With the 2024 NFL season winding down, the Super Bowl is the only game left to be played, and free agency is just over a month away. The Detroit Lions are a team that will attract attention this offseason.
After harboring Super Bowl hopes, the Lions suffered a tough loss in the divisional round to the Washington Commanders. To make matters worse, the team lost both of its coordinators to head coaching roles, with Ben Johnson leaving for the Chicago Bears and Aaron Glenn heading to the New York Jets.
In the NFL, sustaining success is never guaranteed. The Lions have much work ahead if they hope to return to the postseason and claim a Super Bowl in 2025, including maintaining the core of their team. One key player from 2024 who may not return is cornerback Carlton Davis.
Before the 2024 NFL Draft, Davis was traded from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Lions, along with two sixth-round picks, in exchange for a third-round pick.
Davis enjoyed a solid season with Detroit, registering 56 tackles and two interceptions. He also posted career-best stats, including the best passer rating allowed (77.0) and the second-best completion rate allowed (55.3).
However, with Davis entering free agency, the Lions will face significant competition to retain him. TWSN’s Nik Shallon believes the 28-year-old will likely return to his former team, the Bucs. In discussing a potential reunion between Davis and Tampa Bay, Shallon wrote:
“After having a solid season with the Lions, Davis is once again a free agent, and why not have a reunion in Tampa Bay? The Buccaneers had a good season but ultimately fell short against the Commanders in the Wild Card. Davis would have a smooth transition back to Tampa, as he knows the defensive scheme like muscle memory with Todd Bowles still around as head coach, so there could be mutual interest in a return for Carlton Davis.”
“Although his season ended early after injuring his jaw in Week 15, he had a good year, earning a 73.4 coverage grade on PFF and an 84.4 grade on throws in less than 3 yards,” Shallon continued. “Carlton would bring veteran leadership and could become one of the defensive captains. With the Buccaneers having just over $20 million in cap space, this reunion could work financially.”
Davis spent six seasons with the Buccaneers, amassing 324 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and nine interceptions. As mentioned, he is familiar with Tampa Bay’s defensive system, which could make a return appealing.
That said, the Lions have more projected cap space than the Bucs, which could allow them to outbid Tampa Bay for Davis. Detroit is expected to have around $46 million in cap space, compared to the Bucs’ approximate $2 million, according to Over the Cap.
Detroit’s decision to pursue Davis will likely hinge on their confidence in 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. If the Lions don’t feel Rakestraw is ready for a starting role, they may look to bring Davis back.
