Technically, the 2025 NFL free agency period won't kick off until March 10, when all 32 teams can begin negotiating with the agents of players with expiring contracts. And even then, signings can't be finalized until March 12. Already, however, teams are permitted to negotiate trades of players and draft picks.

Detroit Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph’s stellar 2024 season didn’t get him onto his first Pro Bowl roster. He’s not sweating the all-star slight, however, and certainly doesn’t feel it negates the

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said that he plans to play next season, the final year of his three-year, $42 million contract.

In a Touchdown Wire article discussing a free agent each NFL team should want to sign this offseason, Lions Wire's Jeff Risdon named Philadelphia Eagles edge Josh Sweat as the free agent the Lions should go after. Sweat has been with the Eagles for all seven of his NFL seasons and has been a key piece of their defense over the years.

Lions safety Brian Branch would seem to check those boxes. In his second NFL season, Branch led Detroit with 79 solo tackles and held opposing quarterbacks to a 73.7 passing-efficiency rating when throwing to receivers he covered in 2024. Branch had more interceptions with four than touchdowns allowed with three.

A $42 million six-time Pro Bowler said the Detroit Lions are one of the two teams he wants to play for next season.

Every move the Lions make should be made with an eye toward the present and future. Here's how that may shake out.

Darius Slay remains a very popular player in Detroit even though the Pro Bowl cornerback has been with the Philadelphia Eagles for the last five seasons. Slay sends the love right back to Lions fans, and he made sure everyone knows the door is open for a potential return.

A familiar face could be an option for the Detroit Lions as they try to sort out their cornerback problems this offseason. The team could have a big need at the position now that C

Jauron also played in the league after the Lions made him a fourth-round pick in 1973 out of Yale. A safety, he played five seasons in Detroit and three in Cincinnati. He appeared in 100 games with 80 starts and made the Pro Bowl in 1974. C.J. Gardner ...

However, if Holmes can look past that, it would be advantageous for the organization to make a serious pursuit of the longtime Eagles defender. Undeniably, Sweat would provide the Lions with a proficient running mate for Hutchinson and beef up the team's pass-rushing department.