The Detroit Lions season is over. Now it's time to start looking at who's due for a new contract and who the Lions should be bringing back or letting walk this offseason. Here's a full list of all their free agents along with their free agency type and our current thoughts on whether or not the Lions should bring them back:

Unrestricted free agents

C.J. Gardner-Johnson

This is a big one. Gardner-Johnson was really good for the Lions once he came back from the torn pectoral muscle he suffered in Week 2. He was also a vocal leader for this defense. The concern that some have is that maybe he talks too much and that personal foul on Deebo Samuel in the NFC Championship game reeked of him going into business for himself. Still, this is a player that's good at what he does and seems to love Detroit. The Lions should lock him down. 

Should he stay? Yes

Jonah Jackson

Jackson had a rough season. He was injured and missed games three separate times this season. when was healthy, his play seemed to take a real step back. The Lions are going to be in need of guard help next season. Is Jackson the guy they want to be that guard help? Right now I don't know.

Should he stay? No

Graham Glasgow

Glasgow had a total career resurgence in Detroit this past season. He went from a guy that the Broncos had given up on to a guy that became one of the better right guards in the NFL this season. He also has the ability to move to center and help the Lions if Frank Ragnow gets hurt. 

Should he stay? Yes.

Jalen Reeves Maybin

Reeves-Maybin had a huge return to Detroit. One that saw him become a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro special teams player. He's invaluable to this team and it's not just on special teams. Reeves-Maybin made some big plays on defense this year too. 

Should he stay? Yes. 

Romeo Okwara

At one point in time it looked like Okwara was going to be a major part of this team going into the future. Unfortunately he suffered a season ending Achilles injury early into his run with the Lions and he was just never the same after that. Okwara had a rough 2023 and spent some time on the bench as a healthy scratch. I don't know what the future looks like for him now. 

Should he stay? No.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai

It really seems like Vaitai might be approaching retirement soon. His back injury has really hampered him over the last two seasons and he's barely been able to play. The thing that sucks the most is that he's a tremendous leader for this team. You hate to see it end this way. 

Should he stay? No.

Josh Reynolds

Lions fans may be a bit upset with Reynolds for two bad drops on Sunday night, but he's been a very good player for this team all year long and has made a bunch of big catches. He's someone that Jared Goff trusts and way more often than not, he get's the job done. 

Should he stay? Yes.

Will Harris

At one point it seemed like Harris was a favorite of this coaching staff. Then the guy simply disappeared. Will Harris was active for every game in 2023. You wouldn't have even noticed unless you were paying close attention to special teams. Harris played 17 snaps combined on defense from Week 8 to the end of the season. 

Should he stay? No.

Nate Sudfeld

That's right. Nate Sudfeld is still a part of this team. He suffered a season ending injury in the preseason and remained with the team all season long. He'll more than likely be looking for a new home next year unless the Lions like him enough to keep him on the practice squad. 

Should he stay? No.

Julian Okwara

Much like his brother, Julian was supposed to be a big part of this teams future. Unfortunately it didn't work out that way. The younger Okwara spent most of the season as a healthy scratch until the Lions waived him in December. They did bring him back on the practice squad though.

Should he stay? No. 

Matt Nelson

Nelson was supposed to be a solid depth piece for this team. Unfortunately he suffered a season ending injury during the preseason. Still he seems like a guy the Lions like. 

Should he stay? Yes

Emmanuel Moseley

What a heartbreaking season for Moseley. He worked so hard to get back from a torn ACL and then immediately tore his other ACL after just two snaps with the Lions. At this point you have to wonder when you'll see Moseley back on a football field again. You might even wonder if that happens at all. 

Should he stay? Sadly no. 

Jake McQuaide

Mcquaide filled in nicely for the injured Scott Daly. He became a real part of this team down the stretch and into the playoffs. I don't think we've seen the last of him. That is if he wants to continue to play at 37-years-old. 

Should he stay? Yes if he doesn't retire and is willing to battle it out with Daly in camp again. 

Craig Reynolds

Everyone loves Craig Reynolds. He's been great on special teams and when he gets on the field, he makes things happen from time to time. Mostly against the Bucs. He's a solid third running back. 

Should he stay? Yes.

Kindle Vildor

Vildor had his good moments and his bad moments. One of the worst ones was on Sunday when he let a sure interception bounce off his face mask and into the hands of Brandon Ayiuk. Still, there's a solid depth piece here if you ask me. 

Should he stay? Yes. 

Donovan Peoples-Jones

I had high hopes for Peoples-Jones coming in and becoming a big part of this offense after the Lions traded for him at the deadline. That just never happened. I don't think the Lions really saw anything that they can move forward with here. 

Should he stay? No. 

Charles Harris

Harris does not currently show as a free agent, but that's because he has a 2024 void year. The Lions have a few days before they have that contract void out and then Harris will be a free agent unless the Lions work out something before that. Which seems pretty unlikely. 

Should he stay? No.

Restricted Free Agents 

Most of these guys have a pretty good chance of staying due to the ball being in the Lions court on them, so we'll do these ones rapid fire.

• Anthony Pittman: He's been a solid special teams guy for the last two seasons. He should definitely stay.  
• Benito Jones: Solid run stopper, but he needs help everywhere else. Not sure if the Lions see him as a depth piece or if they'd be ok letting him walk. 
• Scott Daly: Was a good long snapper before the injury. He should be back. 
• Brock Wright: A solid hand at tight end. I think the Lions look to solidify their TE2 spot this offseason, but Wright should stick around to be a TE3. 
• Shane Zylstra: The Lions like him enough to keep him around despite a season ending injury in training camp during a time where they were parting ways with guys on injury settlements. He should stay. 
• Jerry Jacobs: He showed that he's not a starter in 2023, but he's still a guy the Lions should hold onto for depth purposes. He has his moments where he looks great. 

Exclusive Rights Free Agents 

Similar to the RFA's, these guys are likely not going anywhere.

• James Houston: The Lions definitely see a future here with Houston. They'll make sure he's locked up. I wouldn't even worry about it. 
• Khalil Dorsey: A solid special teamer with some ability to be depth guy at corner. He should be kept around. 
• Zonovan Knight: The Lions should be signing Knight to a deal to see what he can do at camp. There is a lot of upside with this kid. 

Detroit Lions’ offseason checklist, everything to look forward to

Ok, I know you're in pain this morning, but let's start working towards getting out of the pain and towards the future for the Detroit Lions. There's a lot to do for this team from now until it's time to report back to camp in July. Here's a checklist that has everything the Lions need […]