It took a few days, but the Detroit Lions addressed their defense Thursday with the organization’s first external add of the offseason — defensive back Christian Izien.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Lions are signing Izien to a 1-year contract.
Despite being an ex-undrafted free agent, Schultz described the defensive back as having a “productive” start to his NFL career.
“Former undrafted free agent out of Rutgers has been productive, recording 165 tackles, 3 INTs, 5 PBUs, and 3 forced fumbles since entering the league in 2023,” wrote Schultz.
Izien went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft. But he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and earned a starting role as a nickel back immediately as a rookie.
In 45 games with the Buccaneers over four years, he also had eight tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.
The Pride of Detroit’s official X account was relieved the team made an addition to the defense at the beginning of the fourth day of free agency.
The Lions re-signed cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez early in free agency. But both are obviously not new additions.
Before Izien, Detroit had added running back Isaiah Pacheco, center Cade Mays, right tackle Larry Borom and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on offense. The trades the Lions have made this month have also addressed the offense.
Lions Sign CB Christian Izien to 1-Year Deal: Report
The Lions experienced a lot of injuries in their secondary for a second consecutive year in 2025. For that reason, it’s not surprising at all the team’s first external add on defense this offseason was a defensive back.
Izien will be able to provide depth all over Detroit’s secondary. While he mostly played slot cornerback in his first two seasons, Izien also lined up at free and strong safety. He has also played a little at outside cornerback.
In 2023, Izien played a career-high 719 defensive snaps in 17 games. He also lined up for 146 special teams snaps, which remains a high-water mark for him in the league as well.
Izien then started 10 games during 2024. He posted 75 combined tackles, including four tackles for loss, three pass defenses, one interception and one forced fumble in his second season.
The defensive back also had two pass defenses, two interceptions and a forced fumble during 2023.
Last season, Izien didn’t play as much on defense. But when he did, he split his snaps between both safety spots and the slot.
Izien had 25 combined tackles, including one for loss with one forced fumbles in 14 contests in 2025.
The financial terms of his agreement Thursday were not disclosed. Usually when that’s the case, the deal is for league minimum or close to that.
In conclusion, the Lions are adding Izien as a versatile, depth piece in their secondary probably without much financial commitment.
Lions Secondary Depth Entering 2026 NFL Free Agency
With Izien and Ya-Sin, the Lions have addressed their secondary depth this week. But they did lose veteran cornerback Amik Robertson to the Washington Commanders.
Because of injuries last season, Robertson played a career-high 843 defensive snaps in 2025.
Obviously, the Lions are hoping everyone in the secondary is back healthy this fall. That could make Robertson’s exit a footnote.
But that hasn’t been the reality for Detroit two consecutive seasons. Third-year cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw have been in and out of the lineup, with Rakestraw completing missing 2025.
D.J. Reed also missed six contests last season.
All three of those cornerbacks will be on Detroit’s 2026 roster. The Lions have now added Ya-Sin and Izien as quality depth.
But Robertson unexpectedly led the Lions secondary in snaps last season. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising if general manager Brad Holmes still finds it necessary to add more pieces, even a potential starter, at cornerback.
Lions Finally Make Defensive Add With ‘Productive’ DB: Report