5 Ways Detroit Lions Can Spend Extra Salary Cap Space Cade Klubnik, a Clemson star, is watching Joe Burrow’s footage to improve his quarterbacking skills: Potential pass rush help abounds.

5 Ways Detroit Lions Can Spend Extra Salary Cap Space Cade Klubnik, a Clemson star, is watching Joe Burrow’s footage to improve his quarterbacking skills: Potential pass rush help abounds.

The Detroit Lions are coming off a breakthrough season that saw them emerge as a legitimate contender in the NFC, but the work is far from done. General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have helped create a strong foundation of gritty, high-character players, and now the front office has a unique opportunity to build on that momentum. With additional salary cap space at their disposal, the Lions can explore multiple avenues to strengthen their roster. Whether through adding veteran leadership, bolstering key depth areas, or capitalizing on high-upside talent, Detroit has options that could be the difference between a good season and a great one.

There are few positions as critical in today’s NFL as the pass rush, and while Aidan Hutchinson is a rising star, he can’t do it all by himself. The Lions showed promise in applying pressure in 2023, but there were stretches where opposing quarterbacks had too much time to make decisions. With extra salary cap room, the Lions can explore a crowded free agent market where experienced edge rushers and interior disruptors are still available. Names like Yannick Ngakoue, Emmanuel Ogbah, or even a late-career gamble on a player like Justin Houston could pay off. These veterans won’t break the bank and could offer rotational value while mentoring young players. The importance of having multiple waves of pass rushers cannot be overstated, especially when the goal is to compete with top-tier quarterbacks in the NFC like Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy. Bringing in additional talent to complement Hutchinson could free him up for even more impactful plays.

Another smart way for the Lions to use their cap flexibility is by solidifying the secondary. Detroit’s defensive backfield took strides in 2023, particularly with the emergence of players like Brian Branch and the acquisition of veteran help, but injuries and inconsistencies left the unit vulnerable at times. Targeting a dependable veteran cornerback or safety could be a smart move to shore up the depth chart. A name like Stephon Gilmore might still offer short-term value. Even someone like Marcus Peters, if motivated, could thrive in a culture like Detroit’s where accountability is paramount. The idea isn’t to overhaul the secondary but to reinforce it. Come playoff time, when every stop counts, having a seasoned defender who has been through the wars could be what separates a first-round exit from a deep run.

The offensive side of the ball isn’t without its own potential upgrades. While the Lions possess one of the league’s top offensive lines and a formidable running back duo in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, wide receiver depth remains a question mark. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a bonafide star, and Jameson Williams showed flashes of the speed and playmaking he was drafted for, but injuries and inconsistencies at the WR3 spot persist. Utilizing some of the extra cap space to bring in a reliable veteran receiver—someone who can move the chains and take pressure off St. Brown—makes a lot of sense. Players like Tyler Boyd or Hunter Renfrow could offer exactly that. These aren’t splashy moves, but they’re the kind of additions that provide Jared Goff with security blankets and make the offense more unpredictable. As the league continues to evolve toward dynamic, multi-threat passing attacks, the Lions must keep pace and adapt accordingly.

Speaking of Jared Goff, the Lions may also choose to use the cap surplus as part of a long-term strategy involving the quarterback position. Goff has played well and deserves credit for his role in the team’s resurgence, but the business side of football looms. Goff is due for an extension, and with quarterback contracts escalating annually, locking him in before the market explodes again might be a wise move. Alternatively, if the front office believes they may eventually pivot to a younger option—perhaps someone currently on the roster or a future draft pick—they could still allocate some funds toward reinforcing the offensive infrastructure. This means investing in tight ends, offensive line depth, or even high-level quarterback coaching. The goal would be to create a sustainable offensive identity that functions regardless of who’s under center. Ensuring continuity and excellence around the quarterback is often more important than the individual throwing the ball.

Off the field, cap space can also be used to secure core players before they hit free agency. The Lions have done a good job of rewarding internal talent and building a culture where players want to stay, but that can’t happen without the financial ability to make competitive offers. Players like Penei Sewell and Aidan Hutchinson are future extension candidates. By strategically using available funds now to get ahead of the market, the Lions could save money in the long run and avoid cap crunches down the road. This kind of forward-thinking planning is what separates fleeting success from sustained dominance. The NFL is notorious for its year-to-year volatility, and the teams that maintain competitiveness are the ones that know how to plan two or three steps ahead.

Beyond these practical uses, the Lions’ cap flexibility also offers room for opportunistic aggression. Injuries, trades, and player availability shift constantly during the season. By maintaining some cap space in reserve, Detroit puts itself in a prime position to strike when the right opportunity arises. Whether that means absorbing a contract at the trade deadline, signing a surprise veteran cut from another team, or addressing unforeseen weaknesses, financial flexibility becomes a competitive advantage. Last season, teams like the Eagles and 49ers showed how aggressive in-season moves can pay big dividends. For the Lions, adopting that mindset while still remaining true to their identity as a tough, gritty team could push them closer to the ultimate goal.

As other teams deal with bloated contracts and tight cap situations, the Lions’ combination of youth, depth, and cap space gives them one of the more enviable positions in the NFL. The fanbase, long-starved for success, finally has a front office that understands the value of patience combined with aggression. The question now is how that cap space is used to further the vision Campbell and Holmes have put into motion. Every dollar spent should bring the team closer to not just winning the NFC North, but competing with the elite teams come January.

Interestingly, this financial flexibility also helps foster competition in camp. With cap space comes the ability to bring in proven veterans who can push younger players. It’s easy to tout development, but nothing accelerates a rookie’s growth like having to earn reps against an established player. Signing veterans to short-term, incentive-laden deals gives Detroit both depth and hunger. It raises the floor of the roster while also ensuring complacency doesn’t set in. That kind of competitive culture was a hallmark of the great teams in recent NFL history, and Detroit now has the resources to implement that fully.

Beyond the trenches and skill positions, special teams shouldn’t be overlooked. Detroit has been solid in this phase, but the margins are razor-thin in the postseason. Bringing in a proven return specialist or a depth linebacker who excels in coverage could mean the difference between flipping field position or allowing a back-breaking play. These moves often fly under the radar, but savvy franchises understand their value. A few million dollars well spent on special teams excellence could yield outsized returns in pivotal moments.

Meanwhile, as NFL fans discuss off-season player developments, it’s hard to ignore the fascinating progress of rising stars like Cade Klubnik at Clemson. Klubnik has been diving into the tape of Joe Burrow, trying to emulate one of the coolest and most effective quarterbacks in the game. What makes this relevant for Detroit is the overarching point: the league is full of young talent studying greatness, chasing consistency, and raising the bar. Detroit must do the same—not necessarily by mimicking other teams, but by ensuring their own players are held to that same evolving standard of preparation and excellence. Using cap space to bring in those who already embody such standards helps reinforce that culture.

Ultimately, the Lions stand on the edge of something special. The team’s ascent from a perennial afterthought to a feared opponent is one of the more compelling storylines in recent NFL memory. With cap space in hand, they have an opportunity not just to improve their roster, but to make a statement. That statement isn’t necessarily about flash or headline-grabbing moves. It’s about savvy, strategic investments that build staying power. It’s about creating an environment where players want to come, stay, and win. It’s about making sure that the window for success doesn’t slam shut after one or two seasons, but remains open for a half-decade or more.

Detroit’s front office has earned the trust of its fans through intelligent drafting, inspired coaching hires, and a commitment to culture. Now they have a chance to reinforce all of that with targeted spending. If they succeed, they won’t just be a nice story—they’ll be a threat. And in a league where every small advantage matters, having cap space might just be one of the most underrated tools in the Lions’ growing arsenal. The key will be to use it wisely, with purpose and precision, and to stay one step ahead of both the competition and the constantly evolving nature of the NFL.

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