These nine Detroit Lions players under contract in 2025 could see their deals terminated to save salary cap room.
The Detroit Lions have a sizeable list of pending free agents , but before any of those names ink a new contract in Detroit or elsewhere, we could see a player or two get their existing deals axed. Cap causalities are an unfortunate yet important part of any offseason. The salary cap grows on an annual basis, but so too do the contracts dished out. As a result, some old contracts end up on the chopping block to save millions of dollars that could be better spent elsewhere.
The Lions have themselves a strong roster with over $50 million in cap space entering 2025, so a wave of releases is not mandatory for Brad Holmes and company. That being said, a penny saved is a penny earned, and there is opportunity for the Lions to part ways with some inefficient contracts.
Before we get into details on who could be on the outs this offseason, we need to establish some of the big-name contracts that are not going anywhere. Quarterback Jared Goff has the highest salary on the entire roster, with a 2025 hit of over $32 million. Despite the subpar playoff performance from Goff against the Washington Commanders , the Lions are not going to move on from him—this is not even under consideration. The same can be said about the remaining cap hits over $10 million. Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow are both staples of the offensive line, so barring a surprise retirement, they are here to stay for 2025. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Aidan Hutchinson are no-brainers, which Hutchinson likely to earn himself a sizable contract before long—which, if designed properly, could actually lower his 2025 cap hit. The remaining name on that eight-figure salary list is DJ Reader, a cut that would save nearly $8 million, but given his production, value to the front seven, and lack of quality depth at defensive tackle, it would be a shocking move.
With those names aside, here are some players with salary cap hits (per Over The Cap ) that stand out due to age, cap hit, production, or a combination of each. For simplicity, I am just looking at pre-June 1 cuts, meaning that the entirety of a cut player’s dead cap would occur in 2025—post-June 1 cuts would have their dead cap spread out over 2025 and 2026.
Za’Darius Smith, DL
- 2025 Cap Hit: $5,727,500
- Pre-June 1 Cut: $0 dead cap, $5,727,500 savings in 2025*
- Cut probability: High
Acquired midseason for a pair of draft picks, Smith provided some much-needed pass rush for a post-Hutchinson defensive line, but it sadly was not enough to get them over the playoff hump. The Lions are now footing the bill of the Cleveland Browns ’ extension from last March. Because he was acquired via trade, his contract is somewhat complicated to process.
The Lions can incur a $0 dead cap hit only if he is cut before March 15 (the third day of the new league year). If he is on the roster after March 15, his $2 million signing bonus from his Browns contract kicks in. Cutting him after this date would convert that bonus into dead cap. Meanwhile, Smith has four years of prorated option bonuses (three of which are void years) at $1.75 million per year—these bonuses are due a week before the 2025 regular season begins. If Smith is on the roster in September with his current contract, the Lions would be on the hook for the entirety of that $6.9 million option bonus.
Officially, Smith has one year remaining on his deal and would become a free agent in 2026. However, based on how the Browns structured his contract, he would have a cap hit of over $5 million in 2026 regardless of whether he re-signed in Detroit or elsewhere—void years spread the signing bonus over multiple seasons, such as Carlton Davis’ contract .
There is no incentive for the Lions to keep Smith on his current contract—they do not want to be on the hook for his prorated option bonuses. If they are aiming to get out of his contract before September, they might as well do it before March 15 to avoid his $2 million signing bonus as well. The only two ways I see Smith sticking around next season is either via a contract restructure or cutting then re-signing him.
Graham Glasgow, OL
- 2025 Cap Hit: $7,437,500
- Pre-June 1 Cut: $5,312,500 dead cap, $2,125,000 savings in 2025
- Cut probability: Medium
As predicted, the Lions boasted a great offensive line during the 2024 season. Free agent acquisition Kevin Zeitler was stellar at right guard, as were Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, and Penei Sewell. The odd man out was Glasgow, whose efficiency plummeted as the season progressed. Coupled with the phenomenal (albeit limited) play of rookie Christian Mahogany, Glasgow was arguably the sixth-best lineman on the team.
The Lions signed Glasgow to a three-year, $20 million deal last March to reward a fantastic return to Detroit in 2023, but the first season of that deal was subpar. Entering his age-33 season, it is more likely that Glasgow is on the downswing of his career. Cutting Glasgow would incur a not-insignificant $5.3 million dead cap hit, but it would save around $2 million on a declining player.
The argument for keeping Glasgow is twofold. Firstly, a below-average starter is still above-average depth, and with Glasgow’s ability to play either guard spot and center, he would be a fantastic backup. Additionally, Zeitler is a pending free agent, so cutting Glasgow could mean changing both starting guards. Mahogany seems primed for a starting role next season, but that would still leave another opening if Zeitler leaves. I would not be in a rush to replace Glasgow without a plan in place—keep Glasgow and let him battle for a starting role with Mahogany, a free agent, and/or a rookie.
I think that the Lions will keep Glasgow, perhaps restructuring his contract in some way, but I do not believe he is a lock to start next season.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB
- 2025 Cap Hit: $4,645,000
- Pre-June 1 Cut: $2,750,000 dead cap, $1,895,000 savings in 2025
- Cut probability: Medium
After being a special teams All-Pro in 2023, 2024 was a rough year for Reeves-Maybin. He missed multiple weeks with a neck injury and finished the year with zero special teams tackles, normally his specialty. The Lions only punted 46 times last season which, coupled with the new kickoff format, likely contributed to a sharp statistical decline. His limited snaps on defense were not overly impressive either, and he was clearly a tertiary option behind Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, and free agent Derrick Barnes.
Reeves-Maybin is a valued member of the special teams unit, but the numbers could be working against him. He will be 30 years old in a few weeks, and while he still has some good seasons ahead of him, you have to question the value of an aging special teamer. The Lions have Rodriguez under contract, who is an upgrade on defense, while Barnes is a strong candidate to re-sign in Detroit. Meanwhile, pending free agents Trevor Nowaske, Anthony Pittman, and Ben Niemann could be cheaper depth alternatives.
Kalif Raymond, WR
- 2025 Cap Hit: $6,376,471
- Pre-June 1 Cut: $3,100,000 dead cap, $3,276,471 savings in 2025
- Cut probability: Low
Almost unthinkable a year ago, Raymond’s contract and production puts him in a tough spot for the Lions. The two-time All-Pro has not only shined as a returner during his Lions tenure, but also as a contributor on offense. His 2024 season was by far his worst offensively in Detroit, however. Limited to 12 games due to a foot injury, Raymond had just 215 receiving yards on the year. Even prior to his injury, he was an afterthought in the Lions offense, with Tim Patrick instead grabbing a larger receiving role.
Raymond had the most punt return yards of his career (413 yards, which led the league) and added a punt return touchdown as well. The question is not his return ability, but whether the Lions want to pay over $6 million for a returner with a lessening impact on offense.
There is a chance that the Lions try to rework his contract, but I think an outright cut is unlikely. The reason? They have almost no alternative on the roster. When Raymond was out, the replacement returners included Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tom Kennedy, and Maurice Alexander. St. Brown is a valued starter and should not be risked on special teams. Kennedy has one career punt return to his name. Alexander is a talented returner, but has essentially no NFL experience on offense, limiting his value. Also of note, he was not signed to a futures contract last week. With Patrick a pending free agent, the Lions are low on receiving depth as well. I think Raymond sticks around barring a bold release.
Alex Anzalone, LB
- 2025 Cap Hit: $7,258,824
- Pre-June 1 Cut: $2,400,000 dead cap, $4,858,824 savings in 2025
- Cut probability: Very low
Amik Robertson, CB
- 2025 Cap Hit: $6,400,000
- Pre-June 1 Cut: $1,650,000 dead cap, $4,750,000 savings in 2025
- Cut probability: Very low
The Lions have a pair of defensive starters with intriguing potential cap savings in the $4.8 million range. The Lions have some young players ready to take up their starting roles, so the Lions could save some money while opening up a spot atop the depth chart. Jack Campbell is viewed as the eventual leader of the linebacking corps, while Ennis Rakestraw has the talent to develop into a capable cornerback on the outside or at nickel.
The argument for cutting Anzalone and Robertson ends there, however. As we witnessed this past season, defensive depth is critical. When the Lions lost Derrick Barnes, it led to an increased role for Campbell, a role that he proved capable of handling. Now that Barnes is a pending free agent, the Lions cannot afford to sacrifice further linebacking depth. Anzalone was playing at a high level in 2024 as well. If his play dips, they can let him walk in 2026 free agency. There is no urgency to cut ties with Anzalone this year.
At cornerback, meanwhile, Carlton Davis is also hitting free agency this year. Are the Lions really looking to save a few million dollars by replacing a solid cornerback like Robertson with an unproven player like Rakestraw? Robertson quietly had a great season for Detroit, and his current deal is fantastic value for a player of his caliber with his inside/outside potential. Also, he will be just 27 years old next season, far from an aged veteran.
There is more to football than saving money, and this is a lesson why looking purely at cap savings is not wise. The Lions need to add to their existing talent, not cut ties with capable players for unnecessary cap savings.
Josh Paschal, DL
- 2025 Cap Hit: $2,461,346
- Pre-June 1 Cut: $701,483 dead cap, $1,759,863 savings in 2025
- Cut probability: Very low
Paschal ended up being one of the more important members of the Lions’ front seven due to a barrage of injuries. He finished the season with the most snaps of any edge defender, trailing only Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill in terms of defensive line snaps.
It was not an overly productive time in the starting lineup, however. Paschal finished with just two sacks, although both came in pivotal moments against the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans . He was more good than great on the year, and the Lions could stand to upgrade from him this offseason.
That being said, I think there is a very low chance that the Lions cut ties with Paschal. He can be a capable rotational end with inside and outside versatility, much like pending free agent John Cominsky. The Lions were completely gutted along the defensive line this season, highlighting the importance of good depth. Paschal is unlikely to turn into a player of Hutchinson’s caliber, but there is still value in a backup that can step in effectively. I do not believe that the Lions could get a player that is better, cheaper, and younger than Paschal.
Hendon Hooker, QB
- 2025 Cap Hit: $1,559,735
- Pre-June 1 Cut: $579,646 dead cap, $980,089 savings in 2025
- Cut probability: Very low
Brodric Martin, DT
- 2025 Cap Hit: $1,446,568
- Pre-June 1 Cut: $428,756 dead cap, $1,017812 savings in 2025
- Cut probability: Very low
I am going to group these two together. For one, they came into the league as 2023 third-round picks for the Lions, hence their similar contracts. These are also two players that have not shown much in the NFL yet: Hooker has been limited to a backup for his entire career thus far, even getting demoted to third-string for the Lions’ playoff game against the Commanders for a recently-retired Teddy Bridgewater. Martin, meanwhile, was a frequent inactive, often getting passed on the depth chart by players like Myles Adams or Chris Smith.
On paper, saving a million and change for a low-impact player seems reasonable, but this is extreme penny pinching that the Lions are unlikely to explore. These players were drafted for their upside, and they are just entering year three of their careers. To cut bait with their untapped potential to save a few million between them would go against Holmes’ track record. Levi Onwuzurike and Derrick Barnes are two examples of players that took a few seasons to bloom into capable defenders. Hooker or Martin could feasibly get cut in 2025 depending on the other offseason moves, but that will only happen during final roster cuts, not as an early offseason cap-saving move. If the Lions are this desperate for cap space, something has gone horribly wrong—and even then, restructuring a different contract would make more sense than either of these cuts.