Will Burchfield

The bulk of Izien’s playing time in Tampa came in his first two seasons when he was a key piece of their defense. He picked off Jared Goff in the Bucs’ win over Detroit in 2024.

The Lions want to “move people vertically and get the run game going,” Mays said. It’s how they steamrolled the NFL for two years. And how they plan to do it again.

Izien was considering “a handful” of teams in free agency. He left most of the talks to his agent, but was seeking a good opportunity on a good team:

Muhammad’s departure leaves the Lions extremely thin at edge rusher across from Aidan Hutchinson. Their only other defensive end on the roster at the moment is Ahmed Hassanein.

A defensive captain in each of his five seasons with the Lions, Anzalone signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Bucs after Detroit declined to extend him.

He played 9:24 Monday night and left his mark. The Michigan native who’s spent 10 long seasons in Grand Rapids is showing his value in Detroit.

He figures to battle Christian Izien and Ennis Rakestraw for significant snaps in the slot after the free agent departure of Amik Robertson.

Wonnum fits the Lions’ mold at defensive end, a physical, big-bodied player who can set an edge against the run and rush the passer with power.

Perron has jumped right into a top-six role on a line with Lucas Raymond and rookie Emmitt Finnie. Wherever he plays, his impact will be felt in the gaps that he fills.

Wonnum and Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard are both from Stone Mountain, Georgia, a small suburb of Atlanta. They went to the same high school.