The Detroit Lions have been an NFC powerhouse for each of the past two seasons, reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2023 and posting a 15-2 record in 2024. While the core of the team is back for 2025, no team is the exact same from year-to-year and needs some new faces to step up.
The Lions are in that position after a few players departed this year. With others rehabbing from injuries, Detroit will need to find a reclamation project to stay at the top of the NFC North. It opens the door for one new face to make an immediate impact and if his minicamp performance is a precursor, he could be on his way to become a revelation in the Motor City.
Lions LB Grant Stuard Has Momentum After Strong Offseason
The Lions made an under-the-radar signing when they added linebacker Grant Stuard in free agency. Stuard was selected to replace the recently departed Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who was a key member of the Lions’ special teams unit, but he’s already shown some upside as a defender during offseason workouts and minicamp.
Stuard’s impressive offseason began when Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire reported that his notes were “littered with Stuard making plays” during an OTAs practice. It continued when special teams coordinator Dave Fipp hurled superlatives to Richard Silva of The Detroit News.
“We’re fired up about Grant,” Fipp said. “When we played against him, all the guys in the room were really like, ‘This guy plays with his hair on fire. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s a tough out every single play.’ When he’s in coverage, punt or kickoff, he’s making a tackle or showing up around the ball, and he’s going to demand a lot of resources from the opponent. I would say that’s the biggest thing.”
The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy also noted Stuard could be a solid under the radar addition, calling him a “Dave Fipp signing.”
“Stuard, a free agent addition from the [Indianapolis Colts], figures to be a core special teams player with defensive upside,” Pouncy wrote. “He stepped in as a starter for the Colts last season and recorded 19 tackles in a game. But think of him as a Jalen Reeves-Maybin replacement. This was a Dave Fipp signing.”
Stuard broke into the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but caught the Lions’ attention as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. His biggest play has been on special teams with a 69.9 grade in his rookie season and he’s logged 1,306 special teams snaps according to Pro Football Focus. But Stuard also logged a career-high 229 defensive snaps with Indianapolis and could be walking into a hidden opportunity in the Lions linebacker room.
Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes are locked into starting roles for Detroit, but the Lions are working through a contract dispute with Alex Anzalone. While the Lions signed Zach Cunningham to replace him, Malcolm Rodriguez is recovering from a torn ACL and could open up a chance to play defensive snaps early in the year.
The most direct opportunity for snaps is to make a name on special teams and Stuard has done that during OTAs. But if things go well, he could have a bigger role and become a key depth piece for the Lions next season.