A player who started for the Detroit Lions in 2024 has joined the New England Patriots on a $60 million contract.
The biggest name hitting free agency this offseason for the Detroit Lions was cornerback Carlton Davis.
He was one of the top options at cornerback in this year's free agent class after a solid season with the Lions.
Before free agency opened, he seemed to send a pretty clear message that he would be testing his market and trying to get paid this offseason.
Former Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis intercepting a pass
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Just over an hour into the "legal tampering" period, he did just that.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Davis agreed to a three-year deal with the New England Patriots worth $60 million.
The Davis signing is part of a spending spree for the Patriots that has seen them revamp their defense.
He joins Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, and Milton Williams as new starters for the Pats on the defensive side of the ball.
Davis earned his big payday with a solid 13 games for the Lions in 2023. Before an injury ended his season early, he held opposing QBs to a 55.3% completion percentage and 7.5 yards per target when they threw his way.
Despite the strong year in Detroit, it never seemed likely the Lions were going to spend this kind of money to retain Davis.
Instead, they ended up bringing in former Jets corner D.J. Reed on a deal that will only cost them $16 million per year.
It looks like things worked out pretty well for both Davis and the Lions despite their inability to work out a deal that kept the corner in Detroit.
