As the Detroit Lions‘ regular season comes to an end, the 8-5 team still has hope for making the postseason, and they have a 52% chance of doing so, according to NFL research. But, after this season wraps up, whether the Lions finally walk away with a championship win or not, they’ll have to cut ties with certain players.
Teams have to part with players in the NFL each season for a variety of reasons. Even when players are talented and well-liked, because the league is structured around constant change and strict limits, teams have difficult choices to make.
The NFL salary cap, obviously, is the biggest driver. It’s a hard ceiling on how much money a team is allowed spend in a given year, so even if a player is performing at a high level, their contract might become too expensive for a team trying to pay an entire roster of 53 active players, plus practice-squad depth. Injuries can also play a role. If good players have been out a lot, that may make a franchise question whether they’re worth the risk of keeping around.
On top of that, players themselves may want new opportunities, more playing time or contracts their current team just can’t justify. So, NFL rosters change every year not because teams don’t value their good players, but because of other, unavoidable factors. In that spirit, the Detroit Lions may be forced to part with a veteran player come the end of the season.
Detroit Lions May Part With Veteran Favorite
Wide receiver Kalif Raymond has been out for the past two games with an ankle injury, but he’s back at practice, albeit limited, ahead of the team’s game on Sunday, December 14, against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.
On Thursday, December 11, Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp official Lions team writer Tim Twentyman that while Tom Kennedy will still be the team’s kick returner, Raymond will be the team’s punt returner, if he’s healthy enough.
In a piece out on Thursday, December 11, from Chris Schad of Detroit Jock City, Schad makes the case that Raymond’s days may be numbered with the team. In the piece, he says that “Raymond’s role could be on borrowed time as the Lions prepare for the Rams and potentially some offseason plans.”
Detroit Lions Player Has Been a ‘Serviceable Depth Receiver’
“Raymond has been a serviceable depth receiver and a kick returner since joining the Lions in 2021, but his performance has tailed off considerably this season,” Schad said, adding that even though he scored second-team All-Pro honors for his work as a punt returner, his average has almost been cut in half this season, and he’s had a smaller role in the offense.
Looking at NFL research, Raymond’s overall production has gone down from his high of catching 47 passes for 616 yards during the 2022 Detroit Lions season.
“If anything, Raymond’s clock is already ticking despite Fipp’s comments,” Schad added, “and it could lead to his way out of Detroit in the coming weeks.”
So, this is one longtime Lions player who could make a switch during the offseason. But, for now, let’s hope he’s healthy and delivers for the team against the Rams.
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