Lions release one of their former second-round picks

You had to see this one coming

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Nov 17, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal (93) makes his way to down the tunnel before the start of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images David Reginek-Imagn Images

NFL free agency has officially begun, and the first thing the Lions did once the new league year started was release their 2022 second-round pick.

The Lions are releasing Josh Paschal

If you’ve been watching the Lions intently, you had to know this one was coming after the NFL Combine a few weeks ago, when Lions GM Brad Holmes was asked about both Pascal and Levi Onwuzurike, who were kept around due to an obscure league rule that moved the tolling of their contracts to 2026 after injuries had both players missing the entire year. Holmes basically told you Paschal probably wasn’t coming back.

“…With Levi and Josh, obviously Levi, we’ll be able to bring him back, and then Josh will have the ability to bring him back as well. There’s still discussions to be had about that one, but yes, it’s a possibility.”

In 2025, Paschal started off camp on the NFI after having back surgery to repair a disc issue and then returned to practice to open up his 21-day window in November. At the end of the month, when that window expired, the Lions chose not to activate him because they felt he had not fully recovered. Now he’s going to have to find a new team in 2026.

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