Ranking Detroit Lions 20 Unrestricted Free Agents

With success comes decisions, and these decisions figure to be quite difficult for Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell. The third-year coach has built the Lions from struggling afterthought to legitimate contender. With free agency looming, he’ll have to make choices regarding several players who have played valuable roles in the team’s rebuild. In past years, Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have shown plenty of loyalty to their players who fit the team’s ideal culture. As a result, a number of the team’s 20 unrestricted free agents to be could return to the organization in 2024. Here is a ranking of the team’s upcoming unrestricted free agents, based on their impact and potential cost to retain them next season. 20. QB Teddy Bridgewater The veteran quarterback was a steady presence in the locker room. Bridgewater was a perfect fit for the team’s culture and gave the team a reliable option to back up Jared Goff while also mentoring many of the young players. However, he revealed his intentions to retire following the season late in the year.

Unless there’s a change of heart for the veteran, he has played his final NFL snaps. 19. QB Nate Sudfeld Sudfeld entered the preseason as the backup before Bridgewater was signed and had a decent start to training camp. However, he struggled in later practices and game action before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the preseason finale. He could be retained to compete for the backup job with Hendon Hooker, but Hooker returning to full health will make it tough for Sudfeld to make the final roster. 18. OG Halapoulivaati Vaitai Vaitai has been hampered by injuries the last two seasons.

He has been solid when active for the Lions, but played just six games this season and missed the entire 2022 campaign. As a result, the veteran is likely expendable. 17. LS Jake McQuaide McQuaide did a good job when Scott Daly suffered a season-ending injury. However, the Lions seemed pleased with the progress that Daly had made prior to his setback. Both could once again compete for the job next season, but Daly likely has the edge. 16. TE Anthony Firkser Firkser wasn’t added to the active roster until the Lions were hit with a wave of injuries to their tight end position. He had just one catch, which came in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game. With the youth at this position, such as Sam LaPorta and James Mitchell. retaining Firkser won’t be a top priority.