The Detroit Lions’ Super Bowl aspirations came to an abrupt end with a disappointing playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. Now, as the offseason begins, the team faces tough roster decisions.
At this time of year, teams evaluate their rosters to determine which players under contract for 2025 could be released. Cutting players can provide salary cap relief, helping franchises manage financial constraints.
Potential Lions Cut Candidates
In a January 26 feature for Pro Football Network, NFL analyst Ben Rolfe analyzed possible cut candidates for the Lions this offseason.
“Identifying cut candidates can be tough, especially with teams who are changing head coaches or coordinators, as it may shift philosophies and make players who were not valued before more valuable,” Rolfe explained.
While Rolfe primarily discusses defensive lineman D.J. Reader as a potential cut, he also mentions wide receiver Kalif Raymond as another possibility.
Raymond carries a $6.4 million cap hit for 2025. If released before June 1, the Lions would save $3.3 million, while a post-June 1 cut would free up $4.8 million.
Reacting to this possibility, Ryan Love of USA Today’s Lions Wire acknowledged Raymond’s popularity among Detroit fans. “Kalif Raymond has become a fan favorite in Detroit, as is customary with the undersized, fairly successful kick returner.”
However, Love notes that while losing Raymond might disappoint fans, his production could likely be replaced at a lower cost. “Raymond’s overall productivity could be cheaply replaced if the team felt like clearing a small amount of cap space in 2025.”
More Lions Players on the Chopping Block
In addition to Reader and Raymond, Rolfe also lists EDGE rusher Za’Darius Smith and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin as possible cuts. While the Lions have struggled with linebacker depth due to injuries, Reeves-Maybin’s roster spot is not guaranteed.
Smith’s inclusion on the list might surprise some fans, given his impact following Aidan Hutchinson’s injury. His 2025 cap hit stands at $5.7 million.
Love acknowledges Smith was “the trade every Lions fan asked for,” but points out that while he helped stabilize the defense, he didn’t elevate it to Hutchinson’s level.
“Smith performed well,” Love explains, “but he isn’t much of a game-breaker like his position demands. He and the rest of the defensive line were borderline nonexistent in the Lions’ loss to the Commanders, which ended their season.”
Despite the Lions’ defensive struggles in that game, Smith had strong performances throughout the season. Love suggests that while Smith is a “solid veteran who could be asked to stick around, it wouldn’t cost much to let him go.”
