The 2023 season was a very successful one for the Detroit Lions. Historical even, with their first division title since 1993, their first playoff win since 1991 and multiple playoff wins in the same season for the first time in the Super Bowl era.

Free agency is now coming next month, and the Lions are well-positioned with cap space to do some things. General manager Brad Holmes has reinforced a smart, intentional approach to moves, which while obvious stands as an insinuation that a huge splash should not be expected.

The Lions have 20 unrestricted free agents, six restricted free agents and six exclusive rights free agents.
Unrestricted is just what it sounds like, with those players free to sign with another team when the new league year starts on March 13. Their current team can sign them to an extension or use a franchise tag.
Restricted free agents are attached to a tender that allows their current to match another team’s offer.
Exclusive rights free agents are also attached to a tender, but that tender prevents those players from negotiating with other teams.

Complete list of Detroit Lions 2024 free agents

Unrestricted free agents

• DL Tyson Alualu
• K Michael Badgley
• QB Teddy Bridgewater
• TE Anthony Firkser
• DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
• OG/C Graham Glasgow
• EDGE Charles Harris
• DB Will Harris
• OG Jonah Jackson
• LS Jake McQuaide
• CB Emmanuel Moseley
• OT Matt Nelson
• DE Romeo Okwara
• WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
• LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
• WR Josh Reynolds
• OT Dan Skipper
• QB Nate Sudfeld
• OG Halapoulivaati Vaitai
• CB Kindle Vildor
• • LS Scott Daly
  • CB Khalil Dorsey
  • CB Jerry Jacobs
  • DT Benito Jones
  • LB Anthony Pittman
  • TE Brock Wright

  Exclusive rights free agents

  • OG Kayode Awosika
  • LB James Houston,
  • RB Zonovan Knight
  • CB Chase Lucas
  • RB Craig Reynolds
  • TE Shane Zylstra

  Who will the Lions bring back in free agency?

  Teddy Bridgewater is set to retire and take the head coaching job at his high school alma mater, so he won’t back once he officially files retirement papers. Halapoulivaati Vatai, after two seasons impacted by a back injury, has to weighing retirement himself. Other unrestricted free agents who feel certain to be gone are Charles Harris, Romeo Okwara, Will Harris and Nate Sudfeld. Jerry Jacobs might not receive a restricted free agent tender.

  Things could go either way with a long list of Lions’ free agents.
  Josh Reynolds feels replaceable, if those options are pursued.
  Jonah Jackson just had a down, injury-impacted season and could command a lot of money.
  Graham Glasgow earned a significant raise with his play this past season, and he talked openly about that.
  C.J. Gardner-Johnsons feels like a slam-dunk to bring back after an injury significantly shortened his first season as a Lion, but is there a clear-cut substantial role available for him in the secondary?
  Will Michael Badgley be upgraded on as the Lions try to solve their kicker issue?
  Will Emmanuel Moseley get a mulligan after tearing an ACL again?

  One mortal lock to be re-signed is Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Everyone else on the unrestricted free agent front has some level of question, or will surely be gone.

  Holmes has placed great priority on fit beyond talent. But he has some interesting decisions coming in free agency, and there’s a chance the Lions let one or two notable names leave.