Questions and Answers Regarding the Detroit Lions’ 2024 Offseason: Available Cap Space and Prospective Targets for NFL Free Agency
The Detroit Lions are setting their sights on the ultimate goal for the 2024 season following a taste of playoff success this year.
Despite falling agonizingly short of their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, crumbling in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game, the Lions are now determined to spend the next eight months devising a plan to return to that stage and overcome the final hurdle before the 2024 season commences in September.
In 2023, the Lions enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in franchise history. They set a franchise record with 14 wins, secured back-to-back playoff victories for the first time since 1957, won their division for the first time since 1993, and progressed in the postseason for the first time since 1991. Despite this success, the pain of the season’s end will linger for coaches and players alike.
Replicating the magic of the 2023 season will undoubtedly be challenging, but the future still appears promising. With a coach and GM duo in Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes whom they trust, along with a roster brimming with young talent from Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta on offense to Aidan Hutchinson and Brian Branch on defense — all drafted under the three-year regime — the Lions have reasons to be optimistic. Most of their key players from this season are under contract for next year, including six of the seven players who received Pro Bowl honors, along with quarterback Jared Goff, who is expected to sign an extension in the offseason.
The first significant development of the offseason was welcomed news: offensive coordinator Ben Johnson withdrew his name from consideration for head coaching jobs with Washington and Seattle to pursue a Super Bowl victory in Detroit.
While defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was slated to interview with Washington for their head coaching vacancy, Washington ultimately opted to hire Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Assuming Glenn’s return, the coaching staff’s core will remain intact for the third consecutive season.
Here are the frequently asked questions for the Lions this offseason, focusing on cap space and NFL free agency:
1. When does the new league year start for the NFL in 2024?
The new league year officially commences on March 13 at 4 p.m., marking the start of free agency and trading. Negotiations between teams and agents of pending unrestricted free agents can begin on March 11 at noon, but official deals cannot be signed until two days later.
2. Who are the Detroit Lions’ free agents in 2024?
NFL rosters undergo significant changes from year to year, and the Lions are no exception, despite most key contributors returning. Numerous Lions players will become free agents this offseason, including starters on both offense and defense. Here are some of the key players whose contracts expire, with their ages listed as of December 1, 2024: [For the full list, please refer to the source].
