# My 5-step plan for Detroit Lions to win NFL free agency in 2026
full article at link
==
..I will say I’d restructure the contracts of Goff, Penei Sewell (potentially $15 million in cap room) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (up to $21 million), in that order, but I’ll go through this exercise as if Goff is the only conversion I make, leaving me with about $40 million in cap room to open the 2026 league year, and knowing I’ll have to save some of that for the draft.
I also am trying to stay within the parameters of how aggressive I think the Lions could be based on things Holmes has said, their history and the feedback I’ve received from agents who’ve talked with the Lions about prospective free agents.
I would do whatever I could to land Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby if he really is available by trade. He’s a top-six pass rusher in the NFL and pairing him with Aidan Hutchinson would give the Lions arguably the game’s best edge tandem. But I don’t think the Lions have that in them given the cost.
I also would be more wary of signing Gibbs to a long-term deal (because he’s a running back, and the Lions can keep him cost-controlled through 2028 with the fifth-year option and franchise tag), and would not be in any rush to sign Branch or LaPorta given their season-ending injuries. The Lions take care of their own, though, plan to continue doing that, and deviating from that plan would raise eyebrows in the locker room.
Here are the five moves I’d start with
==
… For purposes of this discussion, I’m giving McGovern to the Lions for Spotrac’s projected contract value of $16.2 million annually, which means I can’t spend big on an edge rusher.
… For purposes of this discussion, I’m giving McGovern to the Lions for Spotrac’s projected contract value of $16.2 million annually, which means I can’t spend big on an edge rusher.
One player I like who shouldn’t break the bank and who I think would fit in the Lions defense is Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Logan Hall.
Hall played end in an odd-man front, so there’s a bit of projection here, and he has never put up huge sack numbers (he had a career-high 5½ in 2024). But he’s a big crush-the-pocket type who turns 26 in April, and has a history with Lions defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers.
3. Re-sign Roy Lopez, Grant Stuard and Rock Ya-Sin
==
#4
The cornerback position is a wild card for the Lions as Florida police are investigating what, if any, role Arnold had in an alleged kidnapping plot that has led to five arrests so far. Arnold has denied involvement through his attorney and has not been charged with a crime.
But after the Lions were bitten by their failure to properly prepare for Frank Ragnow’s potential retirement last spring, they can’t leave their secondary to chance in the event something happens to one of their projected starters
5. Let Drew Petzing cook with tight ends
Coach Dan Campbell made it clear at the combine that the Lions won’t go heavy on offense and significantly expand their use of two- and three-tight end sets. They have a talented and deep receiving corps led by St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa, and one good tight end already in LaPorta.
… there are some intriguing names who could come relatively cheap. Charlie Kolar would be a nice addition as a third tight end. Austin Hooper played for Petzing with the Cleveland Browns. Adam Trautman is from Michigan.
All have market values under $3 million, according to Spotrac, and all would give Petzing the personnel he likes at the tight end position.
