Welcome to another Detroit Lions mailbag. The offseason is here. We've already hit the Senior Bowl and the next stop is free agency. Lions fans have questions and I have answers. Let's get to those questions and answers. 

Would you try and trade for a truw lockdown CB or take your chances in FA and draft like last year?

— Chad Reeb (@reeber93) February 2, 2024

I'm trying both. I know that's cheating the question, but I think the Lions should be able to land a solid corner in both areas. I'm going all in on trying to get Jaylon Johnson or L'Jarius Snead in Detroit in March and then I'm backing that up with solid depth that can grow into more in the draft. Guys like Notre Dame's Cam Hart or Oregon's Khyree Jackson. 

Many of the media/bloggers out there assume that an extension for Goff is coming, but what if it isn't? Couldn't the Lions just let him play out his contract and then franchise him for a year and then reevaluate? They have Hooker. Wouldn't u want to see what u have there?

— Randy Charboneau (@randycharb) February 2, 2024

I got to tell you Randy, this isn't something that we just made up out of thin air. The Lions and Jared Goff's agent have been talking to each other about an extension since May. That talk didn't stop. There were more reports in September that the dialogue had continued and that the dialogue was good. Then Goff's agent Ted Tollner confirmed in January that the talks have been good and that he expects an extension to come early this offseason and that the Lions have assured both him and Goff that this was not a thing where he'd have to prove himself again.

"They said all the right things to Jared and to me, that (this season) is not about him having to prove himself for another year.”

This extension is definitely happening and it's at the top of the list of the Lions. The Lions know what they have in Hooker. They have a premium backup quarterback. 

Any percentage guess on the chance ragnow retires?

— Sobo (@_Sobo) February 2, 2024

I'm going to put the percentage at 2%. Ragnow is still just 27-years-old and while he's had injury issues, he's continued to play through them. I think he just needs a solid offseason full of rehab and fishing and he should be good to go. The toe is an issue and should probably have surgery done on it at some point, but he should be good to go otherwise. 

With that said, I do think he retires earlier than other guys do. I think he plays into his early 30's and then walks away from the game. I just can't see that happening right now. Especially with the type of competitor that he is and the place the team is at right now. 

What’s the expectation for Brodric Martin for next season? Will he flourish under Terrell Williams?

— Reju Kurian (@_Rejuvenation_) February 2, 2024

The expectations should be high. Williams has been working with defensive linemen since 1998 and he's done quite well with them in the NFL since 2012. he's worked with some of the best and helped them get to their best. This is an opportunity for Martin to learn from one of the best defensive line coaches around. 

I think he'll take to it and you'll see more of Martin on the field in 2024. 

How much did it cost to put Ertz on the practice squad for one game?

— Olin (@chessmanaaj) February 2, 2024

That figure has not been released, but if Ertz was signed to a practice squad contract, which he probably was, the Lions possibly paid him somewhere between $16,100 and the max of $20,600 for the week. Practice squad players are paid weekly as opposed to a yearly salary. So that's likely what happened here. There's no word yet on whether or not the Lions will look to bring back Ertz in 2024. If they do, they'll have to sign him to a new deal. 

Which positions do you anticipate being addressed via FA and which via the draft?

— rcj1s (@rcj1s) February 2, 2024

Due to draft positioning, I think the Lions look to attack the edge spot in free agency over anything else. The Lions could fine on the interior of their defensive line and at the corner spot in the draft, but every pass rusher that's worthwhile will gone by  the 29th pick assuming that the Lions actually pick there.

There's going to be some really good options to bolster this defensive line in free agency. There will be options at cornerback too. I think they go with both like I mentioned earlier in the piece, but I think they focus more on getting guys that can get to the quarterback. 

The pros and cons of the Lions bringing back Jonah Jackson

Free agency is near for the Detroit Lions. As I type this sentence, we're 35 days away from the NFL opening up the negotiating window for teams and the players agents on March 11th. Will Jonah Jackson make it to that day or will the Lions get a deal done with him before that?  That's […]