By Mummy Grace 
While the stars get the headlines, it’s the grinders like Grant Stuard who quietly hold teams together—and the Detroit Lions might be leaning on him earlier than expected in 2025.
With Jalen Reeves-Maybin released and Malcolm Rodriguez not expected back from injury until around November, there’s a real opportunity for Stuard to carve out a meaningful role both on special teams and in the linebacker rotation. And based on what he showed last season in Indianapolis, he’s more than capable.
Stuard made his name as a core-four special teamer, but when injuries hit the Colts in 2024, he stepped up on defense too—racking up 40 tackles, two tackles for loss, and earning a respectable 69.4 PFF grade across five starts. Not bad for a guy who only saw the field for 32 snaps on defense the year before.
Now in Detroit, Stuard’s already getting a feel for the culture. During OTAs, he called the experience “eye-opening,” praising the Lions’ intensity and high standards. And according to MLive, the coaching staff isn’t just penciling him in as a special teams replacement—they’re seeing where he might fit into the defense too.
Given how banged-up the linebacker corps was last year, this kind of depth matters. Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn value versatility and grit, and Stuard brings both. He’s not flashy, but he’s a guy who fights through blocks, finds the football, and brings a spark wherever he lines up.
With special teams duties all but locked in and a real shot to earn early defensive snaps, don’t be surprised if Grant Stuard becomes one of the most important under-the-radar additions of Detroit’s offseason.