The Detroit Lions continue their restructuring process within the roster, with several names being considered both to strengthen it and those who could depart. Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, a key teammate of Jared Goff has sent a clear message to the management regarding his future during this free agency.
Three years ago, Carlton Davis entered free agency as a player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and instead of seeking a better contract elsewhere, he chose to reaffirm his commitment to the Bucs. This time around, the talented cornerback made it clear that he will aim to be paid what he truly believes he’s worth.
“I feel like last time, I just kind of panicked,” Davis told Mike Silver of The Athletic. “I was younger, and my mindset was, ‘I need to go ahead and just choose.’ At the time, the thinking was, ‘This is the offer, and the more you wait, the more that number’s gonna go down.’ Yeah, that can happen, but teams know your value, and right now I’m playing my best football.
“This time, I ain’t gonna settle for less,” Davis ultimately stated, making his position clear regarding what he expects for his near future in the league.
The former Super Bowl champion with the Bucs alongside Tom Brady, joined the Lions in 2024 and, if he doesn’t reach a contract extension, he could seek a fresh start with another team, with a deal that meets his expectations.
The reasons behind Davis’ request
Carlton Davis believes he is experiencing the best moment of his career, which is why, beyond money, he wants to be recognized for his contributions to the team.
“It’s not, ‘I need the money,'” Davis said. “I want to be happy. I’ve won a Super Bowl and I’ve already made a lot of money. If it was to end right now, I wouldn’t be disappointed. I would not be mad at all.
“But at this point of my career, I’m in my prime. The receiver market is going up, and the cornerback market is going up — and it’s going to keep going up in years to come. The (salary) cap is going up. The NFL TV deals are going to keep going up. There’s more than enough money for them to pay you what you’re worth.”
He finally concluded: “For me, playing at this high level, to take less than I’m worth, I’d be doing myself a disservice and my family a disservice. I’m not doing that this time.”
A significant loss for Dan Campbell
Many times, part of the process of shaping a roster for a new season involves letting go of players who may have been useful to the coaching staff in the past. In this case, Lions HC Dan Campbell loses an important player for his team ahead of the 2025 season.
Za’Darius Smith had arrived in Detroit during the last off-season from the Cleveland Browns. Despite being actively involved since his arrival, the franchise ultimately made the decision to part ways with the defensive end for what’s ahead.
“The #Lions released Za’Darius Smith, per source,” the NFL reporter Tom Pelissero stated via @TomPelissero.