Alex Anzalone's importance to the Detroit Lions' defense was reinforced during the 2024 campaign after he returned from injury and clearly provided a massive boost to the unit. Despite that, one NFL analyst thinks Anzalone is a cut candidate for 2025.

Injury prevention is at the forefront of everybody’s mind especially after the high number of injuries to the Detroit Lions defense in 2024. One actionable way to prevent injuries is to try to limit the number caused by friendly fire – teammates hitting each other.

The Detroit Lions are facing a pivotal offseason after a disappointing end to the 2024 campaign. Entering the year with Super Bowl aspirations, the Lions fell short with a loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round.

The Detroit Lions' 2024 season was a success, and it's time to evaluate with final position grades. Today, we're concluding with the defense.

Niemann finished the 2024 season with 25 tackles (11 solo), one pass breakup and one fumble recovery across 17 regular-season games.

Look for the New York Jets to target these free agents with ties to head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.

Former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is off to Chicago to lead the Bears. Former defensive Aaron Glenn is now the head coach of the New York Jets. Both will be missed in Detroit, but Campbell and company must move forward with the assistants remaining. That process has already begun.

Many of the Lions' top free agents on defense are coming off season-ending injuries, including Carlton Davis and Derrick Barnes.

According to an NFL insider, former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator and New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is expected to hotly pursue Lions free agents, including one of the team's linebackers.

The Detroit Lions' defense was decimated by injuries in 2024. Entering the year with plenty of promise, the Lions lost several key cogs in their operation to season-ending injuries over the course of the 18-game regular season.

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) and Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) take down Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.

Other cut candidates include the following: Kalif Raymond has become a fan favorite in Detroit as is customary with the undersized, fairly successful kick returner. However, Raymond’s overall productivity could be cheaply replaced if the team felt like clearing a small amount of cap space in 2025.