One Smart, Strategic Roster Move the Detroit Lions Can Make Before 2025 Training Camp to Bolster Their Super Bowl Hopes

The Detroit Lions have long gone past being the NFL’s Cinderella surprise. The days of rebuilding and hopeful promise are officially behind them. In 2025, they’re a legitimate powerhouse with championship expectations. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have steadily built a culture of toughness, discipline, and excellence—and it’s paid off in back-to-back deep playoff runs. Yet, as training camp looms, one final roster move could serve as the last puzzle piece in Detroit’s push for a Super Bowl.

While most of the roster is solidified, one area that still carries an air of uncertainty is the cornerback depth behind the starters. The Lions added reinforcements this offseason—most notably trading for Carlton Davis III and drafting Terrion Arnold in the first round—but with Emmanuel Moseley’s health still uncertain and Brian Branch more suited to play nickel or safety, an experienced boundary corner who can serve as insurance could be invaluable.

That’s why the perfect move before the start of training camp would be for the Lions to sign veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Gilmore, now 34, remains a savvy and effective cover man. Despite his age, he started 17 games last season for the Dallas Cowboys and held up remarkably well against top-tier receivers. He allowed just two touchdowns in coverage and posted a 74.2 PFF grade, showing he still possesses the technique, intelligence, and instincts that made him one of the most feared corners in the league earlier in his career. Even as his physical gifts have naturally declined, his football IQ and veteran leadership offer something Detroit’s young cornerback group can benefit from immensely.

From a schematic standpoint, Gilmore fits the bill. Aaron Glenn’s defense is rooted in physicality and discipline, with an emphasis on aggressive man-to-man concepts. Gilmore thrived in similar systems in New England and Indianapolis. He’s not expected to be the CB1 anymore—Detroit has Davis and Arnold for that—but what he provides is insurance, mentorship, and the ability to step in seamlessly if injuries hit, especially in a grueling NFC playoff race.

Injuries are one of the few things that can derail a Super Bowl-caliber roster like Detroit’s. The Lions learned that lesson the hard way last season. While the team held strong, depth issues in the secondary were apparent, especially in their heartbreaking NFC Championship loss. Depth wins championships, and right now, Detroit has starters but needs another reliable veteran in the cornerback room. Bringing in a guy like Gilmore ensures they won’t be caught off guard again.

There’s also the matter of intangible value. Gilmore has seen it all—Super Bowls, playoff wars, defensive game-planning at the highest level. He’s a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and five-time Pro Bowler. In a locker room filled with young talent and playoff newcomers, having another calming, experienced presence alongside players like C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Davis could be the difference in close games and hostile environments. Championship windows don’t stay open forever. Adding battle-tested vets is how you capitalize while it’s open.

Salary-wise, it’s feasible. Gilmore would not command a hefty deal at this stage in his career. A one-year contract in the $4–6 million range with incentives tied to playing time or postseason success could get the job done. The Lions still have enough cap flexibility to make a deal like that happen, especially since quarterback Jared Goff’s extension was structured to keep the window open.

There’s precedent too. Championship contenders often sign a savvy vet just before camp to provide leadership and stability. The Eagles did it with Ndamukong Suh. The Chiefs did it with Carlos Dunlap. The Rams added Eric Weddle off the couch and won a Super Bowl. These are the kinds of under-the-radar moves that don’t make headlines in June but pay off massively in January.

Some might argue the Lions should simply trust their youth—lean on rookies and internal development. That’s a fair stance and part of the reason Detroit has risen so rapidly. They’ve bet on their guys. But having a veteran like Gilmore doesn’t stunt development—it accelerates it. Young players learn faster when they have models to emulate every day in practice. What Terrion Arnold could soak up from watching how Gilmore studies film, preps for games, and handles tough matchups can’t be taught in a classroom. It’s learned through presence.

Moreover, Gilmore wouldn’t be the first option—he wouldn’t be expected to shut down Justin Jefferson or Deebo Samuel every week. But he’s exactly the kind of reliable depth who, when called upon, can give you 30–40 high-level snaps a game and step in as a starter if needed. That level of insurance at cornerback is priceless in a league where injuries are inevitable.

And let’s not ignore the storybook feel of it. Gilmore coming to Detroit—a place that has gone from laughingstock to contender—would symbolize just how far the franchise has come. Once a team where veterans came to retire, the Lions are now a destination for players chasing rings. Adding Gilmore would be a continuation of that transformation, a sign that Detroit is not just hunting playoff wins anymore—they’re chasing the whole thing.

The rest of the roster looks sharp. Offensively, Detroit is stacked. Goff has his full arsenal: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and a thunder-and-lightning backfield in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The offensive line is still elite, and Ben Johnson’s return as offensive coordinator ensures continuity in scheme and rhythm.

Defensively, the front seven is loaded. Aidan Hutchinson is on the verge of superstardom, Alim McNeill continues to ascend, and the linebacking duo of Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone is fast and physical. The secondary has talent too—but just needs one more steady hand. That’s where Gilmore fits like a glove.

If not Gilmore, other options exist. Veterans like Steven Nelson, Casey Hayward, or even a reunion with Jerry Jacobs could offer experience and depth. But Gilmore stands above the rest due to his proven playoff mettle and scheme versatility. He checks all the boxes—production, leadership, affordability, and locker room fit.

The Lions are done being a feel-good story. They’re a genuine Super Bowl threat. And now it’s about fine-tuning, about closing the gaps, about making sure there’s no weak link in the chain. Signing Stephon Gilmore, or a player in that mold, is the kind of proactive, smart football move that sets contenders apart. It’s how teams turn the corner from being playoff good to championship great.

Dan Campbell’s squad doesn’t need much. But if they make one more move before camp, and that move is Stephon Gilmore, the message will be clear: The Detroit Lions are all in on 2025—and they’re not backing down from anyone.