By Blessing 
Levi Onwuzurike’s journey in the NFL has been anything but smooth. From being a high second-round pick in 2021 to enduring a full season on the sidelines after spinal fusion surgery, he’s had to fight just to stay in the league—let alone earn a second contract. But now, against the odds, he’s secured that next opportunity.
The Detroit Lions have re-signed Onwuzurike to a one-year deal worth $5.5 million, a move many analysts are calling a bargain for the team. It’s not just about money, though—this deal is a testament to patience, perseverance, and mutual belief between player and team.
The Lions never gave up on him. Despite his setbacks, the organization stood by one of general manager Brad Holmes’ earliest draft picks. And that faith is finally starting to pay off. Onwuzurike began to flash the talent that made him such a coveted pick, delivering impactful moments on the field in 2024.
The decision to stay in Detroit wasn’t just about a contract—it was about connection.
“I think the trust that the coaches have in me; I think how much they’ve invested in me, and just the relationship we have at the end of the day when it came down to it,” Onwuzurike said.
“This was kind of like, ‘All right, do I really need to keep looking, or do I just go with who I’ve already built a relationship with.’”
That relationship helped Detroit fill a major gap on the defensive line internally. Onwuzurike brings versatility that’s hard to find—capable of playing inside or outside and creating havoc in either spot. He thrives in that flexibility, something that continues to be a strength in his game.
Last season, he tied for second on the team with 45 pressures and finished in the top 15 among his position peers with a 12.5% pass-rush win rate. That progress was the result of his first fully healthy offseason in the NFL, where he was finally able to add weight and keep it on—something that translated to noticeable power on the field.
“I think now is the time to start really looking at sacks,” he said. “Getting them. I had a lot of pressures, that means I should have a lot of sacks. I’ve just got to put it all together.”
“It’s really just about making the play once you get there. At the end of the day, for some guys, it’s a little bit of luck. But really just got make the play (and) have the right guys around you. If you put Hutch to my left, Mac to my right (and) have DJ with us, (and) Davenport, one of us are going to get a sack. It’s going to happen. It’s bound to happen.”
As for free agency, Onwuzurike admitted it wasn’t exactly his cup of tea.
“It’s a lot of sitting and waiting, not knowing where you’re going to be,” he said. “When it came down to it, it just made the most sense to go with the people who’ve stuck with me from the start.”
Even with a new defensive line coach stepping in—Kacy Rodgers replacing Terrell Williams—Onwuzurike feels grounded. While he acknowledged Williams’ departure is a loss, he’s optimistic about the future under Rodgers.
“I just met him for the first time. Real cool dude,” Onwuzurike said. “He has a good plan for us. You could tell he’s excited. You can tell he has individual expectations for every different player, (and) he’s going to use that to put us in the right spot. I like where his head is at.”
As someone who’s now seen plenty of turnover in coaching—four different D-line coaches in four years—he knows it’s part of the game.
“I don’t think it’s difficult to be honest. We know how the league is. People moving, people moving up, some guys had that happen in college. I think everybody is used to it. I don’t think it’s as big as a deal — obviously, losing a coach like coach T, that’s huge. But we got another great coach in Kacy.”
For Levi Onwuzurike, it’s been a long road back—but now, he’s right where he wants to be.