on here (I believe) still want another veteran signed (Epenesa/ Jordan/ I forget the 3rd player still unsigned that would fit here...) who is BETTER than Wonnum.

AND I think most on this board STILL want to use a 1st or 2nd on ANOTHER DE (such as Faulk or Zion Young or...) to add to that room even IF we sign another guy.

I don't think anyone is against what you are saying.

I would just say: I don't think Brad is finished.

And no one on here WANTS him to be finished.

So, I guess in summary... what I am most saying is... have a little more patience. 

Brad ain't finished yet... tinkering with this roster. Specifically at the DE position.

IMO.

 

 

 

Edited 16 hours ago by 1984Echoes

[Stanley70]

My fear is at 6M Brad isn't going to bring in much else unless they add someone in the draft. That price is the little too much to pay a reserve and not enough to land a 3 down starter range given their cap situation.

Brad could add someone from your list though, they have some cap space and the ablity to create more. My guess is it will be another lower priced guy just going by how this off-season is unfolding.

[1984Echoes]

12 minutes ago, Stanley70 said:

... Brad could add someone from your list though, they have some cap space and the ablity to create more. My guess is it will be another lower priced guy just going by how this off-season is unfolding.

My guess would be more along the lines of:

Some of the vets are asking for more than they are worth, based on age and where they are in their career...

When those prices come down to a more reasonable level (no guarantees that they actually will... I'm just sayin') that is when Brad will strike a deal with another veteran player at a position of need.

Let's use Decker as an example: Brad wanted him to take less, Decker says no, believing he can make the same salary as last year out on the open market... Now he's a FA... still unsigned.

After the draft, when a raft of other veterans are given their release... Do the asking prices of the Taylor Decker's, and Cameron Jordan's, come down.

I believe this is an annual "yes".

Brad might sign Cam Jordan to be our starter at DE opposite Hutch. Or Decker for 1 more year as our LT.

That might not happen until we are far closer to the end of May-ish, or so...

That's why we are stuck in Purgatory (WAITING for these offseason moves to actually happen) where nothing happens until... it happens. Not on our time schedule. Theirs.

Sucks to be stuck in this "purgatory" just waiting for **** to happen.., right?

I'm trying to stay patient also but... it still sucks to wait...

Waiting...

Waiting...

Waiting...

(We don't have a choice though. NFL offseason purgatory it is for us...).

[Cruzer1]

The Lions have a huge need at special teams, they have lost alot, especially Stuard.

[Dan Gilmore]

Isn’t 6 mil for Wonnum the max he could get? Meaning his base salary is likely significantly less. Until I see the actual numbers I won’t pass judgment on whether the Wonnum signing restricts Holmes from getting another, better DE. 

[Sports_Freak]

3 hours ago, Hongbit said:

This applies to everything everywhere.

I don't know, when I heard about the signing, i was pretty excited. Its bringing back the 2024 vibes.. Let's Go!!!

[Sports_Freak]

1 hour ago, Cruzer1 said:

The Lions have a huge need at special teams, they have lost alot, especially Stuard.

Damone Clark has been signed. A back-up linebacker and a special team ace 

[MichiganCardinal]

Everyone pick your sides, is he the greatest addition of all time or completely useless. No in between, you all know the rules.

[buddha]

2 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

Everyone pick your sides, is he the greatest addition of all time or completely useless. No in between, you all know the rules.

raymond replacement.

[Sports_Freak]

2 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

Everyone pick your sides, is he the greatest addition of all time or completely useless. No in between, you all know the rules.

Signed for special teams? WR didn't really seem like a need...

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Dortch has returned punts and kicks in the past with Arizona. I wonder if he's the new Kalif as a return specialist.

[buddha]

these signings are likely the best the lions can do while being good stewards of their salary cap.  

philosophically, SHOULD they be borrowing from the future to pay for a difference maker right now?  some would argue this is their window: goff is still good, amon-ra, sewell, gibbs are in their prime.  the lions should go for it right now.  as much as we like goff, he's not a transcendant qb who can lead a team to wins despite a weak supporting cast so strike now when you have great players.  you cant expect 3 more drafts like holmes' first 3, especially when picking much lower.  you have a great base, supplement it and win now.

the lions dont seem to want to do that, which is ok.  its a different way to build a team and is more likely to build long term success, imo.  i dont think you win with a bunch of flashy free agent signings, even if one or two once in a while can make a big difference.  was linderbaum that player?  i doubt it.  hendricksen?  too old probably.  trade for crosby?  probably not worth it.

but these signings they are making are solid "guys."   they add depth to the core.  they dont move the needle.  maybe they get lucky and one goes on a huge run, but larry borom and dj wonnum are available for cheap for a reason.  to expect great things is to be unrealistic.  the great will come from their core if it is going to come.

and hopefully from this draft.