Carlton Davis is reportedly signing a massive deal with the New England Patriots.
The Detroit Lions are losing cornerback Carlton Davis to free agency, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. As Schefter announced on ESPN Monday afternoon, Davis is getting a three-year, $60 million with $34.5 million guaranteed.
UPDATE: Per Mike Silver, the deal is more like an $18 million a year contract, with incentives that can push it to $60 million . Silver also says the Lions made a late push to retain him, but the Patriots ultimately outpriced him.
That’s a massive deal for the veteran cornerback who spent just one year in Detroit. The Lions acquired Davis last year via a trade, sending a third-round pick for Davis, a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Davis proceeded to be Detroit’s best cornerback for the 2024 season. He started 13 games, tallied 56 tackles, 11 passes defended and two interceptions before breaking his jaw and missing the final month of the season. Davis was also physical and active in the run game.
Now the Detroit Lions will have to go back to the drawing board at the cornerback position. They have Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver under contract. Obviously, they will need to fill out that room, and could use a player or two to push for a starting job.
Catch up on the latest Detroit Lions offseason and free agency news by heading over to our 2025 offseason tracker.