TheDetroit Lions are making another tough roster decision followingDavid Montgomery’s departure, opting not to tender a contract to veteran wide receiver Tom Kennedy, a player long connected to the previous regime.
Kennedy, a restricted free agent, now enters the open market. Despite limited playing time, the 29-year-old had been a mainstay on the practice squad, occasionally stepping into the active roster when injuries struck, earning praise from teammates and fans alike.
Kennedy appeared in four games in 2024, recording no receptions while playing 16 offensive snaps and 20 on special teams. His last reception came in 2022, when he caught eight passes for 141 yards, highlighting his minimal impact in recent seasons.
In December, Kennedy was promoted to the active roster after Kalif Raymond suffered an injury. He contributed as a return specialist, averaging 27 yards per kick return and 21 yards on a punt return, showing flashes of value in his limited opportunities.
Despite his modest role, Kennedy earned respect in Detroit for strong preseason performances and consistency, becoming a fan favorite and respected presence in the locker room, even as his on-field contributions remained limited during regular-season contests.
By declining to tender Kennedy, the Lions free him to sign with any other team, though returning to Detroit could remain his most realistic option, given familiarity with the system and relationships built over his years in the organization.
As Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported, Kennedy joins a group of 23 unrestricted free agents who became available at 16:00 ET on Wednesday, March 11 – including several starters who have already signed with other teams.
The Lions have also restructured quarterback Jared Goff’s contract to create additional salary cap space while pursuing potential high-profile acquisitions, though they have yet to announce major new additions, leaving room for strategic roster changes.
Lions replace Montgomery with Isiah Pacheco
Meanwhile, the Lions have finalized a one-year contract with Isiah Pacheco, providing a new backfield option alongside Jahmyr Gibbs. The deal, according to ESPN sources, is fully guaranteed for $1.81 million, ensuring immediate depth at running back.
Pacheco, 27, leaves the Kansas City Chiefs for Detroit after four seasons in Andy Reid’s offense, sharing the backfield with Patrick Mahomes and contributing to two Super Bowl championships, gaining valuable experience in high-pressure situations.
Last season, Pacheco appeared in 13 games, totaling 462 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Selected in the 2022 draft with the 251st pick, he became an impactful contributor in 2022 and 2023 before a fibula injury in Week 2 of 2024 limited his performance.
The injury forced him to miss ten games, and Pacheco has not yet returned to the level he showed in 2023, when he produced 935 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns. In 2025, he did not record a single rush exceeding 20 yards, reflecting a dip in explosiveness.
Meanwhile, David Montgomery heads to the Houston Texans in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks, leaving a vacancy that Pacheco is expected to fill as Detroit’s primary running back for the upcoming season.
Montgomery leaves Detroit with 2,506 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns across three seasons. He will step in as Houston’s lead back in 2026, providing the Texans with a proven option after a reduced role in his final year with the Lions.
The Lions’ decision to trade Montgomery came after his workload decreased significantly in 2025, playing only 33% of offensive snaps in the final eight games and posting career-low touches, prompting management to pursue a new backfield solution in Pacheco.
