The Lions didn’t need to clear $35 million in cap space. So why did they? Something bigger feels like it’s coming — just not yet, but here’s what to keep an eye on
Detroit could have created just enough room to get compliant. Instead, Brad Holmes built one of the NFL’s biggest cap cushions, and there’s at least one situation worth monitoring as the season unfolds.
The Detroit Lions cleared $35 million in cap space through multiple roster restructures, pushing their available money to a little over $38 million. That figure is the second most in the NFL, behind only the San Francisco 49ers, who have a little over $45 million. Just last week, we talked about how Detroit was over the cap and needed to get compliant. The question was never whether the Lions would restructure. It was who they would restructure and how much space they would create.
There were two paths. The first was simple: restructure Jared Goff, open up around $12 million, and keep operating the way Brad Holmes likes to operate. Holmes has historically preferred to carry about $12 million to $15 million in cap space throughout the season. That would have been the safe, comfortable route.
The second path was the full boat. Multiple restructures. A ton of money. And that’s exactly what the Lions did.
Why would they do that?
To do my Brian Windhorst thing here, holding up both fingers and asking the question: why would they do that? I’ve been talking a lot lately about how this season, more than any other, has felt like the year the Lions make a move at the trade deadline. Everything is set up for it. The roster construction, the cap flexibility, the competitive window. It all lays out perfectly.
If the Lions get to the deadline and they need a position, whether that’s cornerback or something else, they now have the financial ammunition to go get it. There is just so much right now that points toward Detroit making a move. The question isn’t whether they can. It’s when.
Don’t expect it right now
Here’s the thing: I don’t think a big move happens before Week 1. You could say, hey, the Lions have an open roster spot after releasing Levi Onwuzurike on Friday. But I think Detroit is playing some roster gymnastics there. The Lions also released Tyre West from the practice squad, and my suspicion is that Onwuzurike winds up back on the practice squad by Saturday afternoon. The release was likely about avoiding a guaranteed contract on a small deal, not about moving on from him entirely. They can play the elevation game from there, bring him up when they need him, and figure out his long-term roster status as the season goes on.
Even if Onwuzurike lands on the practice squad, that still leaves a 53-man roster spot open. The Lions will want to fill it at some point, and they could try to fill it today. But if you’re sitting here thinking this means a Maxx Crosby trade is coming, it’s not happening.
The cap reality
Opening $35 million is a lot, and you can do a lot with it. But it doesn’t change the cap strategy down the road. In fact, it changes it for the worse if you’re thinking about absorbing a massive contract like Crosby’s or some other superstar’s deal. The Lions just kicked a bunch of Amon-Ra St. Brown’s and Penei Sewell’s money down the road. They still have to pay them. They just converted the way they’re going to pay them. So while Detroit is in a position to make a game-changing, Super Bowl-caliber move, the math still has consequences.
Is this the Lions’ version of the Packers trading for Micah Parsons right before the season opens? I don’t think so. I just don’t see that happening right now.
Think about Branch and LaPorta too
The Lions are committed to getting both of those guys paid this year, and those deals could have some effect, maybe not a lot, but some, on this year’s cap. So you have to keep in mind that not all of this would go to some sort of big-time trade. Now that the Packers have paid Tucker Kraft, that LaPorta deal could be coming down the pike any day now. Branch is probably more of a midseason move at this point.
A name to watch
Eventually that time might come, and there is one situation worth monitoring. Joey Porter Jr. and the Pittsburgh Steelers are going through a contract situation right now. The Lions need a cornerback. Porter could become available at some point this season, could request a trade around the deadline. I’m not saying right now that the Lions are going to trade for Joey Porter Jr. Don’t take this as a guarantee. But he’s a name to keep an eye on given what Detroit needs and what Pittsburgh is dealing with.
The Lions have a lot of money open now. We’ll see what they do. But if you’re asking me right now, I don’t think a major move happens before the season starts. I think it happens at the trade deadline. This is exactly what I thought the Lions might do, and now we wait.
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