6 Lions Who Won't Return in 2025 With Season Officially Over

5. Derrick Barnes, LB

Derrick Barnes was selected with the 113th pick of the 2021 NFL draft by the Lions. Barnes was an intriguing talent given his versatility, as he played both inside linebacker and edge rusher while he was at Purdue.

In his first few seasons, Barnes played middle linebacker when he saw the field. Barnes experienced limited action in those two seasons, with snap counts of 39% in 2021 and 35% in 2022. He made the most of his opportunities though, recording 114 tackles, three sacks, seven tackles for loss, and three pass deflections.

Barnes's production earned him an increased role in his third season. However, 2023 was the first season Barnes saw action at outside linebacker, thanks to the emergence of 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell.

In 2023, Barnes started 13 games, playing 68% of the defensive snaps. In that playing time, he recorded 81 tackles (fourth on the team), five tackles for loss (sixth), five quarterback hits, one sack and one forced fumble. Barnes's breakout season proved he could be a key contributor to the Lions' defense going forward.

Sadly, Barnes sustained a season-ending knee injury three games into the 2024 campaign. A serious injury like that significantly impacts a player like Barnes, who is in the final year of his rookie contract. If Barnes was healthy all of 2024 and played well, Detroit would have definitely extended him already.

Since that didn't happen the Lions have a tough decision to make on the price they are willing to pay for Barnes. If Detroit isn't willing to pay what he is asking, Barnes would have no problem joining Glenn in New York.