Twentyman: The veteran Alualu was signed to Detroit’s practice squad late in the season.
Once he got acclimated, he was elevated for the last two games of the regular season. He was signed to the active roster for Detroit’s playoff run and notched six tackles, two quarterback hits and was credited with a half sack in the NFC Championship Game. We’ll see if Alualu is interested in playing a 15th season in 2024.
2. Kicker Michael Badgley
2023 stats (including playoffs): 7-for-7 field goals, 24-for-26 extra points
Twentyman: Badgley took over for Riley Patterson Week 15 after the two had competed in practice throughout the middle portion of the season. Badgley was solid down the stretch making every kick he attempted in the playoffs, including a 54-yarder that ended up being the game winner vs. the Rams in the Wild Card. The Lions are likely to take a look at the kicker position this offseason.
3. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
2023 stats (including playoffs): Did not attempt a pass
- Twentyman: Starting quarterback Jared Goff was blessed with good health all season and didn’t miss a snap except for some late-game mop up duty when the outcome had already been decided. Bridgewater brought a ton of experience and knowledge to the quarterback room and Goff benefited from that wisdom in prep and on gameday. He’s expected to retire this offseason
TWENTYMAN: A look at the Lions’ 32 free agents
Jan 31, 2024 at 07:00 AM
twentyman
Tim Twentyman
Senior Writer
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (20)
1. Defensive lineman Tyson Alualu
2023 stats (including playoffs): 10 tackles, 2 QB hits, 0.5 sacks
Twentyman: The veteran Alualu was signed to Detroit’s practice squad late in the season. Once he got acclimated, he was elevated for the last two games of the regular season. He was signed to the active roster for Detroit’s playoff run and notched six tackles, two quarterback hits and was credited with a half sack in the NFC Championship Game. We’ll see if Alualu is interested in playing a 15th season in 2024.
2. Kicker Michael Badgley
2023 stats (including playoffs): 7-for-7 field goals, 24-for-26 extra points
Twentyman: Badgley took over for Riley Patterson Week 15 after the two had competed in practice throughout the middle portion of the season. Badgley was solid down the stretch making every kick he attempted in the playoffs, including a 54-yarder that ended up being the game winner vs. the Rams in the Wild Card. The Lions are likely to take a look at the kicker position this offseason.
3. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
2023 stats (including playoffs): Did not attempt a pass
Twentyman: Starting quarterback Jared Goff was blessed with good health all season and didn’t miss a snap except for some late-game mop up duty when the outcome had already been decided. Bridgewater brought a ton of experience and knowledge to the quarterback room and Goff benefited from that wisdom in prep and on gameday. He’s expected to retire this offseason.
Campbell on special group of guys
4. Tight end Anthony Firkser
2023 stats (including playoffs): 1 rec., 8 yards
Twentyman: Firkser stepped up to the plate late in the season and became Detroit’s No. 2 tight end after Brock Wright (hip/forearm) and James Mitchell (hand) suffered injuries. He was really good in the run game. He’s not that far removed from back-to-back 39 and 34 catch seasons in Tennessee in 2020 and 2021.
5. Defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson
2023 stats (including playoffs): 29 tackles, 4 PD, 2 INT
Twentyman: Gardner-Johnson was one of Detroit’s biggest free-agent acquisitions this offseason but he suffered a torn pectoral muscle the second week of the season vs. Seattle, a game he completed despite suffering the injury in the first half. Credit to him for returning Week 18. He recorded a key interception in the Lions’ Divisional Round win over Tampa Bay. With Brian Branch secure at nickel, and Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu at safety, it will be interesting to see what Detroit’s level of interest is in re-signing Gardner-Johnson.
6. Guard Graham Glasgow
2023 stats (including playoffs): 20 games (18 starts), 4 penalties, 3.5 sacks allowed
Twentyman: Glasgow might have been Detroit’s most valuable free-agent signing from last offseason. He started at right guard, left guard and center this season and there’s terrific value knowing a team has an interior offensive lineman with his kind of experience that can start all three spots along the interior and play all three at a really high level. Glasgow said this week he’d love to be back in Detroit next season and that seems to make sense for both sides.
