6 Lions Immediately on Thin Ice to Begin 2025 Offseason

DT Kyle Peko

There simply won't be many Lions defenders the fanbase will be desperate to bring back. While it is true that Detroit suffered an unsustainable amount of injuries on that end of the field, there were several players on that side of the ball that disappointed during their playing time.

It would behoove the Lions to revamp their defensive unit as much as they can in the offseason. One of the defenders they will likely not want to bring back is veteran defensive tackle Kyle Peko. After signing a one-year deal in Detroit in the 2024 offseason, Peko quickly showed that he wasn't ready to contribute at the highest levels.

Peko was a part of the rotation for the first six weeks of the season, playing in 86 defensive snaps and even starting a game for the Lions. He struggled in that time, though, receiving a 45.8 overall grade on Pro Football Focus. Considering that he received a 38.6 the season prior when he was with the Titans, perhaps that shouldn't be too surprising.

Plus, the 31-year-old suffered an unfortunate pectoral injury in Week 6 that ruled him out for the season. He will be healthy to start next season but it's hard to see the Lions being too interested in re-signing him. A younger player with a higher upside would benefit Detroit as they try to take a step forward defensively.