The Detroit Lions could be clearing the path to part ways with a fan-favorite wide receiver.
As Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported, the Lions opted not to tender a contract offer to restricted free agent Tom Kennedy, one of the team’s longest-tenured players and one of the last connections to the previous regime.
The move leaves Kennedy as a free agent, which could spell the end of his time in Detroit.
Tom Kennedy Earned Big Promotion Last Season
Kennedy had been a longtime member of Detroit’s practice squad, but was signed to the active roster in December after an injury to wide receiver Kalif Raymond. Kennedy stepped into an important role as a return specialist, averaging 27.0 yards per kick return with a 21-yard punt return in his first game.
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp shared praise for Kennedy.
“I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am for Tom Kennedy,” Fipp said, via SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit. “I mean there’s nobody who deserves the attention and the recognition more than him in this building. I mean a guy who’s just worked his tail off every single day the whole time he’s been here. Never ever complained about the reps he’s getting, the opportunity he’s getting. Whether he knows he can do something better than maybe some other guy who’s getting his shot before him. And then for him to get the opportunity and then go out there and make the most of it, you’ve got to give him a lot of credit.”
Kennedy had been a mainstay on the practice squad but rarely saw action for the Lions. He appeared in four games in 2024, but had no receptions and played only 16 offensive snaps and 20 special teams snaps.
Kennedy’s last reception came in 2022, when he had eight catches for 141 yards.
Despite his small role on the team, Kennedy became a popular player both with teammates and fans, often impressing with strong preseason performances.
The team’s decision not to tender Kennedy as a restricted free agent leaves the 29-year-old free to sign with any other team, though his history with the Lions could make a return to Detroit his best option.
Lions Already Losing Players to Free Agency
As Birkett reported, the Lions had a number of players headed to free agency with the start of the new NFL year on Wednesday afternoon, and have already lost several of them to the open market.
“[Trevor] Nowaske and Kennedy join 23 other Lions who became unrestricted free agents at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 11,” Birkett reported.
“Six of those players – linebacker Alex Anzalone, cornerback Amik Robertson, defensive tackle Roy Lopez, receiver Kalif Raymond, quarterback Kyle Allen and defensive lineman Tyrus Wheat, who also was non-tendered as a restricted free agent – already have agreed to deals with new teams.”
The Lions have also made some big moves within the team, restructuring the contract of quarterback Jared Goff to build more cap space. The team has been rumored to be chasing some other big potential deals, like star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, but has yet to make any splashy moves.
Lions Prepare to Part Ways With Fan-Favorite WR as Free Agency Starts