Before the 2024 campaign, the Detroit Lions sought a veteran edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, and general manager Brad Holmes eventually signed Marcus Davenport in free agency.
Holmes secured Davenport with a one-year, $6.5 million deal, aware of the risks posed by his injury history. Unfortunately, those concerns materialized quickly.
After recording half a sack in his Lions debut, Davenport missed the Week 2 game due to a groin injury, returned the next week, and then suffered an elbow injury in Week 3 that ended his season.
In a recent piece reviewing each team’s best and worst free-agent moves from the 2024 offseason, Davenport was named the Lions’ most disappointing signing. Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman noted, “Davenport was brought in to give the Lions some pass-rush depth. He played well in his first game with the team but played just one more game after that before his season ended due to a triceps injury.”
While Holmes aimed to add a veteran edge rusher, it’s clear the move didn’t yield the desired results, and it’s likely Davenport’s time with the Lions is over.
Compounding the issue, Hutchinson also suffered a season-ending injury, leaving Detroit’s pass-rush particularly short-handed. To address the gap, Holmes traded for Za’Darius Smith, who provided some relief with four sacks.
Looking toward 2025, the Lions have Hutchinson and Smith under contract as the starting duo, though Smith could become a cap casualty if the team chooses not to keep him at his current salary. Smith has expressed a desire to stay, however. “Motor City, 2024 didn’t go as planned at all; we fell short of the outcome we had planned for,” Smith wrote on Instagram. “2025 gives us another opportunity to adjust and go for that championship! I enjoyed every moment with my boys, and even though some faces have changed for the new season, I hope to be a part of this great organization for the future!”
Even if Smith returns, Detroit still needs more depth and a long-term solution across from Hutchinson, especially since Smith is 32 years old and a free agent in 2026.
To take the next step toward a Super Bowl, the Lions must explore all avenues to strengthen their pass rush. It’s likely that Holmes and the Lions will pursue both free agency and/or a trade to add a veteran edge rusher, along with using the 2025 NFL Draft to find a long-term solution.
