The Lions’ best move would be to not extend Aidan Hutchinson or Jameson Williams this year and instead go all in on Kerby Joseph.

The Detroit Lions face a significant offseason. They can have a strong free agency and draft and put themselves back in contention for a third NFC North title and a trip to the Super Bowl.

Before that, there are questions about who the Lions will sign to big contracts. Right now, the most popular names are Kerby Joseph, Aidan Hutchinson, and Jameson Williams. Only one of these players should get a contract this offseason, and it is not Hutchinson or Williams. It is all about Kerby. Here’s why.

Hutchinson and Williams were both first-round draft picks, making them eligible for fifth-year options. The Lions can defer their contracts for a year and deal with them the following year.

In addition, Hutchinson was sidelined for nearly the entire season, and Williams was suspended. It’s likely that both players will want to wait until next year. That way, they can have a successful season while increasing their profits. Based on those factors, the Lions would not currently offer them top dollar.

Joseph is coming off an All-Pro season in which he also received votes for Defensive Player of the Year. The Lions have a chance to do something similar to what they did with Penei Sewell, Jared Goff, and Amon-Ra St. Brown last offseason, and that means getting ahead of the market.

Joseph isn’t the only top safety looking for an extension this offseason. Kyle Hamilton, a Ravens All-Pro, is also present. Many believe Hamilton is about to become the league’s highest-paid safety, surpassing Antione Winfield Jr. If the Lions can reach an agreement with Joseph before Hamilton, they could end up getting a great deal.

We worked with cap expert Joshua Queipo to determine the cost of Joseph’s extension, which resulted in a four-year deal worth $82 million, with $46 million guaranteed. This would result in Joseph earning $20.5 million per year.

Hamilton has a four-year contract with Queipo worth $90 million and an annual percentage yield of $22.5 million. As previously stated, Joseph’s deal would look pretty good if they could complete it first.

Hutchinson and Williams will be satisfied with their fifth-year option amounts in 2026. Hutchinson is set to earn a fully guaranteed $22,612,000, while Williams will earn a fully guaranteed $15,161,000.

They will most likely be extended before they reach 2026. Hutchinson could be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, and Williams could earn a lot too.

Four former Lions who may return to Detroit in free agency this offseason

This article was motivated by a variety of sources. One of them is a group of irrational Detroit Lions fans who are contemplating whether the team should engage in a trade with the Rams in order to secure Matthew Stafford’s return. By the way, that is absolutely not the case.

The other is that Jalen Reeves-Maybin returned to the Lions in 2023 and had an All-Pro season, which prompted me to consider which players could return to Detroit in the upcoming offseason. Therefore, I am currently reinitiating the process for recreational purposes. The following are four former Lions who may return to Detroit in 2025 and the rationale behind their potential return.

KhaDarel Hodge, WR

Hodge’s offensive performance during his tenure with the Lions in 2021 was relatively unremarkable. He was selected to his inaugural Pro Bowl this year as a result of his performance as a gunner on special teams for the Falcons.

That is the area in which Detroit could benefit from his services this year. At present, Khalil Dorsey, their current gunner, is eligible for free agency following a leg injury sustained in December. We are uncertain about the future of the situation; however, we are aware that Hodge is proficient in that position and can also provide assistance on offense. Last year, the Lions were deficient in receiver depth, and this individual has the potential to address that issue, in addition to contributing to special teams. It is worthwhile to investigate.

S Quandre Diggs

Quandre, it is time to return home. The Lions have their starters at safety in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, and they are expected to resign Ifeatu Melifonwu in free agency. However, given the number of moving parts in the secondary, it would be logical to retain Branch at the nickel position, start Melifonwu, and have Diggs return to Detroit as a backup. It is impossible to envision a Super Bowl victory without this individual.

He may not be the same player he was in Detroit or Seattle, but he still has the potential to play a depth role and plays with the same level of aggression as Dan Campbell and Kelvin Sheppard. Realize it.

CB Mike Hughes

At present, the possibility of Carlton Davis returning to Detroit is uncertain. The Lions are adequately equipped with starters in the event that this does not transpire; however, they could benefit from a truly reliable depth player, and Hughes is that player.

In 2022, he did not have the most successful season with the Lions; however, in 2024, he had a fairly satisfactory season as a starter for the Falcons. In Detroit, he could establish the position that the Lions had hoped Emmanuel Moseley would achieve this year. In a pinch, a rotational player who can flex in and out to serve as a starter. Hughes is also proficient in special teams.

Axis Julian Okwara

Defensive line depth is indispensable, and although Okwara will never be the individual we anticipated upon his graduation from Notre Dame, he demonstrated glimpses of potential as a quality depth player in Detroit and enjoyed a successful season with the Cardinals this year. Although this is unlikely to occur due to the Lions’ intention to conduct a complete renovation of the edge room, it is not a bad idea if they are seeking depth.

The Lions’ hiring of Tashard Choice shows the team’s dedication to the growth of Jahymr Gibbs and the Lions’ dedication to being a run first team