The Detroit Lions have begun their 2025 roster cuts in order to get down to 53 players by the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday. But the first batch of roster cuts has—in some ways—created more questions than they’ve answered.
So as we await the final 20 roster moves over the next few days, here are the biggest questions currently facing the Lions and their roster construction.
Kyle Allen won the backup job, and it was no surprise to see Hendon Hooker waived after a rough preseason.
However, this creates a significant vacancy on the roster. Detroit has shown their preference for having a third quarterback on the roster, although they typically occupy a spot on the practice squad. While it may seem like an insignificant decision, remember, Detroit is the team that introduced a rule regarding a third, emergency quarterback. It matters to them.
It’s possible, but doesn’t seem probable, that Hooker could clear waivers and return to the Lions in that role. Instead, Detroit may have to choose from a long list of cut quarterbacks. That list already includes Tyler Huntley, Tommy DeVito, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Ben DiNucci, Kyle Trask, and Bryce Perkins. And there are more likely to come on Tuesday.
How many receivers will the Lions keep?
One of the more surprising moves on Monday was waiving rookie receiver Jackson Meeks. The 6-foot-2 receiver led the team in receiving yards in the preseason and looked to be valued on special teams.
Does this mean rookie seventh-round pick Dominic Lovett has won the sixth receiver spot behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Kalif Raymond, and Tim Patrick? Or will the Lions only keep five? Or is it possible the Lions could surprise and let one of the assumed “in” players go?
Who won the backup offensive tackle job?
Dan Skipper was my pick for the most surprising cut of Monday. I thought he was basically a shoo-in for the backup tackle job.
While many seem to believe this is just a procedural move and he’ll return to the 53-man roster, I’m not so sure. I don’t see a practical need for the roster gymnastics, given that they only have a couple of injured players who would require such a move.
If I had to venture a guess right now, I think Jamarco Jones quietly beat out Skipper for the OT3 job. But we’ll have a clearer picture of the situation once the dust settles on the Lions’ 53-man roster and 16-man practice squad.
Is a Za’Darius Smith signing coming?
With Ahmed Hassanein out for a while and Nate Lynn waived on Monday, the Lions’ defensive end room is a bit puzzling at the moment. Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Al-Quadin Muhammad seem relatively safe, but who will back that group up? Isaac Ukwu is the only player left who hasn’t been cut and is currently healthy, so the answer is either him, no one, or someone not on the roster yet.
That has led many—including myself—to believe that a signing of Za’Darius Smith should happen. The Lions and Smith have shared interest in a return, and given the way Detroit’s defensive end room has played out, it seems now is the time to come to a financial agreement that has eluded the two sides all offseason.
How will the defensive tackle room shake out?
In the first wave of reported cuts, the Lions cut Myles Adams and Brodric Martin. Both were relatively long shots to make the 53-man roster, so it hasn’t provided much clarity on how the room will look to start the season. While it’s fair to say DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez, and Pat O’Connor are relative locks, it’s hard to know exactly what Detroit is going to do with Mekhi Wingo, Keith Cooper, and Chris Smith. Are there two roster spots waiting for those three, or just one?
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