Lions All-Pro Named Potential Cut Candidate for 2025 Offseason
The 2025 offseason promises to be an intriguing one for the Detroit Lions.
After a remarkable 15-2 season, the team now has significant cap space to make upgrades as they push for their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. However, before diving into improvements, the Lions will need to evaluate their roster and identify potential contract cuts to free up additional space for their offseason plans.
One surprising name on the list of possible cap casualties is a player who earned All-Pro recognition this past season.
In a recent article analyzing potential cap-saving moves for each NFL team, Pro Football Network’s Ben Rolfe listed Lions wide receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond among Detroit’s “other cut candidates.”
Raymond’s situation presents an intriguing decision for the Lions. He was named to the All-Pro Second Team for his performance as a punt returner during the 2024 season, where he logged 30 returns for 413 yards and a touchdown. However, his standout contributions came largely in a single game against the struggling Tennessee Titans, where he recorded five returns for 190 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown.
As a receiver, Raymond was less impactful. In 12 games, he tallied just 17 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
Financially, Raymond’s cap hit of $6.38 million for the 2025 season makes his value a topic of debate, especially with only $3.1 million in dead cap if the Lions opt to release him, per Spotrac. Paying over $6 million for limited production, primarily on special teams, is a tough sell.
While cutting Raymond likely won’t be a priority for Detroit, his contract could come under scrutiny if the team needs extra cap space for offseason moves. Evaluating the true value of his contributions will be key, as a $6 million price tag for a punt returner may be difficult to justify.
