ALLEN PARK — According to his agency, kicker Michael Badgley has signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Detroit Lions,

giving him another chance to play for the organization.

After signing a contract with the Lions in 2022, Riley Patterson knocked over Badgley for the starting position in the previous

campaign. However, Badgley eventually made it into the practice squad and, in December, defeated Patterson to take the starting

position. For the remainder of the season, he converted all seven field goals, including all three in the playoffs. His 54-yard long

touchdown tied a team playoff record.

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Lions are advised to sign a five-year contract with a division rival guard.

The offensive line that helped the Detroit Lions have one of the top offenses in the league in 2023 is set to go in part, but a report

indicates they may target a division rival for one significant acquisition.

In free agency, Christian Booher of SI.com speculated that the Lions would add offensive line depth, pointing out that guard Dalton

Risner of the Minnesota Vikings would make sense as a target. The one-year contract of the five-year veteran, who has played in 77

games in his career, is coming to an end, and if the Vikings decide not to bring him back, he might be a cheap target for the Lions,

according to Booher.

Lions Wanted to Include Flexible Veteran

Risner has established himself as a reliable interior lineman, particularly as a pass blocker, according to Booher, and he seems like a

reasonable target for a Lions team that has made significant offensive investments.

With 87 career pressures on more than 2,000 pass-blocking snaps, Risner has established himself as a reliable pass-blocker. Booher

noted, “His play has been up and down in the run game.

“Risner could provide veteran depth for the team and be a more cost-effective option for the Lions in the event that they lose a starter.”

Risner spent his first four seasons as a player with the Denver Broncos, where he started all 62 of his games.

Booher mentioned Miami Dolphins lineman Robert Hunt as one of the Lions’ possible offseason additions. Although Hunt has been

limited by injury, the SI.com writer pointed out that he has been a successful pass blocker last season, giving up just five total

pressures and one sack.

Lions May Lose Important Player

The decision the franchise makes on guard Jonah Jackson, who is scheduled to become a free agent in March, may have an impact on

Detroit’s free agency plans. Given that Jackson is anticipated to sign a contract, Morgan Cannon of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit

speculated that this summer could be Detroit’s “toughest decision.”

With tackle Taylor Decker carrying a $19 million cap hit in 2024 and center Frank Ragnow carrying a $12.8 million cap hit, Cannon

pointed out that the Lions have already made significant investments on their offensive line. It may not be possible for the Lions to

retain Jackson in the fold given that Penei Sewell is probably going to sign a large deal within the next year.

Jackson may be in great demand when he hits free agency, making him a costly addition if the Lions want to keep him back. The

organization is currently in talks with quarterback Jared Goff about an extension of his own. Cannon also said this.

“Jackson sees himself as a 27-year-old who just signed a rookie contract in the third round,” Cannon wrote. “A player should usually

take advantage of this opportunity to strike while the iron is hot. The Lions might soon find themselves out of the running to keep

Jackson’s services if there’s a club out there that wants to improve their left guard place and they have a lot of money to waste.

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