As the Detroit Lions continue to navigate the offseason, one of the key aspects they’ve been managing well is their salary cap. General Manager Brad Holmes and the front office have successfully reserved funds, allowing them to fill in gaps and sign players when injuries arise on the roster.
As of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Lions are carrying $21,552,924 in dead cap costs, placing them 17th in the league. The recent release of veteran linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin added $2.75 million to that total.
For those unfamiliar with the term, dead cap refers to any guaranteed base salary that remains unpaid when a player is released or traded. According to Spotrac, “Any guaranteed base salary that has yet to be paid out is considered dead cap on the contract. Should the player be released, all guaranteed salary will accelerate and be treated as dead cap in the current season. If traded, any unpaid guaranteed salary will transfer to the new team.”
A major contributor to the Lions’ dead cap costs this offseason is the departure of cornerback Carlton Davis, who left for the New England Patriots in free agency, adding $9,823,449 to the total.
Despite these dead cap charges, Holmes and his team have managed to maintain $52,800,241 in available cap space. This gives them flexibility to sign free agents and draft picks for the upcoming season. It’s worth noting that Holmes typically reserves around $15 million for in-season spending, ensuring the team is financially prepared for the entirety of the 2025 campaign.
Here’s a breakdown of the Lions’ 2025 dead cap costs:
- Carlton Davis — $9,823,449
- Cam Sutton — $6,540,000
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin — $2,750,000
- Marcus Davenport — $2,297,500
- James Mitchell — $60,638
- Kingsley Eguakun — $13,334
- Jalon Calhoun — $10,000
- Steele Chambers — $10,000
- Isaiah Williams — $10,000
- Duke Clemens — $6,667
- Bryan Hudson — $6,667
- Isaac Ukwu — $6,667
- Chelen Garnes — $5,334
- Steven Gilmore — $5,000
- Morice Norris — $3,334
- DaRon Gilbert — $1,667
- James Turner — $1,667
- Loren Strickland — $1,000
The Lions’ financial maneuvering sets them up well for future moves, and with a solid cap situation, Holmes appears ready to keep improving the roster while maintaining flexibility.
