11 Lions Whose Time in Detroit Will End After Divisional Round Loss

Detroit's quest for a Super Bowl title officially ended this weekend. As a result, these 11 Lions likely won't return to the Motor City next season.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (17) warms up before the game between San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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7. Kyle Peko, DT

Kyle Peko's first season with the Lions was a bumpy ride, to say the least.

The former Oregon State defender opened the 2024 campaign on the practice squad before being signed to the 53-man roster in mid-September. Peko only managed to play five games in a Detroit jersey, though, before tearing a pectoral muscle against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, effectively ending his seventh NFL season.

It's going to take a lot of convincing from Peko and his agent if he wants to return to the Lions next season. The 31-year-old defensive tackle barely made an impact when healthy, recording just one solo tackle across 86 defensive snaps before winding up on the injured reserve.

His 36.8 run defense grade on PFF was also the second-worst mark of his career. Given that he's turning 32 years old in July, it's unlikely that his situation will improve going forward.

Look for Peko to attempt to get his career back on track in a new destination next season, assuming that any team is willing to roll the dice following his significant injury.

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