This offseason, I took control of the Detroit Lions in GM Mode on StickToTheModel with one goal: fix a negative cap situation, secure the core, and keep the Super Bowl window open.
Here’s how it played out.
The Big Picture
- Starting Cap Space: -$9.6M
- Final Cap Space: $30.1M
- Players Cut: 1
- Contracts Restructured: 10
- Extensions: 5
- Trades Made: 1
- Free Agents Signed: 7
- Draft Picks: 7
- Overall Grade: A-
Turning negative cap into $30M in flexibility while extending the young core made this a strong overall offseason.
Cuts
Graham Glasgow
Cap Savings: +$7.0M
A necessary cap-clearing move to reset flexibility.
Restructures
Ten contracts were reworked to generate major cap relief:
- Jared Goff (+$35.9M)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (+$19.7M)
- Alim McNeill (+$15.1M)
- Penei Sewell (+$14.0M)
- D.J. Reed (+$8.9M)
- Taylor Decker (+$6.9M)
- Derrick Barnes (+$4.2M)
- David Montgomery (+$2.1M)
These restructures fueled the turnaround from -$9.6M to over $30M in space.
Extensions
Five foundational pieces were extended to lock in the future:
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Sam LaPorta
- Brian Branch
- Jack Campbell
- DJ Turner II
The core stays intact. The window stays open.
Trade
Sent 2026 Pick #50 to Cincinnati
Received: DJ Turner II
A future asset was flipped to secure a long-term piece in the secondary.
Free Agency Additions
Seven total moves were made in free agency.
Tyler Linderbaum (IOL) – 1 year / $17.5M APY
Interior protection added to strengthen the offensive line.
Jaelan Phillips (EDGE) – 1 year / $8.4M APY
Pass rush reinforcement on a short-term deal.
D.J. Reader (IDL) – 1 year / $6.2M APY (Re-signing)
Continuity retained in the interior defensive front.
Alex Anzalone (LB) – 2 years / $6.1M APY (Re-signing)
Veteran leadership remains in the linebacker room.
Kyle Allen (QB) – 1 year / $4.3M APY (Re-signing)
Depth preserved behind the starter.
Jahan Dotson (WR) – 1 year / $2.8M APY
Short-term receiver depth with upside.
Draft Class
Seven selections focused on depth, trench play, and developmental upside.
Round 1 – Pick 24
Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah)
Round 4 – Pick 118
Nick Singleton (RB, Penn State)
Round 5 – Pick 155
Jaeden Roberts (OG, Alabama)
Round 5 – Pick 180
Jadon Canady (CB, Oregon)
Round 6 – Pick 187
Eric McAlister (WR, TCU)
Round 6 – Pick 204
Deven Eastern (DL, Minnesota)
Round 7 – Pick 222
Eric Gentry (OLB, USC)
Final Take
This offseason balanced aggression with discipline. The Lions cleared cap space, extended their core, retained key veterans, and added depth without compromising the future.
An A- grade reflects a roster built to compete right now.
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