Getty MLive.com's Kyle Meinke reported that Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions restructured the contract for Carlton Davis to save $4.5 million in cap space.
The Detroit Lions have been among the leaders in cap space throughout this offseason. They now have additional cap room after restructuring the contract of the team’s new cornerback Carlton Davis.
MLive.com’s Kyle Meinke reported that Davis “agreed to convert $6 million of his $14 million salary into a signing bonus.” The Lions also added three void years to spread out his cap hit through the 2027 season.
With the moves, the Lions have an additional $4.5 million in cap space for the 2024 season.
“In the end, Davis’ cap charge has been lowered from $14.35 million to $9.85 million for the upcoming season, while the $4.5 million in savings will be automatically triggered when the contract voids next year,” Meinke wrote. “That gives Detroit more financial flexibility for this season, while pushing some money into a year where the salary cap is expected to grow once again.”
Over the Cap reported Davis’ new 2024 cap hit as $9.853 million.
With the additional room, the Lions have $34.27 million in cap space remaining. On March 18, that ranks as sixth-most in the NFL.
The Lions acquired Davis in a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 11. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Lions received a 2024 sixth-round pick as well as a 2025 sixth-rounder in exchange for a 2024 third-round choice.
Lions Restructure Contract for CB Carlton Davis
With Davis’ restructured contract, the Lions have a new No. 1 cornerback under contract for 2024 with a cap hit under $10 million.
According to Over the Cap, Davis will count as a $4.5 million cap hit in 2025, which is the first void year of his contract. But Meinke wrote that Davis is open to signing a long-term deal with the Lions.
Davis posted 52 combined tackles with 9 pass defenses and 2 interceptions in 12 starts with the Buccaneers last season. He was a regular starter with Tampa Bay since his rookie 2018 season.
The Buccaneers drafted Davis in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft.
In six seasons, Davis recorded 73 pass defenses and 9 interceptions. He also had 324 combined tackles with 3 forced fumbles.
Throughout his Buccaneers tenure, Davis received praise for being one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. In November 2023, Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said that Davis was the most difficult matchup he has ever faced in his career.
Lions Remaining Needs in NFL Free Agency
Davis is one of two cornerbacks the Lions have added this offseason. The team also signed veteran cornerback Amik Robertson to a 2-year, $9.25 million contract.
Also on defense, the Lions signed defensive end Marcus Davenport and defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
As far as retaining their own free agents, the Lions re-signed cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and guard Graham Glasgow. Moseley is a sort of an addition, though, since he played just 2 defensive snaps because of ACL injuries last season.
With those signings, the Lions have filled a lot of roster vacancies. But one position they could still address with the additional space created with Davis’ new deal is guard.
The Lions lost guard Jonah Jackson, who started opposite Glasgow in 2023, to free agency. He signed a 3-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams.
Kayode Awosika and Colby Sorsdal are internal options the Lions could consider to replace Jackson. But they both have made five or fewer starts in their young NFL careers.
So, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Lions added another veteran interior offensive lineman who could start at guard in 2024.
With their remaining cap space, Detroit could also add more depth at safety, cornerback or wide receiver. The Lions were 27th in passing yards allowed and 29th in yards yielded per pass attempt last season.
Furthermore, Detroit’s No. 2 wide receiver in terms of receiving yards last season, Josh Reynolds, is a free agent.