Lions Free-Agency Tracker 2026: Signings, departures, cap space analysis, and more

"The way we operate, we want to avoid windows."

General manager Brad Holmes said that to Rich Eisen ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, in response to a question about whether the Detroit Lions' window was closing up or still wide open. Ahead of free agency, this refrain should be front of mind for every fan wondering just how aggressive, or passive, Holmes plans to be.

They have a lot of major roster needs, namely finding a No. 2 to Aidan Hutchinson. In addition to that, Holmes and the Lions' coaching staff have to locate proper depth at cornerback and safety, a LB replacement for Alex Anzalone if he walks in free agency, and a ton of help on Detroit's offensive line.

Oh, did we mention that Taylor Decker was surprisingly released ahead of free agency, leaving another gaping hole on the Lions' offensive line?

Anyway - with recent news that Detroit is looking to move Tate Ratledge to center, and that they're not looking to spend too much in free agency to try and rectify a ton of their roster holes, we might be in for a quiet kickoff to the new year. Still, if there's anything Lions fans have learned in recent years, it's that even the signings on the margins could matter greatly (see: Legion Of Whom).

Let's get into what's sure to be a pivotal free agency period for Detroit, despite a potentially boring list of acquisitions.

Free-agency snapshot

Cap space remaining: $5,069,788
Biggest signing: TBD
Biggest departure: TBD
Most surprising move: TBD
Biggest remaining need: Center
Last updated: 3:15pm EST, March 6, 2026

We're counting Decker's cap space savings here ahead of the Lions making his cut official. However, if we see any reports suggesting that they're saving his release for a future date, we'll adjust this cap number accordingly.

It could be argued that another edge rusher or even an additional safety could be a more important position than center this offseason for the Lions, but we all saw how pivotal center play was to the Lions' success on the ground. Graham Glasgow unfortunately wasn't a great replacement for Frank Ragnow's services there, and now he's completely off the roster.

Detroit has to find, at least, a decent competitor to Tate Ratledge for the center position this offseason.

Major Lions signings

Jake Bates, K, ERFA

Ahead of free agency, the Lions tendered Bates a deal to keep him rostered through 2026, per Detroit Free Press's Dave Birkett. The 2nd-year kicker has shown great promise alongside Jack Fox, despite a slight dip in efficiency in 2025.

Potential Lions departures to watch

Al-Quadin Muhammad, EDGE, UFA

Muhammad had a really solid season for the Lions on a one-year deal, showcasing his ability to act as a solid run defender as well as a good No. 2 next to Aidan Hutchinson. But, just as it was an issue for Hutchinson, Muhammad's huge games came in bunches and not consistently throughout the year. Still, he could be worth trying to get back for Detroit since they need depth at the position regardless.

The draft offers a path forward for the Lions if Muhammad does walk, though. Per Spotrac, he's due a deal in the range of 2 years, $15.7 million. If Detroit can't woo him back, they'd get a nice compensatory pick for the trouble of losing him. Not a bad return.

Alex Anzalone, LB, UFA

Anzalone is the odd man out thanks to a huge surge from Jack Campbell this past season. They play at different spots in the LB room, but Anzalone clearly looked a step slower than Campbell in 2025. He's got plenty left in the tank for 2026, so let's not get that twisted. Anzalone is a valuable veteran to any defense looking for a hard hitting linebacker to help with their pass coverage.

But, he's likely seeking a bigger deal than what Detroit is willing to give him. After recording a 95 tackle, 2.5 sack season, in addition to a career-best nine passes defended, he'll have some big suitors with big money. According to Spotrac, he's expected to get a 2 years, $14.5 million deal at minimum.

DJ Reader, DT, UFA

The veteran defensive tackle is a big name to watch in free agency for Detroit because they need to be building up their trenches on both sides of the ball, not seeing pieces walk. They have a lower cost solution in Roy Lopez they can pay instead of Reader if he does decide to walk, but it'd be a major blow to their run defense in 2026.

Reader, who is set to be 32 at the start of the 2026 season, is projected to earn a new deal valued at 2 years, $7.7 million. That feels a little too good for Holmes to pass up, in addition to bringing back Lopez for depth. But, he will have suitors.

Amik Robertson, CB, UFA

As we've seen far too much with this current iteration of the Lions, injuries tend to be costly without a proper backup plan. Robertson was a key part to Detroit's "next man up" mentality this past year, and it'd be subtly awful to lose him in free agency.

The Lions are still waiting on a fully great year from young CB Terrion Arnold, and their big free agency signing from 2025, D.J. Reed, proved to be just as injury-prone as the rest of the teams' secondary. Keeping Robertson on board would be huge for their ability to comfortably trust Arnold and Reed, as he's a contingency plan they can rely on.

Robertson is anticipated to earn a new deal in the realm of 3 years and $11.8 million. That's more than digestible for Holmes, especially to add back a key CB to their secondary.

Kalif Raymond, WR, UFA

This might not be as on the radar as other key defensive free agents for Lions fans, but Raymond's return will say a lot about Detroit's trust in Isaac TeSlaa to take a leap in camp and during the 2026 season. TeSlaa is pretty clearly being groomed as Detroit's next WR3, but Raymond is also working with already well-established chemistry alongside Jared Goff.

Raymond, and TeSlaa, are two receivers the Lions should be keeping on the roster if not for a WR3 competition, but for optionality within their special teams unit. Raymond, specifically, would make for an excellent returner. With a projected new deal for Raymond sitting at 1 year and $3.4 million, it'd be silly for the Lions not to bring him back while they still have TeSlaa on a rookie contract.

Marcus Davenport, EDGE, UFA

A re-signing of Davenport would be like hearing an ominous gong reverberating throughout the city of Detroit. Davenport had one more chance to prove that he could be a proper sidekick to Hutchinson this season, and he was thoroughly outshined by Muhammad in addition to being, once again, unreliable thanks to injuries.

Davenport is not going to be worth the squeeze for Holmes, unless they lose Muhammad and panic about their ability to either land another starter in free agency elsewhere.

Maybe he's decent as a depth signing, but he cannot be considered a serious starting option for Detroit any longer. He's projected to be due a 1-year deal, and that might be enticing enough for the Lions to give him a roster spot.

Departures

Graham Glasgow, C

Glasgow was released by the Lions ahead of free agency, clearing up $5.5 million cap space. The teams' 2025 starting center was thrown to the wolves (lions?) last year, being asked to slide from guard to center after Frank Ragnow's shocking retirement. The result was porous pass protection and run blocking throughout the year, which completely bogged down the Lions' offense.

Glasgow was a good sport about it, and thanked the team for all the opportunities they'd granted him over his career. It doesn't sound like he's returning to the NFL this season after such a struggle-filled season.

David Montgomery, RB

Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans right before free agency for several draft picks and center Juice Scruggs, ending the Sonic and Knuckles experiment and stripping the team of a big cog within their offense. It's obvious that Jahmyr Gibbs is the RB1, though, and Montgomery is talented enough to be one, too. So, he was granted his wish to land with the Texans.

The trade gave about $3.5 million back to the Lions' cap, and cleared the runway for a Gibbs extension.

Taylor Decker, LT

Decker's request for a release (and the Lions' probably honoring of that request) comes as a surprise, to be sure, but Decker's time was ticking with Detroit since the end of the 2025 season. Even though he decided not to retire, head coach Dan Campbell gave really interesting thoughts on Decker ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine that probably raised some eyebrows.

Detroit is now in need of a starting left tackle. That's huge. Perhaps Penei Sewell can swing into that spot, while we're going about reshuffling the Lions' current starters on the line into positions of need.

Best targets remaining

Tyler Linderbaum, C, Baltimore Ravens

We already know that the Lions' cap situation probably prohibits them from taking a huge swing on someone like Linderbaum - although, even just restructuring Jared Goff's deal would open up enough money to sign Linderbaum to a 2-year deal based on his market value. Linderbaum is a top free agent this offseason, not just a top center, and that means he's about to get seriously paid.

Still, it just doesn't sound like this is about to be a busy free agency for Holmes, and that means we should expect Detroit to try and snag linemen with a smaller price tag.

Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles

If Detroit loses Muhammad in free agency, they're officially out an EDGE2. That opens the door for a bit more aggressiveness from Holmes if he's opting to avoid a top center on the market. Phillips was a potential trade target for the Lions this past season, but he ended up landing with Philadelphia for a 3rd round pick.

Enticing him over to the Lions on a deal would be a huge loss for the Eagles after spending that sort of draft capital on him. Phillips is only going to be 27 at the start of the 2026 season, and he's shown some flashes of being an effective second option at the pass rush. He's not the only option for the Lions on the market at edge, though, so no harm, no foul if they lose out on him.

Khalil Mack, EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers

If Detroit wanted to opt for a far more experienced pass rusher, they could try and throw some money Mack's way. After deciding he wouldn't be retiring, Mack is one of the more intriguing options in free agency on the defensive side of things. He just finished up his 11th season in the league with 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, but his health would be the big factor here for Detroit to consider.

They've been known to have trust in their defenders' ability to stay available throughout the year, with Davenport probably the best example of that. Mack probably has a smidge left in the tank, and wouldn't be a terrible consolation prize for the Lions if they lost out on Phillips.

Connor McGovern, C, Buffalo Bills

In the least shocking development of all time, the Bills have seemingly fumbled any goodwill they had with their top center. McGovern told The Athletic's Tim Graham ahead of free agency that he hadn't heard anything from general manager Brandon Beane, leading him to say, "In my gut, that says it's over and done."

McGovern is going to get "overpaid" this offseason just because, after Linderbaum and him, the talent fall-off at center is pretty clear. Cade Mays and Luke Fortner remain totally fine options for the Lions if they're also unable to meet McGovern's financial demands, but he should be target No. 1 on their list to replace Graham Glasgow.

Cade Mays, C, Carolina Panthers

Speaking of Mays, he feels like the actual likeliest center the Lions could target in free agency. Mays is only going to be 27 years old headed into the season, and he flashed some really great pass protection and run blocking capabilities as a spot-starter for the Panthers in 2025. If Detroit is serious about finding competition at that position for Ratledge, Mays is the perfect player to consider.

The one hesitation with him is that he only just became a starter. His experience is limited, and there's no way to tell if he'll regress in 2026. But, if the Lions are looking to add some Ratledge insurance, Mays could be their guy.

Devin Lloyd, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Detroit could use some additional help in their linebacker room if Anzalone walks, and Lloyd is a great compliment to Jack Campbell if he's willing to move to the WILL position. That'd create a trio of Lloyd, Campbell, and Derrick Barnes, and that's a strong tackling trio with awesome blitzing capabilities.

He's also an interception generating linebacker, which could really help a Detroit defense that was one of the worst in the league in turnovers forced. His overall grade of 89.1 amongst linebackers in the league last year was good for 3rd overall - Campbell was 2nd overall.

Cam Jordan, EDGE, New Orleans Saints

The longtime Saints defender is officially a free agent. Ahead of Monday's kickoff to the chaos, Jordan and the Saints couldn't come to an agreement on a new deal, making him open to signing with a different team for the first time in his career. He's got ties to Dan Campbell from the head coach's days in New Orleans, and he's an ever-reliable edge.

Jordan might be 37 to begin the 2026 season, but he's still putting up some ridiculous numbers. He just finished up his 14th season in the league with 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He'd basically be a perfect sidekick to Hutchinson on a short-term deal. If the Lions see Muhammad leave and they really don't want to give Davenport another shot, Jordan is their guy.

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