Training camp is underway for the Detroit Lions, and they appear to be as feisty as ever. Coming off two highly successful seasons, the Lions are ready to kick down the door and make their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. But they also need to make sure they have all their weaknesses addressed heading into the season.
Last season, the Lions watched 13 defenders land on season-ending injured reserve, sabotaging a 15-2 record in the regular season. This year, the Lions would like to accumulate the depth they didn’t have a year ago, and it has them interested in one of the top remaining free agents as training camp begins.
Lions Expressing Interest in Free Agent LB Kyzir White
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Lions hosted free agent linebacker Kyzir White for a visit on Wednesday. White is a seven-year veteran who has spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals and is coming off a solid 2024 campaign where he logged 137 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass defenses, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
Source: The #Lions hosted LB Kyzir White for a visit today. One of the top remaining free agents available. pic.twitter.com/Ps5RihUDBi
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 23, 2025
While White is still serviceable, the Cardinals chose to go in a younger direction. Fourth-round pick Cody Simon has since become the frontrunner to replace the 29-year-old, and White has been patient in finding the right market value for a deal.
The Lions' interest in White is intriguing on multiple levels. Detroit’s linebacker group had a major storyline when Alex Anzalone showed up to camp without a new contract. Things got worse when Derrick Barnes, who signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension this past offseason, left Thursday’s practice with a hand injury.
But maybe the Lions are just doing their due diligence to create a deeper team this season. Detroit has already visited the training room far too often in the first week of camp, including a season-ending knee injury for Levi Onwuzurike and second-year corner Terrion Arnold also leaving Thursday’s practice early.
In some ways, calling White is the Lions doing their homework ahead of this season and making sure that what happened to them last year doesn’t happen again in 2025.