The Detroit Lions enter the 2025 season with high hopes but face fresh concerns after a bold offseason move. Despite optimism surrounding stars like Aidan Hutchinson returning from injury, a recent addition could unexpectedly derail their progress.
Detroit signed former Jets cornerback D.J. Reed to a three-year, $48 million deal, aiming to shore up a shaky secondary. However, analyst Joe Summers of Detroit Rock City raised alarms, suggesting Reed might unintentionally “sabotage the team from within.”
Summers pointed out that while Reed graded well last season — ranking 42nd out of 222 cornerbacks at Pro Football Focus — he’s entering an age (29) when many corners begin to decline. He cited examples like former Chiefs standout L’Jarius Sneed, whose performance sharply fell after his prime.
Another concern: Reed’s presence in the starting lineup could stunt the development of younger talents like Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., both of whom the Lions hope will become future cornerstones of their defense.
“The Lions’ margin for error got a lot smaller this offseason,” Summers warned. “Now Reed needs to play like a top-tier cornerback to justify his contract.”
While Reed’s experience could still prove valuable, all eyes will be on whether he helps stabilize the secondary — or becomes a costly misstep.
New Lions Cornerback Could Sabotage Detroit’s Season, Analyst Warns
