Detroit Lions’ EDGE Defenders’ 2025 contract status

This offseason, the Lions will be looking for an EDGE complement for Aidan Hutchinson.

Should the Lions trade two first-round picks for Myles Garrett?

This offseason, the Lions are looking for EDGE help.

Aidan Hutchinson was the team’s top EDGE defender and pass-rusher in 2024, despite only appearing in five games. Detroit general manager Brad Holmes’ trade deadline acquisition, Za’Darius Smith, had the second-most sacks on the team (four).

The Lions struggled at the EDGE position this season, with only Hutchinson and Smith providing significant production.

Here are the contract statuses of the EDGE defenders who played in Detroit during the 2024 season.

Aidan Hutchinson

Hutchinson, the Lions’ best EDGE rusher, ended the 2024 season on injured reserve after fracturing his tibia and fibula against the Cowboys in Week 6. Nonetheless, he managed to record a team-high 7.5 sacks this season.

The 2022 first-rounder is signed with Detroit until 2025, with a cap hit of $11,365,351 for the upcoming season. He also has $11,365,351 in remaining guarantees.

Marcus Davenport

Due to an elbow injury, Davenport, who joined Honolulu Blue as a free agent last offseason, only played two games in 2024.

The veteran defender’s contract expires five days after the Super Bowl, making him an unrestricted free agent. In 2025, he will have a $2,297,500 cap hit and the same amount in remaining guarantees.

Josh Paschal

In 2024, Paschal was one of Detroit’s two starters at EDGE. He recorded two sacks, 22 quarterback hurries, and 31 total pressures in 14 games (10 starts).

The Kentucky product will count $2,461,346 against the cap in 2025. Furthermore, he has $701,483 in guarantees left on his rookie contract.

Za’Darius Smith

Smith, a trade deadline acquisition, was Detroit’s top pass-rusher outside of Hutchinson in 2024. He had four sacks in eight games with the Lions after joining from the Browns.

The veteran EDGE is signed through 2025 and has a cap hit of $5,757,500 for the upcoming season.

Smith’s status with the Lions in 2025 is uncertain. The escalators in his contract, which will take effect over the next six months, could cost the organization an additional $5.25 million in 2026 (when he is not on the roster), with $9.5 million guaranteed. If the Lions choose to cut him before March 15, they will not incur any cap penalties or future costs.

John Cominsky

In 2024, Cominsky suffered a torn MCL during training camp and did not play a single down.

The Lions fan favorite will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Al Quadin Muhammad

Muhammad advanced from the practice squad to become a valuable reserve for the Lions at EDGE. He finished with three sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, and 24 total pressures in nine games.

The 29-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Mitchell Agude

Agude finished the 24th season as a reserve on Dan Campbell’s squad. He played 40 snaps and recorded three tackles and a forced fumble in four games.

The undrafted free agent will be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason. Agude can only negotiate a contract with the Lions, unless Detroit allows him to enter free agency.

Jonah Williams

Williams appeared in nine games for three teams in 2024, including two with the Lions. During his short time in Detroit, he only had one quarterback hit.

The 29-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Isaac Ukwu

Ukwu, an undrafted free agent signed by the Lions last offseason, finished the ’24 season on the practice squad.

The 26-year-old is currently signed to a futures contract, which means he will not count against the salary cap until free agency begins. At that point, the Lions will face a $840,000 cap hit from Ukwu.

Nate Lynn

Lynn, like Ukwu, signed as an undrafted free agent last offseason and spent the season on injured reserve.

The 22-year-old is signed until 2026 and will count $965,000 against the cap this season. Additionally, he has only $10,000 in remaining guarantees.

Vito has been covering the NFL and the Detroit Lions for the last five years. Has extensive reporting experience covering college athletics, including the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Mercy Athletics. Chirco’s work includes NFL columns, analyzing potential Detroit Lions college prospects, NFL draft coverage, and NFL event analysis. Extensive broadcasting experience, including hosting a Detroit Tigers podcast and co-hosting a Detroit Lions football podcast since 2019.