The hardest cut the Lions are going to make this summer, but will ultimately have to make
You hate to see it, but this one seems like it’s going to happen
The Detroit Lions’ roster picture is starting to come more into view as the weeks go by. Last year, we took a shot at what the Lions’ hardest cut would be ahead of the final making of the 53-man roster. We were ultimately wrong on that one, as we picked wide receiver Isaiah Williams and made the roster. Still, some partial credit is earned since he was cut midway through the season and never actually played.
Either way, we’re taking another shot at this summer, and this year’s pick is linebacker Trevor Nowaske. We believe that the Lions will cut him in the final cutdowns.
Nowaske had a decent season for the Lions in 2024, but it was largely out of necessity. He didn’t make the initial 53-man roster. He was waived by the Arizona Cardinals a bit later, and then the Lions claimed him. When Derrick Barnes suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, the Lions started playing Nowaske more, and he had some nice moments. Near the end of the season, his snap count dropped to half of what it was in the early part of the year; he played 13-15 snaps per game.
Coming into this summer, the Lions have Barnes back, and he’s fully healthy. They’re missing Malcolm Rodriguez, but that’s still not likely to open up a spot for Nowaske. The reason is that Zach Cunningham and Anthony Pittmann have arguably had the better summers, and they will take those fifth and sixth-linebacker spots.
Cunningham has been one of the brightest spots of the defense in the preseason. On Friday, he was one of the Lions’ highest graded defensive players with an 86.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. He’s been a steady tackler all summer long, and that really showed against the Falcons.
As for Pittman, he’s such a high-quality special-teams player that it’s hard to part with him. For that reason, the Lions would be wise to go with him there. Lastly, there’s Grant Stuard, who has been a stud this summer. Nowaske has been thought to be the backup SAM linebacker, but Stuard can play that role and play it better than Nowaske.
So for those reasons, Nowaske is likely out. That doesn’t mean the Lions won’t want him back. If he clears waivers, they’re likely to try to get him on the practice squad. Honestly, though, it might be a bit shocking if he clears waivers. We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks, but right now we think this is the hard cut this summer.
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