The Detroit Lions should consider themselves lucky as they head into the 2025 NFL offseason.
They have one of the league’s best salary cap situations and have most of their starting lineup from the 2024 season under contract for 2025.
However, there are a few important pieces of the roster who will be able to test free agency.
One of those players is seen as somebody that will be important to keep around amid rumors of interest from a former Lions coach.
In a free agent profile of the player, Pride of Detroit’s Morgan Cannon urged the Lions to re-sign linebacker Derrick Barnes.
Barnes has spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Lions after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft.
After being used as more of a rotational player for his first two seasons, Barnes broke into the starting lineup in 2023.
It ended up being a good move for the Lions as Barnes rewarded them with 81 total tackles, including five for a loss. He was also able to get eight pressures.
He opened the 2024 season once again in a starting role, but unfortunately didn’t get much of a chance to build on his successful previous season as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3.
Bringing him back on a new deal could help the run defense get back on track in 2025. This past season they were 11th-worst in the league against the run, allowing 4.5 yards per carry.
That was a major downgrade from the 3.7 yards per carry they allowed in 2023.
However, it might not be simple for the Lions to keep Barnes.
The Lions could face some competition for Barnes if he hits the open market. There was a rumor that came out of the Shrine Bowl about former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn wanting to bring Barnes over to the New York Jets,
Barnes has proven himself to be a solid player and is somebody the Lions should definitely be ready to win a bidding war for as they try to build a Super Bowl defense this offseason.
This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.
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