Detroit, MI
Lions free agency preview: Detroit faces key decisions in rebuilding secondary
This is the sixth in our series previewing the Detroit Lions’ needs heading into free agency. The legal tampering window opens at noon on Monday, and deals can be signed starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 12. Today: Cornerback/Safety. Previously: Quarterbacks | Wide receivers and Tight Ends | Offensive Line | Running backs |Defensive line/EDGE
Under contract: Cornerbacks: Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Safeties: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Loren Strickland, Erick Hallett
Expiring deals: Cornerbacks: Emmanuel Moseley, Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor
Safeties: Ifeatu Melifonwu
Best available: Cornerbacks: Carlton Davis (Lions), Charvarius Ward (49ers), D.J. Reed (Jets), Darius Slay (Eagles), Byron Murphy (Vikings)
Safeties: Jevon Holland (Dolphins), Tre’von Moehrig (Raiders), Justin Reid (Chiefs), Camryn Bynum (Vikings), Talanoa Hufanga (49ers)
Other potential Lions fits: Cornerbacks: Carlton Davis (Lions), Charvarius Ward (49ers), D.J. Reed (Jets), Darius Slay (Eagles), Byron Murphy (Vikings)
Safeties: Ifeatu Melifonwu (Lions), Mike Edwards (Buccaneers), Marcus Maye (Chargers), Will Harris (Saints), Talanoa Hufanga (49ers)
Breakdown: Of the several position groups the Lions must address in free agency, one could argue the secondary is the most important.
Acquired by the Lions last year in a trade with the Buccaneers, Carlton Davis III instantly upgraded their cornerback corps with his high-level play last season.
Before breaking his jaw in Week 15 against Buffalo, Davis was on pace to log career highs. He finished the year with 42 solo tackles, 11 passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 13 games.
Adding to that, Davis allowed only two receiving touchdowns, and opposing quarterbacks completed just 55.3% of their passes when targeting him.
While Davis’ production warrants the Lions considering re-signing him, his availability raises concerns. The seven-year veteran has yet to play a full NFL season, missing as many as four games per year over the past three seasons.
Davis’ absence proved significant for Detroit, as he missed the final three games, including the divisional-round loss to the Commanders.
There are pros and cons to re-signing Davis. If the contract length is reasonable and the salary isn’t too hefty, the Lions should bring him back and hope for a healthy season. But if he becomes too expensive, the Lions have options.
One intriguing possibility is San Francisco’s Charvarius Ward.
Over the past six seasons, Ward has proved to be an above-average starter at cornerback, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. He allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 54.1% of their passes when targeting him.
It’s unclear what type of payday Ward will seek, but he could come slightly cheaper than Davis and without the injury concerns.
Jets cornerback D.J. Reed could also be an option, depending on the price. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 46.3% of their passes when targeting Reed last season. He allowed just two passing touchdowns and a 63.0 passer rating as the primary defender in coverage.
As for Byron Murphy, it’s highly likely the Vikings find a way to retain him.
However, if the Lions are unable to re-sign Davis or land Ward, a reunion with Darius Slay on a one-year deal makes the most sense. Slay has said Detroit and Philadelphia are the only two places he’d like to play next season.
With the Lions needing a cornerback, Slay would provide a high-level starter opposite Terrion Arnold as the team evaluates Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Switching from cornerbacks to safeties, the Lions also have a significant decision regarding Ifeatu Melifonwu’s future in Detroit. The fourth-year player blossomed in 2023 and was key in the Lions’ run to the NFC title game.
That said, Melifonwu was largely absent last season due to injury. He suited up for the final three games, including the divisional-round matchup. If the Lions decide to bring him back, it would essentially be based on his 2023 production—24 tackles, eight passes defended, five quarterback hits, three sacks and two interceptions.
Keeping Melifonwu could be too costly unless he agrees to a team-friendly deal. If the Lions move on, Tampa Bay’s Mike Edwards is an option due to his versatility in the secondary.
A potential sneaky fit for Detroit could be Talanoa Hufanga. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 but has dealt with injury concerns in recent years. If he’s willing to sign a one-year “prove-it” deal, he could be a solid option at box safety for the Lions.
Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger announced a significant two-year renewal process for the Archdiocese of Detroit, addressing challenges faced by the Catholic community in southeast Michigan.
The announcement came during weekend Masses, where Weisenburger shared that the archdiocese now serves approximately 900,000 Catholics across 209 parish communities, a notable decrease from the historical peak of 1.5 million when many of the current churches were constructed.
“With a smaller portion regularly attending Mass, we’ve been struggling to maintain buildings, ministries, and structures designed for a much larger Church,” Weisenburger said in his video message to parishioners.
The renewal initiative will span two years, focusing on discernment and strategic planning.
“It will be a journey of discernment, to chart the best path forward for each of our parish communities and regions,” the archbishop explained.
The process may result in changes to how and where some parish communities gather.
In the spring, parishes will host listening sessions so people can share their thoughts and ideas.
“I hope our churches stay open, people need their home churches. It’s very valuable,” said parishioner Lisa Willenbrock.
Another parishioner, Bob Grammens, offered a different perspective: “Having empty buildings is not good if there are no people going to Church at a certain spot, or if attendance is low, something should be done.”
Weisenburger emphasized that the initiative’s goal extends beyond mere survival.
“I really believe with all my heart that God is inviting us to reimagine parish life,” he said.
For more information, including the Archbishop’s letter and video, you can visit restructuring.aod.org
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Detroit Red Wings: ‘We have to learn’ to close out opponents
Detroit Red Wings Todd McLellan, Patrick Kane & Lucas Raymond, Nov. 15, 2025 in Detroit.
Just as they seem to show they’ve learned something, the Detroit Red Wings fall behind in class.
They salvaged a point against the Buffalo Sabres, but that was after being ahead by three goals and then basically crashing.
“Giving up a shorty is, when the momentum is starting to swing their way, that’s a Bermuda Triangle death trap,” coach Todd McLellan said after the Wings lost, 5-4, in overtime at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, Nov. 15.
The Wings (10-7-1) were up 4-1 midway through the game, and took a 4-2 lead into the third period. But closing down a team that sits near the bottom of the NHL standings was too much to ask.
“You have a chance at 4-3 on the power play to put the game out of reach and we give up a shorthanded goal,” Patrick Kane said. “Those are just things that are unacceptable that we have to learn.
“It hurts in the moment, but hopefully we can learn from it.”
The Wings played with a short bench the last 15 minutes after defenseman Simon Edvinsson went down the tunnel, but McLellan said Edvinsson “is fine.”
The Wings as a team, not so fine. They were able to practice two days in a row and applied that in a 6-3 victory over a talented young Anaheim Ducks team on Thursday.
Then came the Sabres game.
McLellan has been preaching game management and toughness between the ears since he arrived last Christmas. Eleven months later, it’s still an issue.
“Clearly, we haven’t learned that yet,” McLellan said. “I don’t even know if you could write a script like that. We’re shorthanded and we’re trying to score and creating turnovers. Until this group figures out what’s important at certain times of the game, we’re going to have those nights. Simple as that.
“I’m not sure that at times we value or crave the shutdown part. I think it’s always about getting the next goal. Yes, it would be nice to get the next goal, but preventing the next one is equally as important and sometimes even more timely. I’m not sure that we’ve figured that out.”
McLellan sounded frustrated as he delved into what went wrong as the Wings failed to recover despite having a lead still with 10 minutes to play in regulation.
“Just understanding what’s happening and what’s important in certain moments,” he said. “We have D that are joining a rush, we’re up by two with seven minutes left and it’s a risky rush. That just makes no sense to me.
“We have penalty-killers that, we’re throwing pucks back towards our end hoping to get a shot on goal on their end and turning it over for a breakaway. We’ve got Simon on the ice and he let [DeBrincat] take their 50-goal scorer who’s 6 foot 7 instead of him coming to play him. I don’t know what happens sometimes, but those are all game management situations.”
Tage Thompson basically went nearly the length of the ice to score on goalie John Gibson at 4:25 of the third period, and then Ryan McLeod stripped Moritz Seider of the puck and rushed up ice to score shorthanded at 9:28.
That tarnished an evening where the Wings looked like they had control, until they nosedived.
“We’ve got to keep playing our game,” said Lucas Raymond, who had three assists. “We’ve got to keep playing on our toes, but under control. Tonight was self-inflicted for sure. We gave up chances that you’re not supposed to do in the third period with a two-goal lead.”
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.
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