When Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes entered the 2024 offseason, one of the key objectives was to strengthen the pass rush, specifically by adding a veteran edge rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson. Holmes ultimately turned to Marcus Davenport, signing him to a one-year, $6.5 million deal. However, what seemed like a solid move on paper quickly turned into a major disappointment for the Lions.
The Risks That Came with Marcus Davenport
Davenport’s signing was always seen as a gamble, given his extensive injury history. Despite the red flags, Holmes took a chance on the veteran edge rusher, hoping that his potential would outweigh the risk. Unfortunately, that risk materialized almost immediately into an injury-plagued season.
Davenport played just a single full game before injuries sidelined him for the rest of the year. After a promising start with a half-sack in his Lions debut, Davenport missed the Week 2 game due to a groin injury. He returned in Week 3, only to be struck by an elbow injury that ultimately ended his season prematurely.
A Disastrous Outcome for the Lions
Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman highlighted Davenport as one of the worst free-agent signings of the 2024 offseason. “Davenport was brought in to give the Lions some pass-rush depth,” Wasserman said. “He played well in his first game with the team but played just one more game after that before his season ended due to a triceps injury.”
While Davenport’s brief time on the field showed some promise, the Lions didn’t get nearly enough value from the investment. With a roster that still needed pass-rush depth, the decision to sign Davenport, despite his injury concerns, didn’t pay off.
What’s Next for Davenport and the Lions?
Unfortunately, this signing has likely been a one-and-done situation for Davenport in Detroit. Given the injury issues and limited impact, it’s safe to assume that the Lions will look elsewhere to fill the void left by Davenport’s unfulfilled potential.
In the end, while Brad Holmes had the right idea by wanting to add a veteran presence on the edge, the gamble on Marcus Davenport simply did not work out. The Lions will need to look for more reliable options in the future as they continue to build around Hutchinson and improve their pass rush.
