Ex-Lions Megastar Sign Contract Deal With 49ers Declining Vols Offer.
As the frenzied free-agency period continues, the 49ers have addressed a position of need.
Former Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas has agreed to terms on a contract with the 49ers, KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported Friday, citing a source.
Lucas played two seasons for the Lions after the team selected him with the No. 237 pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He played a majority of snaps on special teams for Detroit and figures to have a similar role with the 49ers.
San Francisco has been busy during the first week of free agency, cutting defensive tackle Arik Armstead and restructuring the deals of many other key contributors to free up more salary cap space in addition to a handful of other free-agent signings.
ALLEN PARK — Chase Lucas is heading to the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal after two seasons with the Detroit Lions, per his agency.
The 2022 seventh-round pick appeared in 12 games for the Lions this past season, securing a key role on special teams with 260 snaps from that phase.
Lucas logged only six defensive snaps during his time in Detroit. But he’s potential nickelback depth for the 49ers, and should compete for a significant role on special teams. The 27-year-old was not tendered a new contract in restricted free agency, and was free to sign anywhere. Lucas played his college ball at Arizona State and is from Arizona, so this move gets him closer to home.
The Lions have been moving pieces around on Dave Fipp’s special teams group during the past couple of weeks. They made Jalen Reeves-Maybin the highest-pair core special teams player in the league. But the Lions also lost Anthony Pittman and now Lucas from that unit.
They retained Khalil Dorsey, who adds return ability while being able to do handle Lucas’ role on that phase. And Malcolm Rodriguez proved to be someone to watch as a potential game-changer for that phase of the game.
After a very promising and historical season, Colin Cowherd reflects on what Dan Campbell must do to continue to build off the Detroit Lions 2023 NFC Championship trip.
After facing a deafening Ford Field crowd in the playoffs as the opponent, Carlton Davis III is happy such a rowdy fanbase will now be on his side.
In a one-on-one with team reporter Dannie Rogers following his arrival in Motown, the Detroit Lions cornerback reflected on the last time he was in the Motor City—as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer facing the Lions in the divisional round of the playoffs. He said the atmosphere was electrifying and one of the loudest he’s experienced in his six years in the league.
“It was so loud,” Davis said. “Just even coming into the stadium, we knew that we would have to go against the team and the fans. The city was just crazy that day. The dome was so loud, and I’ve played in some pretty loud arenas and stadiums but that was definitely top three of my career.”
Instead of being another obstacle to overcome, the same decibel record setting crowd will now be a major asset for Davis.
“Especially a defensive player—(the crowd) is one of our best friends. We need that 12th man, so I’m excited,” he said.
The newest member of the Detroit Lions is ready to get “nasty” in the trenches.
Defensive tackle D.J. Reader visited came to Detroit on a free agency visit on March 15 and landed a two-year contract worth up to $27 million. Reader spoke to reporters after inking the deal, saying he admires the grittiness of the Lions’ defense and is ready to join them in getting nasty.
“That grit, that nastiness, I mean, if you’re a D-lineman, you want to play in an environment like that,” Reader said, via Justin Rogers of the Detroit News. “Guys are going to fly around, play hard, their coaches are tough-nosed, (coach Dan Campbell’s) demanding, he’s not disrespectful. That’s amazing. You want those types of things. As a player, if you don’t want that type of stuff, then you don’t want to get better. I think being here, and feeling the energy here, it’s definitely a place where people want to come to get better, and that’s from top down.”
Lions Make Big Move to Boost Line
As Rogers noted, Reader is expected to take on a big role with the Lions, playing alongside Alim McNeill on the defensive line. Though Reader has struggled with injuries over the past few seasons including a knee injury that forced him to miss six games in 2022, the former fifth-round pick said he’s confident in himself and ability to perform at a high level.
Rogers noted that he was able to return from a quad injury to play in the Super Bowl, even registering a sack against Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the loss.
Lions Make Big Move to Boost Line
As Rogers noted, Reader is expected to take on a big role with the Lions, playing alongside Alim McNeill on the defensive line. Though Reader has struggled with injuries over the past few seasons including a knee injury that forced him to miss six games in 2022, the former fifth-round pick said he’s confident in himself and ability to perform at a high level.
Rogers noted that he was able to return from a quad injury to play in the Super Bowl, even registering a sack against Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the loss.
