Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions have 20 unrestricted free agents, but are not expected to use franchise tag
The NFL’s annual franchise tag window opens Tuesday, and for the sixth straight year the Detroit Lions are not expected to use it.
The Lions have 20 unrestricted free agents, but only two were primary starters last season: Offensive guards Graham Glasgow and Jonah Jackson.
Both Glasgow and Jackson have expressed an interest in re-signing with the Lions for 2024, and Glasgow said the team told him it wants him back as well.
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But the projected franchise tag tender for offensive linemen next season is $21.72 million, according to OverTheCap.com, and neither player is likely to approach that number if they hit the open market.
Glasgow played last season on a one-year, $2.75 million deal, while Jackson finished his four-year rookie contract with a base salary of $2.992 million.
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Lions general manager Brad Holmes indicated at his end-of-season news conference earlier this month the Lions would not be major players in free agency, and instead would look to “sign our own.”
The Lions have long-term contract extensions on the horizon with several key players, including quarterback Jared Goff and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Both Goff and St. Brown could score deals that make them among the 10 highest-paid players at their position in the NFL.
Right tackle Penei Sewell and defensive tackle Alim McNeill are among others eligible for contract extensions. Both players are entering the final year of their rookie deals, though the Lions certainly will pick up Sewell’s fifth-year option if they don’t sign him to a new contract by April’s draft.
“It’s one pot,” Holmes said. “You’ve got to be very strategic of (how) that pot is divided up or divvied up. But we’ll be smart, and we’ll make the right moves. But yeah, it just changes the landscape a little bit in free agency.”
MORE: Lions QB Jared Goff worth $50 million a year on new deal? ‘What’s the alternative?’
In addition to Glasgow and Jackson, 10 Lions who started games in 2023 will be unrestricted free agents in March: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Josh Reynolds, Kindle Vildor, Tyson Alualu, Charles Harris, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Will Harris, Matt Nelson, Dan Skipper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Gardner-Johnson missed most of a last season with a torn pectoral muscle, but started at safety before his injury. Reynolds played as the Lions’ No. 2 or 3 receiver most of the year, and Vildor finished the season as the Lions’ No. 2 cornerback.
The franchise tag is a one-year tender of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position from the past five years. Players still can negotiate with other teams, but the tagging team has the right to match any contract or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation. If a team uses the exclusive franchise tag, the compensation goes up and the player has no ability to negotiate elsewhere.
Among the teams with tag decisions to make that will impact the free agent market are the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. They have two tag candidates in defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback La’Jarius Sneed, and the Lions’ division rival Chicago Bears might need to franchise cornerback Jaylon Johnson to keep him off the market.
Defensive end Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike of the Baltimore Ravens, defensive end Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and receiver Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals are other tag candidates.
The Lions last used the franchise tag on Ziggy Ansah in 2018.
This year’s tag deadline ends March 5.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him @davebirkett.
Detroit, MI
Winter at The Station to turn Detroit landmark into a holiday wonderland
DETROIT — As the cold weather and holiday season approaches, The Station at Michigan Central will once again transform into a destination for holiday spirit, shopping and live entertainment. Winter at The Station 2025, Michigan Central’s second annual holiday celebration, will run from Friday, Nov. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 28.
Building on the success of last year’s monthlong series — which saw nearly 55,000 guests take in the splendor of The Station decked for the holidays — Winter at The Station will draw from traditions across cultures to honor the past, celebrate the present and usher in the future. This is Detroit’s invitation to experience the convergence of history, culture, and innovation in a festive, inclusive atmosphere.
“Winter at The Station is a place for all to gather and celebrate” said Catherine Kelly, head of brand and communications at Michigan Central. “We believe that Winter at The Station will become a part of the city’s cultural identity and are working hard to ensure it becomes one of its most cherished holiday traditions.”
Detroit’s new holiday tradition
Experience the magic of the season inside the restored architectural gem, and see why Winter at The Station is fast becoming one of the city’s can’t-miss holiday destinations and most cherished traditions. From live music performances to shopping at local retailers to just soaking up the festive atmosphere with a cocktail, Winter at The Station has something for everyone.
Most of the programming will be free and open to the public, with some being ticketed events. Attendees can check Michigan Central – Events at Michigan Central for more details.
Stunning holiday decor
The Station will again feature enchanting winter decorations throughout, featuring contemporary seasonal decor. Don’t miss a show-stopping display that honors The Station’s past. You’ll want to grab your camera for photo ops and to capture The Station’s historic halls decked for the holidays.
Your local shopping destination
Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts from nearly a dozen Detroit artisans and retailers at our pop-ups, and find exclusive merchandise at The Shop inside The Station’s historic ticket office. Peruse local wares at Neighbor x Folk. All of this amid the authentic energy of the city. On Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, shopping hours will be extended until 9 p.m. A gift-wrapping service also will be provided for a fee or will be free for items purchased at The Shop.
Where the future of innovation meets the holidays
Discover how technology can bring us together. Children can engage with a hands-free digital coloring book, and the Innovation Room brings the story of Michigan Central’s progress to life. Plus, you won’t want to miss a special arrival pulling into The Station for the Winter at The Station festivities.
All of this and more begins with opening night on Nov. 14, so mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!
Fun for the whole family
While shopping and taking in the holiday decor, guests can listen to the future of Detroit music through a number of performances curated by local music mastermind collective D. Cipher. Artists span a variety of genres, from jazz to soul to electronic to acoustic pop and artists like Wendell Harrison and Ackeem Salmon. Kicking off Winter at The Station on Friday, Nov. 14 will be Steffanie Christi’an, performing at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with DJ Legendary J. Hearns spinning tunes throughout the evening. For opening night, tickets are required and cost $15.
Michigan Central and Henry Ford Health are partnering with the Detroit Pistons to host Storytime at The Station, a free, family-friendly reading event that will feature a Pistons player reading “The Old Sleigh” by Caldecott honorees Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey to kids. The event celebrating literacy, wellness, and community connection will run from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. Following the reading, there will be a question-and-answer session and autograph opportunity for kids. Seating is limited for this event, and pre-registration on Michigan Central’s website is required. Those who register will receive free books while supplies last. Henry Ford Health pediatricians will also be on-site to answer questions and help families sign up for primary care.
Also for kids, local kids brand Sammy Whammy’s will hold a felt cookie-decorating workshop from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, and a felt train garland workshop from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. The Metro Detroit-based company makes sweatshop-free clothing and stuffed animals, including an exclusive train conductor Teddy bear that will be available at The Shop. No pre-registration is required for these free children’s workshops.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, The Station will host a greeting card collage workshop with Homespun and Green from 10 a.m. to noon. A holiday floral centerpiece workshop will help you make your holiday spreads stand out. VidaBloomz will guide participants in creating a stunning seasonal centerpiece and styling their holiday table with seasonal blooms, textures, and festive details. Finally, a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 13 will teach you how to use block printing to make your own personalized wrapping paper.
Tickets for all events, as well as the full schedule, are available at Michigan Central – Events at Michigan Central .
Enjoy hot drinks and fresh bites from Yellow Light Coffee and Donuts and scratch-made frozen treats from Momento Gelato daily throughout Winter at The Station. Plus, enjoy seasonal food, beverages and specialty cocktails in the Concourse on special event days.
Parking
Help us keep neighborhood streets accessible, especially as the snow starts to fall. Take advantage of ample parking available in the Bagley Mobility Hub parking garage for just $5 per vehicle. The garage is located at 1501 Wabash St, Detroit, MI 48216 near the intersection of Bagley and 14th Street, just southeast of The Station. ADA drop-off is available outside The Station’s east entrance on 15th street. Michigan Central is also accessible via public transportation.
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About Michigan Central
Michigan Central is a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Detroit, where leaders, thinkers, communities and creators come together to accelerate bold ideas and technologies that shape our collective future. By providing access to world-class infrastructure, tools, and resources, Michigan Central inspires innovators and community members to collaborate on real, ground-breaking solutions to global problems. Since opening in April 2023, Michigan Central has grown into a diverse ecosystem of nearly 250 companies and startups working at the intersection of mobility, technology and society. Learn more at Michigan Central.
Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions stand pat at NFL trade deadline, expect boost from injured defenders
Lions’ Brad Holmes delivers commencement speech at North Carolina A&T
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes delivered the commencement speech at his alma mater, North Carolina A&T, on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
There was no Sauce Gardner equivalent available on the offensive line, so the Detroit Lions stood pat.
The Lions did not make a deal at the NFL trade deadline Tuesday, Nov. 4, for the first time since 2021, deciding to stick with their current roster while awaiting the return of several key defensive players, for a playoff run.
The Lions are 5-3 at the midpoint of the season, in second place in the NFC North and in control of the NFC’s final wild-card spot.
They have a host of injury concerns on their offensive line – left guard Christian Mahogany is out with a broken bone in his leg, and the availability of tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell is uncertain for this week’s game against the Washington Commanders – and depth issues at cornerback, safety and defensive end.
But Mahogany could return in late December and the Lions expect to get three starters back on defense in the coming weeks.
Safety Kerby Joseph has missed two games with a bone bruise in his knee. Cornerback D.J. Reed is on injured reserve with a strained hamstring but has begun working out with trainers. And defensive end Marcus Davenport is closing in on a return to practice from a strained pectoral muscle.
The Lions also are expected to get backups defensive end Josh Paschal, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez and cornerback Khalil Dorsey back before the end of the season. Rodriguez, on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from the torn ACL he suffered last year, already has resumed practicing.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday adding those six players – Joseph is the only one currently on the active roster – is similar to making a trade at the deadline.
“Well, I mentioned this before,” Campbell said. “We’re going to start getting some good players back. Some really good impact players for us. …
“So we got some guys that are going to start coming back and that does give you a boost. I mean, that helps you. It only makes your team better, makes your roster better.”
Campbell acknowledged in his weekly radio interview Tuesday morning on WXYT-FM (97.1) that the Lions were looking for help on the offensive line but he said the price had to be right to consider a move.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes has been active at recent trade deadlines, adding depth to his roster in 2023-24 and dealing away tight end T.J. Hockenson for a swap of draft picks in 2022.
In 2023, the Lions added backup Donovan Peoples-Jones to a struggling wide receiver room – Jameson Williams had six catches in four games at the time after serving a suspension to start the year – for a sixth-round pick.
In 2024, the Lions traded two Day 3 picks for Za’Darius Smith and another late-round choice, helping a pass rush that had been decimated by injuries. Davenport, Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker Derrick Barnes and defensive tackle Kyle Peko all suffered season-ending injuries before the deadline last year.
The Lions aren’t in as dire a spot on their offensive line now, but the unit has been inconsistent through eight games, and Decker also is dealing with a shoulder injury that has nagged him all year.
With no moves Tuesday, the Lions likely will patch their offensive line from within. Kayode Awosika finished last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings at left guard, and Campbell said backups Trystan Colon and Kingsley Eguakun also will get a look in practice this week as the Lions try and decide how to best use their personnel up front. Center Graham Glasgow can play guard if the Lions prefer to have Colon or Eguakun handle snaps.
No NFC contenders made big moves at Tuesday’s deadline, though two of the conference’s top teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, made notable trades earlier this year. The Packers acquired star defensive end Micah Parsons before the season from the Dallas Cowboys, while the Eagles picked up pass rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins on Monday – their fourth in-season trade this year.
The Cowboys, 3-5-1 and in second place in the NFC East, made one of Tuesday’s biggest deals, acquiring star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round choice and former Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
The Jets also dealt star cornerback and Detroit native Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round choices. Two NFC contenders made more minor moves with the Chicago Bears adding defensive Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from the Cleveland Browns and the Seattle Seahawks adding receiver Rashid Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints.
The Lions did make two roster moves Tuesday, releasing offensive lineman Justin Herron from injured reserve and releasing tight end Kenny Yeboah from IR with an injury settlement.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
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Detroit, MI
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