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What the 2025 contracts tolling meansThe Detroit Lions 2025 contracts tolled for Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal. The season that just finished does not count on their deals because of injuries. They are back under contract for next year. That affects the cap sheet, with more detail to come later, but the on-field takeaway is clear.
Treat their availability as a bonus, not a plan. Both players have dealt with multiple injuries. Those setbacks already cost them significant time. The Detroit Lions cannot depend on either to play a snap again. That sounds harsh, but it is practical. Hope for contributions. Do not build around them.
Roster planning: draft and free agencyThis is a Detroit Lions Podcast reaction driven by straightforward team-building logic. Approach the draft and free agency as if Onwuzurike and Paschal are not on the roster. Fill needs without assuming they will be ready. Add reinforcements. Create real competition.
If either player returns and helps, great. Treat it like found depth. If not, the Detroit Lions will have protected themselves. That is the responsible path in the NFL. Injuries reshape depth charts fast. Betting on uncertain health invites avoidable risk.
The cap ramifications exist in the background. They matter, but the football decision comes first. Secure reliable snaps from players you can count on today. Let the tolled deals be an accounting detail, not a crutch for roster math.
Realistic expectations and a hopeful upsideRoot for the best. Fingers are crossed. Onwuzurike and Paschal are easy to support. If they make it back and give quality reps, the Lions get a feel-good story and needed depth. But the staff must prepare for the opposite. Plan for zero snaps. Anything above that is a win.
The message is consistent and simple. They are under contract for 2025. The team will not depend on them. The Lions should draft and shop in free agency as if neither player is available. Keep standards high. Keep timelines conservative. Let the players work back at the right pace without pressure that strains the roster.
This is the sober calculus of a contender. The Detroit Lions can honor both truths at once. Celebrate the news that the players are back under contract. Then build a depth chart that does not rely on them. That is how the Detroit Lions Podcast frames it, and it is the prudent way to navigate the months ahead.
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