Now into the second week of 2025 free agency, it's easy to notice and somewhat lament the Detroit Lions' lack of activity. Cornerback DJ Reed was a nice signing, but he's also been the only notable outside addition as Detroit has focused on keeping many of "their own."
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On that front, the Lions brought back linebacker Derrick Barnes on a three-year, $25.5 million deal ($16 million guaranteed) before free agency started. It was a noticeably good deal for Barnes based on those details, but he has become a key piece of the defense and well-suited to the multi-faceted SAM linebacker role the Lions have largely struggled to fill.
Barnes is also coming off a knee injury that ended his 2024 season in Week 3. He did not tear his right ACL (MCL and PCL "only"), and when he spoke to reporters after his new contract became official he said he'll be ready for the offseason program.
The finer details of Barnes contract don't look too bad, though the fully guaranteed $7.49 base salary for 2026 sort of stands out. For better or worse, the Lions are married to him contractually for the next two years.
PFF laments contract Lions gave Derrick Barnes
In naming favorite and least-favorite free agency moves for each team (thus far), Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus named Barnes as his least favorite for the Lions.
"The Lions invested significant money to retain Barnes — well over projections — indicating they have a plan for the 25-year-old defender who is coming off a season-ending knee injury. Given the uncertainty surrounding Barnes’ place in this defense, Detroit could have likely secured him on a more cost-effective short-term deal."
PFF projected a one-year, $2.75 million deal ($1.15 million guaranteed) for Barnes. So by that measure the Lions really overdid it. If they had any competition for Barnes it's fair to assume the most significant came from the New York Jets, with former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as head coach.
Back in late-January, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reported Glenn was going to target some Lions' defensive free agents to bring with him to New York. Among all the possible options, Barnes was specifically named in Pauline's reporting.
Even with the likelihood at least one notable team had an offer on the table, it's worth wondering if the Lions really had to go to three years (and $16 million guaranteed) to keep Barnes around. And if they did, hindsight may prove they'd have been better off letting him go.
