Carlton Davis III Ready to Test Free Agency as Lions Focus Elsewhere
With NFL free agency fast approaching, Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III is making it clear—he won’t settle for anything less than what he believes he’s worth. Davis, who was traded to Detroit from Tampa Bay last season, is set to hit the open market when the legal tampering period begins on March 11, and he’s preparing to find the best possible situation for his career.
During a recent interview with Michael Silver of The Athletic, Davis opened up about how he’s approaching free agency differently this time around. He admitted that in his last free agency experience, he rushed into a decision. “I feel like last time, I just kind of panicked,” Davis said. “I was younger, and my mindset was, ‘I need to go ahead and just choose.’” Now, with several years of experience under his belt, he’s entering free agency with a clear understanding of his value and a willingness to wait for the right deal.
Davis Doesn’t Expect the Lions to Push for His Return
While some speculated that Detroit might work to retain Davis, the cornerback doesn’t believe the Lions are making an aggressive push to keep him. He acknowledged his impact as a physical, aggressive corner who excels in both the passing and running game, but he isn’t counting on Detroit making him a priority.
“There are very few corners in the NFL—you can probably name five—who have the same presence in the passing game and the running game,” Davis said. “I bring aggression and coverage skills, and I’ve been displaying both for years.”
Detroit’s front office, led by GM Brad Holmes, has a history of being selective with big contracts, particularly when it comes to veteran players. If Davis is looking for a top-dollar deal, the Lions may choose to allocate their resources elsewhere, likely targeting younger cornerbacks in the draft or more affordable options in free agency.
It’s About Value, Not Just Money
Despite the financial implications, Davis insists his free agency decision isn’t just about chasing the biggest paycheck. “It’s not, ‘I need the money,’” he clarified. “I want to be happy. I’ve won a Super Bowl and I’ve already made a lot of money. If it was to end right now, I wouldn’t be disappointed. I would not be mad at all.”
However, that doesn’t mean he’s willing to take a discount. Davis emphasized that with the NFL salary cap increasing and teams spending more on receivers and defensive backs, he has no reason to settle for a lesser deal.
“For me, playing at this high level, to take less than I’m worth, I’d be doing myself a disservice and my family a disservice. I’m not doing that this time,” Davis stated.
What’s Next for Davis and the Lions?
If Davis does leave Detroit, the Lions will need to address the cornerback position in free agency or the draft. With young talents like Iowa’s Cooper DeJean or Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry projected as potential first-round picks, Detroit could look to add a high-upside rookie rather than committing major money to a veteran.
Meanwhile, Davis will have plenty of suitors in free agency. Teams looking for a physical, experienced cornerback will likely be interested in his skill set. At 28 years old, he still has plenty of good years ahead, and his confidence in himself is evident.
“Guys who know ball understand the impact that I have,” Davis said. “Teams know about me. They scheme around me. They’re scared of me. They know what’s up.”
As free agency unfolds, it will be interesting to see where Davis lands and whether the Lions make any last-minute efforts to retain him. For now, though, it seems Detroit is prepared to let him walk.
Detroit Lions’ Intentions for Carlton Davis III in Free Agency Revealed
