By Moses Joshua 
Veteran Wideout Tom Kennedy Faces Roster Crunch After Seven Seasons in Detroit
After years of bouncing between the Detroit Lions’ active roster and practice squad, wide receiver Tom Kennedy may finally be nearing the end of his journey with the team. Despite being a fan favorite and a symbol of grit and persistence, Kennedy is once again on the outside looking in as the Lions approach final roster decisions for the upcoming season.
A Familiar Face in an Evolving Locker Room
Since head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes took over in 2021, the Lions have undergone a near-complete transformation. Detroit’s current roster bears little resemblance to the team of just a few years ago — save for a few holdovers like Kennedy, who has quietly managed to stick around amid constant change.
Now 28, Kennedy returned for his seventh stint with the team by signing a futures contract in January. However, his path to the final 53-man roster is narrower than ever. In a recent prediction by Christian Booher of Sports Illustrated, Kennedy was notably absent from the projected receiving corps.
Crowded Competition at Wide Receiver
Detroit is rich with talent at wide receiver, headlined by All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is eyeing his third straight elite season. Former first-round pick Jameson Williams is expected to take a major leap, while veterans Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond provide reliability and experience.
“The Lions have a solid nucleus of talent at the wide receiver position, with St. Brown leading the way while looking to put together his third-straight All-Pro season,” Booher noted.
The team also invested in the future by selecting Isaac TeSlaa in the draft after trading up to grab the big-bodied receiver. His combination of size and speed, along with the dynamic skill set of fellow newcomer Dominic Lovett, adds further depth and competition.
“TeSlaa and Lovett add unique skill sets to the group as well,” Booher added. “TeSlaa is a big and fast wideout with great hands, while Lovett is a smaller, shiftier wideout who is consistently a yards-after-catch threat.”
With such a crowded receiver room, Kennedy’s odds of securing a roster spot appear increasingly slim.
From Lacrosse to the NFL — A Rare Journey
Kennedy’s story is nothing short of remarkable. Before joining the NFL, he was a standout two-sport athlete at Bryant University, excelling in both football and lacrosse. In fact, he was drafted by the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse in 2018, making him the rare athlete to play professionally in both sports.
The Lions signed Kennedy in 2019, and he carved out a niche as a dependable, hard-working receiver who knew the system well. But as the team sets its sights on a deep playoff run, roster decisions are increasingly dictated by upside and versatility.
Williams Under the Microscope
As Kennedy’s future hangs in the balance, the Lions are hoping to unlock the full potential of Jameson Williams. Once considered one of the most explosive prospects in his draft class, Williams has had a rocky start to his pro career. Between injuries and suspensions, consistency has been elusive.
Still, head coach Dan Campbell remains optimistic.
“He’s got a ton of growth left, you know?” Campbell said during OTAs. “He’s listening, he’s had a good spring… He’s gotten so much stronger.”
Detroit has exercised the fifth-year option on Williams but has yet to commit beyond that. For both Williams and Kennedy, the 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining one — for very different reasons.
The Final Chapter?
While nothing is official yet, signs point to Tom Kennedy’s time in Detroit coming to an end. In a league where youth and upside often outweigh familiarity and work ethic, the veteran wideout may find himself a casualty of the Lions’ evolution.
Still, if his past resilience is any indication, Kennedy won’t go quietly. Whether in Detroit or elsewhere, he’s proven time and again that he’s ready whenever opportunity knocks.