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The Lions have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike on a 1-year $5million deal. Onwuzurike looked good in camp and during the season as this was his first year not dealing with his back injury from college.

In his first three seasons with the Lions, Onwuzurike only played in 26 games due to his lingering injuries, mostly his back. Last season, Onwuzurike played in 16 of the team’s 18 games and was good to go in his rotational role in the Lions DT room. Last season he posted; 1.5 sacks, 37 pressures, a 9.7% pressure rate, and 28 tackles while playing just 61.2% of snaps, with a lot of those snaps coming while being lined up out of position, due to injuries.

I thought it would have been foolish for the Lions to move on after Onwuzurike was finally healthy and showing us why the Lions drafted him in the first place. However, after having a much improved season right before his contract is up, he may be looking to cash in on that opportunity. Who could blame him?

But, ultimately, the Lions keep him on a very reasonable one-year contract, giving him a year to “prove it” while also getting us a good player for cheap. While other free agent defensive tackles are making way more in this free agent market, maybe Onwuzurike was not motivated by money. Maybe he just wanted to stay here with the Lions, or he is betting on himself thinking he can break those numbers from last year and get even more next year. Either way, he is staying in Detroit and will help the Lions’ interior pass rush. There are reports that McNeil may not be ready for Week 1, so while we all wait for his return, Onwuzurike is most likely going to be the guy who starts as his replacement.

If he outplays his contract, the Lions get a good defensive tackle for a cheap amount and have first dibs on talking to him next off-season about another extension. If his back flares up again, then the Lions will have no dead money on the contract at the end of the season if they move on.

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