CBS Sports: Detroit Lions Close in to Sign a Former $21 million Bears veteran DE Starter.
With standout pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson returning in the lineup, the Detroit Lions’ defensive line will be better in 2025, but it’s still unclear if they’ve done enough this offseason to strengthen their defense.
If they persist, may such queries lead them to sign a former starter for the Chicago Bears?
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently suggested that the Lions sign veteran defensive end DeMarcus Walker, who started in Chicago for the previous two seasons, as one of the final free-agent acquisitions that every NFL club should make before the 2025 season begins.
Walker has a link to the Lions because they hosted him in early April for a free-agent visit prior to the 2025 NFL draft. Moton is now pleading with them to go ahead and add him to their squad in order to allay worries regarding Hutchinson’s opponent.
On May 24, Moton reported, “Za’Darius Smith was cut by the Lions.” Over the past two terms, Marcus Davenport has missed 28 games. Walker, who is recovering from a fractured tibia and fibula, would be a more dependable starter and rotational pass-rusher than Aidan Hutchinson.
DeMarcus Walker Provides DL with Inside-Out Versatility
In addition to being a seasoned edge rusher, Walker is an intriguing match for the Lions.
Walker has played in 100 games in eight NFL seasons, and the last two seasons with the Bears have been his longest stint as a starter. In 2023, he signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Bears, and he started 29 games for them as a defensive end, earning 32 quarterback hits, 77 tackles, seven sacks, and 16 tackles for loss.
The Bears also played around with Walker’s alignment while he was in Chicago. The Bears struggled to fill the position of three-technique tackle under former head coach Matt Eberflus, but they mostly used him in the defensive end position. However, they occasionally kicked him inside to play at one of the tackle spots.
Walker had one year remaining on his contract when the Bears dismissed him earlier this offseason, although general manager Ryan Poles stated at the 2025 NFL Combine that the move was more motivated by system fit and money. The Lions may simply take a chance on the 30-year-old without shelling out a lot of cash if they think he fits better with their plan.
For the Lions, Aidan Hutchinson is once more “fully cleared.”
Thankfully, the Lions can rest easy knowing that their biggest star, Hutchinson, is prepared to play in 2025 as they sort through their defensive end personnel alternatives.
Hutchinson said on Thursday that he has been “fully cleared” by physicians to resume football-related activities with the Lions and that he has no further restrictions. Even though the Lions anticipated that he would fully recover for them in 2025, it’s great that he returned in time for the busiest part of their summer schedule.
Hutchinson’s participation in spring exercises will now be advantageous to the Lions as they assess if they have the appropriate players opposing him. While Josh Paschal and sixth-round rookie Ahmed Hassanein are also competing for positions in the rotation, Davenport is now his most probable pass-rushing partner off the edge.
Hutchinson’s good health will help Lions better grasp the current capabilities of their squad, even though they may find they still need more reinforcements.
