Detroit Lions Free Agency Profile: Kalif Raymond might have the most predictable outcome
The Lions seem to have a plan here and it might not include Raymond
We’re getting closer to NFL free agency opening, and over the next few weeks, you’ll see the Detroit Lions begin to bring back some of their own players on new contracts.
With that in mind, we’ll be profiling multiple Lions and discussing whether they’ll be coming back. We’ve already talked about Alex Anzalone and Al-Quadin Muhammad. Today we talk Kalif Raymond.
Why Kalif Raymond stays with the Lions
There is no doubt that Raymond has been a big part of the Lions culture since this whole thing started. He’s one of those guys you can consider the heart and soul of the team.
Some injuries in 2025 caused him to miss some time, but in 2024, he was an All-Pro return man. He also achieved that same feat in 2022. There is no doubt that Raymond has been really good for the Lions in the five seasons that he was here.
In 2025, Raymond had some big games. He put up four receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers, four catches for 49 yards against the Commanders, and three receptions for 52 yards against the Bears.
On returns, his production from 2024 got cut in half, but he did have another punt return touchdown. This one against the Browns in Week 4.
Why Kalif Raymond doesn’t come back to Detroit
This is where some of the prredictabilty comes into play. The Lions have seemingly drafted their next Raymond already. They took wide receiver Dominic Lovett out of Georgia in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Lovett brings a lot of what Raymond brought to the table. He can be a return man, and he can be a gadget guy on offense. But the thing he brings to the table that Raymond didn’t is that he can be an elite-level gunner when the Lions punt.
For Raymond, the other issue is that he’s going to be 32 this season. Lovett is 23. This is the part of the game that sucks. Sometimes you have to move on from guys and get younger.
Kalif Raymond contract projection
If the Lions were to bring back Raymond, it would probably be a short-term deal. A one-year deal worth $4 million, with $3 million of that guaranteed. It’s hard to see it being more than just a one-year deal.
Final Prediction
You could probably tell where this one was going. We do not see the Lions bringing back Raymond. They have a chance to get younger here, and this is one of the spots where they already have a plan. It just makes a lot of sense.
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