Detroit Lions Sign Former 2019 DPOY, 5x Pro Bowler to Bolster Secondary After D.J. Reed Hamstring Injury
The Detroit Lions are wasting no time addressing their secondary crisis. Days after a convincing 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns, head coach Dan Campbell confirmed the team has signed former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
Detroit’s secondary took a major blow Sunday when starting cornerback D.J. Reed was carted off with a hamstring injury. Fellow defensive back Terrion Arnold also exited the game, leaving the Lions dangerously thin at outside corner positions.
Stephon Gilmore, a five-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, brings immediate credibility. The 35-year-old logged 16 starts with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and still showed flashes of his elite coverage skills.
Contract details remain undisclosed, but league insiders believe the Lions signed Gilmore to a one-year incentive-based deal. His arrival ensures depth while offering veteran leadership in a secondary now scrambling to stay competitive without Reed.
Dan Campbell praised Gilmore’s mindset and professionalism in Tuesday’s press conference. “We wanted a proven leader who’s been through playoff wars. Stephon fits that perfectly, and we’re excited about what he adds to this locker room,” Campbell said.
The Lions’ defense has carried much of the load early in 2025. With Aidan Hutchinson anchoring the pass rush and Kerby Joseph roaming at safety, adding Gilmore gives defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn a stabilizing force on the boundary.
Detroit is 3-1 and very much alive in the NFC playoff picture. Their next test against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals will immediately showcase how seamlessly Gilmore can slide into the starting lineup opposite Amik Robertson.
For Gilmore, the move represents another chapter in an already decorated career. And for the Lions, it signals their intent to push deep into January — proving this team won’t let injuries derail their Super Bowl aspirations.
Hall of Famer’s Son Rejects 49ers Practice Squad for Seahawks Workout — Believes Seattle Can Help Him Become a Star Like His Father
Seattle, WA – September 13, 2025
The Seahawks added intrigue to their roster this week, drawing headlines for a workout that wasn’t just about talent. It was about legacy, ambition, and a last name carrying enormous weight in NFL history.
The San Francisco 49ers wanted to keep him safe on their practice squad. For most young players, it’s a golden ticket. But this wideout had different plans, prioritizing opportunity over comfort.
Instead of staying put in San Francisco, he turned down the role and flew north. His decision reflects hunger, conviction, and a willingness to embrace risk in pursuit of something greater.
That player is Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. His father redefined the wide receiver position for the 49ers. Now Brenden is chasing his own story, even across division lines.
Seattle offered the next chapter. Drafted in 2024’s seventh round, Rice appeared in just three games before being released. His gamble is simple: bet on himself, trust the Seahawks, and earn meaningful snaps.
For Seattle, the timing matters. The receiving room is being reshuffled, depth is crucial, and Geno Smith needs reliable weapons. Rice’s size and physicality provide a potential complement the staff finds intriguing.
His name recognition is undeniable. But production must follow. At Notre Dame, Rice flashed toughness and contested catch ability, skills Seattle values. Now he must prove he’s more than just Jerry’s son.
Seahawks fans understand legacies. They’ve seen heirs succeed, and others collapse under pressure. For Rice, rejecting San Francisco’s safety net sends a clear message: he came to compete, not coast.
If he earns a spot, Seattle may soon have another Rice to cheer for. And in a city built on grit and belief, that could be the perfect formula for a breakout.
Seattle has its moment. Brenden Rice has his chance. And if it all comes together, Lumen Field might once again become the stage for a Rice legacy written in bold.
