Lions New $48M Corner Joins Detroit After Girlfriend Marries Packers WR — Vows to Crush Green Bay
Detroit, MI – March 14, 2025
The Detroit Lions made one of their boldest offseason moves by signing a premier cornerback in free agency. The contract was big, but the personal story behind it is what’s capturing the spotlight in Detroit.
After losing veteran Carlton Davis to the Patriots, the Lions needed a proven starter to stabilize their secondary. They found one in a physical defender whose motivation extends far beyond statistics or depth chart placement.
For this new arrival, joining Detroit means revenge as much as opportunity. His personal heartbreak, a public betrayal that hit harder than any Sunday collision, now fuels his mission in the NFC North.
That man is D.J. Reed, who signed a three-year, $48 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. Reed’s ex-girlfriend, Lakyn Adkins, left him and is now married to Packers wide receiver Christian Watson — making every Green Bay matchup personal.
“I know better than anyone what it feels like to be betrayed. And I also know the Lions want nothing more than to crush the Packers. That’s why I’m here — to turn my pain into fuel and show who’s truly stronger,” Reed declared.
On the field, Reed brings consistency. He posted 64 tackles and 10 pass breakups last season with the Jets, finishing with a PFF grade of roughly 75.0. He’s not a shutdown corner, but he’s a battle-tested, reliable starter.
Detroit’s coaches see him as an ideal fit for Ben Johnson’s scheme, blending solid coverage with physical tackling. His presence should give the Lions a defensive identity as they pursue another NFC North crown.
For Lions fans, the story resonates deeply. A cornerback scorned in love, determined to channel his heartbreak into rivalry dominance, and now signed to millions — Reed’s arrival embodies Detroit’s hunger for redemption and revenge.
Ex-Packers Chooses Bench in Chicago Over Starting in Green Bay
Roster cut week always brings surprises, but few moves have carried the emotional weight of this one. With 53-man rosters set to be finalized, one former Green Bay standout has chosen the bench in Chicago over a guaranteed starting job back with the Packers.
The storyline had been building since early summer. Cornerback depth was a glaring issue across the league, and speculation mounted that Green Bay might bring back one of their most familiar playmakers. A reunion at Lambeau seemed logical, even inevitable.
Instead, a different chapter emerged in the NFC North. Rasul Douglas, a veteran corner and former 32-game starter for the Packers, made it clear that the decision was never about snaps or titles. It was about trust, belonging, and culture.
"I’d rather ride the bench in Chicago than start in Green Bay. Because here, even the smallest role has meaning. In this city, you’re not just a number — you’re part of a family. And in Chicago, I see a loyalty and fight I never saw in Green Bay."
Douglas’s résumé in Green Bay speaks volumes: from midseason practice squad pickup in 2021 to an immediate starter, he tallied 10 interceptions, 169 tackles, and 29 passes defended in just over two years, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
But the Packers moved on in 2023, trading him to Buffalo as part of their secondary rebuild. Now, with Chicago facing injuries and depth concerns of their own, Douglas returns to the NFC North—not as a starter, but as a stabilizing presence.
For the Bears, his arrival comes at a pivotal time. As head coach Matt Eberflus looks to solidify a roster battered by preseason injuries, Douglas’s experience and leadership offer more than statistics; they provide reassurance in a room thin on veterans.
For Douglas, the decision symbolizes more than just a new jersey. As 53-man rosters lock in across the league, he’s embracing the chance to contribute in whatever role he’s given—choosing loyalty and culture in Chicago over familiarity in Green Bay.
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