The departure of Jonah Jackson leaves a significant void in the Detroit Lions’ offensive line.
As NFL free agency kicks off, the Detroit Lions have faced a significant setback in their offensive line. Guard Jonah Jackson, a key component of their roster, has opted to reunite with former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, signing a lucrative three-year, $51 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Undoubtedly, Jackson’s departure to join the Rams leaves a significant void for the Lions to address, especially considering the momentum gained from their first division win in 30 years.
The departure of Jonah Jackson leaves a significant void
Jackson’s exit creates a substantial gap in the Lions’ offensive line, renowned as one of the NFL’s finest, as they routinely protected quarterback Jared Goff along with giving themselves a strong ground attack. Despite his Pro Bowl accolades in 2021, Jackson’s career has been marred by injury concerns, raising doubts about his durability. Nevertheless, when healthy, he stands as one of the premier performers in his position in the NFL.
GM Brad Holmes could elect to supplement the loss of Jackson by promoting one of Kayode Awosika or Colby Sorsdal; he could also look to make an addition to the team through free agency.
Thankfully, the news for the Lions today isn’t all negative, as a deal has been worked out to bring back Graham Glasgow, meaning four of the five starters (Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker, and Penei Sewell) will be back with the team next year.
Holmes will have several options to explore on the free-agent market, with players like Mike Onwenu, Dalton Risner, and Damien Lewis all potentially available. And with the NFL Draft upcoming, the likes of Troy Fautanu,
Cooper Beebe and Zak Zinter could prove intriguing for Detroit.
Jackson will make his return to Ford Field at some point this season, as the Lions host the Rams at a yet-to-be-determined date and time. It will also mark the second game back at Ford Field for Stafford, following his unsuccessful return to Detroit in the NFL Wild Card postseason round earlier this year.
TL;DR (too long didn’t read)
- The start of NFL free agency has arrived, and there have been several signings throughout the day by various NFL clubs
- The Detroit Lions have lost the services of guard Jonah Jackson, who has departed for the Los Angeles Rams
- The departure of Jonah Jackson leaves a significant void on the Lions’ offensive line that they will need to supplement from within or through a free-agent addition of their own
Bottom Line: How will the Detroit Lions replace Jackson?
The harsh reality of professional sports is the inevitability of turnover, as teams frequently lose players to free agency and trades in the unforgiving landscape of the industry.
Yet, amidst this flux, Detroit Lions fans can take solace in the fact that general manager Brad Holmes has showcased a knack for discovering hidden gems through both free agency and the draft.
