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With Lions veterans expected to report to training camp on July 28, one free agent in the secondary who is expected to draw plenty of attention is Roger McCreary. McCreary signed with Detroit this offseason after spending part of last season with the Los Angeles Rams, who acquired him in a midseason trade from the Tennessee Titans. The Rams sent a sixth-round pick and a seventh-round pick to Tennessee in exchange for McCreary.
McCreary signed a one-year, $1,402,500 contract with the Lions on March 13, 2026. The deal includes a $187,500 signing bonus and $987,500 in guaranteed money.
After allowing Amik Robertson to leave in free agency, Detroit now turns to McCreary, who has been in the NFL since 2022. Although he appeared in just three games for the Rams after the trade, McCreary has played in 61 career games with 38 starts. During that span, he has recorded three interceptions, 17 pass breakups and four sacks. His ability to blitz is something defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard could get creative with this season.
McCreary earned a 69.2 overall PFF defensive grade during the 2025 season, ranking 27th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His 69.7 coverage grade ranked 29th, while his 63.7 run-defense grade ranked 45th at the position. He recorded one interception, one pass breakup and allowed a 110.2 passer rating when targeted. McCreary also surrendered 26 receptions while contributing 28 solo tackles in run support and open-field situations.
His best season came in 2023 when he posted a 71.3 overall PFF grade, including a 72.2 coverage grade and a 70.0 pass-rush grade. He finished with 66 solo tackles, the fifth-most among all cornerbacks, while adding seven total pressures, also fifth-most at the position. McCreary recorded 33 defensive stops, tied for fifth among cornerbacks, and added two sacks, tied for third, while playing 934 defensive snaps.
McCreary is expected to begin the season as Detroit’s starting nickel corner, though he also has the versatility to line up on the outside. He has also recorded at least one sack in each of the past three seasons, showing his value as a blitzer.
McCreary has been relatively healthy throughout his career but has dealt with a few nagging injuries.
It wouldn’t be surprising if McCreary missed a couple of games this season given his recent injury history. However, at just 26 years old, he is still in the prime of his career and has a great opportunity to become an important piece of Detroit’s secondary in 2026.
Continue reading...
McCreary signed a one-year, $1,402,500 contract with the Lions on March 13, 2026. The deal includes a $187,500 signing bonus and $987,500 in guaranteed money.
After allowing Amik Robertson to leave in free agency, Detroit now turns to McCreary, who has been in the NFL since 2022. Although he appeared in just three games for the Rams after the trade, McCreary has played in 61 career games with 38 starts. During that span, he has recorded three interceptions, 17 pass breakups and four sacks. His ability to blitz is something defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard could get creative with this season.
McCreary earned a 69.2 overall PFF defensive grade during the 2025 season, ranking 27th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His 69.7 coverage grade ranked 29th, while his 63.7 run-defense grade ranked 45th at the position. He recorded one interception, one pass breakup and allowed a 110.2 passer rating when targeted. McCreary also surrendered 26 receptions while contributing 28 solo tackles in run support and open-field situations.
His best season came in 2023 when he posted a 71.3 overall PFF grade, including a 72.2 coverage grade and a 70.0 pass-rush grade. He finished with 66 solo tackles, the fifth-most among all cornerbacks, while adding seven total pressures, also fifth-most at the position. McCreary recorded 33 defensive stops, tied for fifth among cornerbacks, and added two sacks, tied for third, while playing 934 defensive snaps.
McCreary is expected to begin the season as Detroit’s starting nickel corner, though he also has the versatility to line up on the outside. He has also recorded at least one sack in each of the past three seasons, showing his value as a blitzer.
McCreary has been relatively healthy throughout his career but has dealt with a few nagging injuries.
- 2025: Suffered a hip/groin injury on his first defensive snap after being traded to the Rams in Week 12. He missed four games on injured reserve before returning for the end of the regular season and the playoffs.
- 2024: Dealt with a minor shoulder injury that caused him to miss two games while appearing in 15 of 17 contests.
- 2023: Missed two games with a hamstring strain while with the Titans.
- 2022: Played all 17 games during his rookie season without missing any time.
It wouldn’t be surprising if McCreary missed a couple of games this season given his recent injury history. However, at just 26 years old, he is still in the prime of his career and has a great opportunity to become an important piece of Detroit’s secondary in 2026.
Continue reading...
