Done Deal: Just In Detroit Lions Officially Announce The Resigning Of Two Top Talented High Rated Veteran LB Star From The Rival Team To Squad.

Special teams standouts Anthony Pittman and Ezekiel Turner are joining Derrick Barnes in signing new contracts, meaning the Detroit Lions will retain two more linebackers. NFL insider Aaron Wilson broke the Turner news first, while ESPN broke the Pittman deal. After alternating between Washington and Jacksonville the previous season, Pittman, a Detroit native and former Wayne State standout, returned to the Lions. In December, he was added from Jacksonville’s practice squad and went back to work, contributing significantly to the team’s special teams.

He earned a spot as an undrafted rookie and established himself as a vital member of the special teams during his first five years of play in Detroit. Between 2021 and 2023, he participated in all 17 games in three consecutive seasons. Despite the increasing number of defensive injuries, Turner was one of the players who seized the chance to play. He appeared in nine games, playing 176 special teams snaps and 111 defensive linebacker snaps.

The Lions wanted to increase the depth of their special teams after veteran Jalen Reeves-Maybin left, and these re-signings do that. Before attempting to get a promotion in free agency with Washington, Pittman spent three consecutive seasons with the Lions, playing more than 350 special teams snaps. Experience, sound depth in an emergency, and knowledge of Dave Fipp’s system are what Pittman and Turner contribute. Last year, Turner also picked it up quickly. These actions also reflect the Lions’ linebacker-heavy day. Derrick Barnes, a versatile linebacker, was re-signed to a three-year contract worth up to $25.5 million with $16 million guaranteed, giving them an advantage over free agency.

They now have Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Barnes, Turner and Pittman under contract heading into next week’s free-agent market. Ben Niemann is a pending free agent after playing a ton of snaps for the short-handed Lions. But these three moves add a defender who can play multiple positions and two bankable special teamers with experience on the defense.