Detroit Lions restricted free-agent wideout Tom Kennedy looks likely to remain with the team that gave him a chance as a plucky undrafted free agent in 2019. Fellow (and now former) Lions wide receiver/kick returner Kalif Raymond defected within the NFC North on the second day of the NFL's legal tampering period.
"The Bears are signing former Lions WR and returner Kalif Raymond, adding an intriguing weapon in Chicago," NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday.
It appears Raymond was a cap sacrifice with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa, not to mention anyone the Lions may find in the draft, all competing for snaps. He didn't help his case during the 2025 season in the Motor City, averaging just 7.5 yards per return.
Right when it was time to get paid by Detroit, Raymond gave general manager Brad Holmes and Co. pause. The numbers worked against Raymond, who will make $5.1 million on a one-year contract in the Windy City after making $1.8 million with the Lions last season.
Detroit decided to punt on his raise and hand it off to a rival that had a greater need for Raymond. Now, it's up to Kennedy to prove that was the right call.
Tom Kennedy Made Kalif Raymond an Easy Player to Let Go
Kennedy makes Raymond expendable in many ways, given how admirably he filled in as the team's punt-return specialist this past season. Averaging 16.7 yards per return during the 2025 season, Kennedy is an effective special teams difference-maker who won't break anyone's bank.
Raymond made himself expendable, falling behind TeSlaa in production with just 24 catches for 289 yards and one touchdown compared to TeSlaa's six touchdowns on fewer receptions. Kennedy's per-return numbers were also better for the last two seasons, though.
Kennedy is likely to sign a one-year deal worth a fraction of Raymond's cost, as he remains an RFA. He has never signed more than a one-year deal, and he's been on and off the practice squad for his entire seven years in Detroit. He's not about to ask for a massive raise, especially after recording only four catches for 36 yards last season.
With Raymond gone, the Lions have an obvious punt-returner role for Kennedy to fill, as well as room for him to take on some WR4/5 responsibilities behind St. Brown, Williams, and TeSlaa.
While Raymond's first two years in Detroit looked like they could be a bellwether for what was to come, he became someone the Lions couldn't rely on. Kennedy and Dominic Lovett can effectively replace him while playing on team-friendly deals.
Now it's on Detroit to do the thing and trust Kennedy, someone who's fought his way to be on the roster for his entire time in a Lions uniform.