By Solomon 
The Detroit Lions are making sure their defensive line is solid heading into next season. After signing D.J. Reed to strengthen the secondary, they shifted focus to the interior defense by bringing in Roy Lopez.
With Alim McNeill’s status uncertain due to a torn ACL from last December, the Lions needed another big guy up front alongside D.J. Reader. And now, they’ve taken another step by re-signing a familiar face on a budget-friendly deal.
Lions Bring Back DT Levi Onwuzurike on a One-Year Contract
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Lions have locked in Levi Onwuzurike for another year with a $5.5 million deal. The former second-round pick from the 2021 draft has battled injuries, missing all of 2022 due to a back issue. But in 2023, he bounced back, playing 16 games and racking up 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a tackle for loss.
This signing is a big deal for a few reasons. It adds depth to the defensive line and makes Onwuzurike the fifth player from the Lions’ 2021 draft class to secure an extension—joining McNeill, Penei Sewell, Derrick Barnes, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Plus, the Lions are getting great value here since Over The Cap estimated Onwuzurike’s play last season to be worth $8.2 million.
Even with former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn leaving to coach the New York Jets, the Lions’ defense is shaping up well. Aidan Hutchinson is returning from a broken leg, and if the team makes a big trade or draft move, Detroit could have one of the NFL’s top defenses.
If everything falls into place, the Lions could be looking at a real shot at their first-ever Super Bowl trip in 2025.