The Detroit Lions' 2025 offseason was filled with plenty of change on defense, including cornerback Carlton Davis' Motor City exit. This is the second Super Bowl start of the corner's career, having previously won with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 season. The Lions appeared to believe that bringing in D.J. Reed and counting on a bounce-back year from Terrion Arnold was in the best interest of the franchise.
Fast forward almost a year, and the Lions' decision to move on from Davis has aged incredibly poorly. Detroit is spending this week, much like it has since the start of January, sitting at home, while Davis and the New England Patriots prepare for Super Bowl 60.
Understandably, Lions fans aren't happy with how this has played out, and Davis is only making matters worse. Throughout Super Bowl week, Davis spoke on his breakup with Detroit, making it clear that he wanted to return to the franchise if it wasn't for certain roadblocks, via the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett on Tuesday.
"“It was just the terms of the deal, I’m just going to keep (the specifics) undisclosed. It was like the language inside of it that I wasn’t really fond of. So that was really it for sure.”"Carlton Davis
Birkett's article made it clear that Davis wanted to return and help the Lions chase playoff greatness. It was negotiations and a lack of respect in the contract that led to joining the Patriots. Now, Davis is starting in the Super Bowl while the Lions are dealing with a high level of uncertainty in the future defensive backfield and expected production.
Carlton Davis' Super Bowl Week Comments Revive Old Feelings for Lions
Letting the Davis walk away was one thing if it were the two sides being far too apart in salary due ot cap space. But Davis was willing to accept Detroit's offer, which means that simply tweaking the language in the deal was all that stood between the Lions and bringing the current AFC Champion back to the Motor City.
There is no reversing this either, as Davis signed a three-year, $54 million contract with the Patriots that includes $34.5 in guarantees for the first two years of the contract, per Spotrac. And, so far, the former Lions CB has proven to be worth every penny.
Between the 2025 regular season and playoffs, Davis has allowed only 49 catches on 82 targets (59.8%) for 488 yards, four touchdowns (with two interceptions), and an 82.8 passer rating. His 13 pass break-ups are the most he's amassed since he won his first Super Bowl ring (17), while his 10.0 yards allowed per catch marks a new career-high effort.
It's hard to look at those numbers and not imagine how Davis could've helped the Lions' secondary, which allowed 236.9 receiving yards per game (21st) and 11,8 yards per catch (29th). The lack of stability at cornerback only adds to this as the franchise continues to face uncertain expectations with Reed and Arnold. Add in the complete lack of proven depth behind the duo, and the loss of Davis looks even worse.
Lions fans cannot help but question the front office even more now that Davis is competing for another Lombardi Trophy. Hopefully, Detroit can learn from this experience to help avoid similar offseason blunders in the coming weeks.