There are always roster changes around the NFL. The Detroit Lions are no different. The team today is not the same team that will end the season. Going beyond that, almost a quarter of the Lions current 90-man roster is slated to become unrestricted free agents after the upcoming season.
Not all of these players figure to make the final 53-man roster, but all are on the Lions roster as of July 4th. A handful listed here, including the first five on the list, have contracts that void automatically even though there are technically additional years, a technicality done for salary cap purposes.
Here are the 21 current Lions who will be unrestricted free agents following the 2023 NFL season, listed in order of 2022 compensation.
DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2) warms up during minicamp at Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
CB Emmanuel Moseley
Oct 9, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (4) during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
OG Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai watches during an NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, June 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
EDGE Charles Harris
Detroit Lions linebacker Charles Harris (53) stands on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
WR Marvin Jones
Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. catches a pass during OTAs on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Allen Park.
WR Josh Reynolds
Sep 18, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) scores a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports
CB Will Harris
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 24: Will Harris #25 of the Detroit Lions reacts during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on November 24, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
WR Kalif Raymond
Dec 18, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) warms up before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
EDGE Romeo Okwara
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 06: Romeo Okwara #95 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after forcing a fumble against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on December 06, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
FB Jason Cabinda
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 18: Jason Cabinda #45 of the Detroit Lions looks on during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Aug 21, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) walks off of the field after playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
QB Nate Sudfeld
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) practices during OTA at Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
LS Jake McQuade
Lions punter Jack Fox, left, talks to long snapper Jake McQuaide after practice during minicamp at in Allen Park on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
OT Matt Nelson
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Matt Nelson shifts into position for a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Ford Field, Sept. 11, 2022.Nfl Philadelphia Eagles At Detroit Lions
EDGE Julian Okwara
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Julian Okwara is pictured during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 51-29. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
K Michael Badgley
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 24: Michael Badgley #17 of the Detroit Lions reacts after making a field goal against the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on November 24, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
OG Jonah Jackson
Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson (73) warms up during minicamp at Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
OL Germain Ifedi
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
DL Christian Covington
Lions defensive tackle Christian Covington practices during minicamp at in Allen Park on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
OL Ross Pierschbacher
Detroit Lions guard Ross Pierschbacher (66) during minicamp at Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
OL Logan Stenberg
Detroit Lions guard Logan Stenberg (71) blocks during a preseason NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
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