Lions’ shock free-agent signing reveals they’re all in

With the signing of security C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Detroit Lions made it clear they’re all in for 2023.

The one-year, $8-million deal for Gardner-Johnson pulls him away from the Philadelphia Eagles and helps flip Detroit’s secondary from a large weak point right into a stable unit. Gardner-Johnson can line up within the slot or security because the Lions look to win their first division title since 1993.

Gardner-Johnson is acquainted with Lions head coach Dan Campbell as their careers overlapped in New Orleans — Campbell as an assistant from 2016-20 and Gardner-Johnson as a participant from 2019-21.

In 2023, Detroit — which completed 2022 with a 9-8 document — would be the clear favourite in a division the place Inexperienced Bay is more likely to lose QB Aaron Rodgers. Elsewhere within the division, Minnesota has reduce a number of key gamers in cost-cutting strikes, and the Bears completed with the league’s worst document in 2022.

Detroit may even make a case for the convention’s greatest roster. The 49ers don’t know who will likely be their QB when the season begins. The Eagles — San Francisco’s opponent within the 2022 NFC title recreation — have misplaced defensive starters Gardner-Johnson and DT Javon Hargrave.

The Lions, in the meantime, return practically each participant from an offense that completed within the high 5. 

Holmes has checked off all his offseason wants within the secondary (together with at CB with the addition of Cameron Sutton) and introduced again key free brokers. Solely vast receiver D.J. Chalk stays un-signed, and if he leaves, the Lions will possible want a veteran wideout. However that’s hardly an enormous want.

Moreover, Detroit has 4 picks within the high 80 alternatives of the 2023 NFL Draft — together with two first-rounders (Nos. 6 and 18) — but it surely gained’t have to handle wants and might merely take one of the best participant out there.

For a staff that hasn’t gained a postseason recreation since 1991, this can be a dreamy offseason certainly.