{"id":810683,"date":"2026-03-13T23:30:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T23:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/810683\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T23:30:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T23:30:33","slug":"cb-roger-mccreary-gets-deal-with-detroit-lions-as-more-secondary-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/810683\/","title":{"rendered":"CB Roger McCreary gets deal with Detroit Lions as more secondary help"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Lions<\/a> haven’t done anything yet in free agency to strengthen their thin defensive line, but they continue to add insurance to their secondary.<\/p>\n

The Lions agreed to a one-year deal with former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Roger McCreary on Friday, March 13, a person familiar with the deal but not authorized to discuss it publicly because it’s not yet signed, told the Free Press.<\/p>\n

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McCreary, 26, was a part-time starter last season with the Tennessee Titans before he was sent to the Rams at the NFL trade deadline for a pick swap.<\/p>\n

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Oct 19, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary (21) walks off the field post game against the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

ON OFFENSE: Tyler Conklin, Michigan native and ex-CMU TE, joining Detroit Lions<\/a><\/p>\n

In Detroit, McCreary should add depth to a secondary that has injury and off-field concerns.<\/p>\n

The Lions return four starters in their secondary in cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold and safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch \u2013 slot cornerback Amik Robertson left for the Washington Commanders in free agency \u2013 but Arnold, Joseph and Branch are returning from season-ending injuries<\/a> and Arnold is\u00a0the subject of a police investigation<\/a>\u00a0in Florida that could impact his availability this fall.<\/p>\n

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The Lions, who also return backup cornerbacks Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Khalil Dorsey and No. 3 safety Thomas Harper, signed defensive back Christian Izien<\/a> earlier in free agency.<\/p>\n

Izien can play slot cornerback or safety, and along with McCreary gives the Lions options in their secondary.<\/p>\n

Rakestraw, a second-round pick in 2024, also is coming off a season-ending injury.<\/a><\/p>\n

A second-round pick by the Titans in 2022, McCreary started all 17 games as a rookie but has seen his playing time decrease every year since. He started 11 games in 2023, seven in 2024 and three last year, when he allowed a 110.2 passer rating, according to Pro Football Reference<\/a>, and saw limited time on defense \u2013 just 38 snaps \u2013 after his trade to the Rams.<\/p>\n

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The Lions spent the early part of free agency addressing their offense, agreeing to contracts with linemen Cade Mays<\/a> and Larry Borom<\/a>, running back Isiah Pacheco<\/a> and backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the first 32 hours of the negotiating period.<\/p>\n

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner<\/p>\n

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco takes the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner<\/p>\n

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco takes the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner<\/p>\n

Running back Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball as defensive end Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions defends during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner<\/p>\n

Running back Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball during the game against the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner<\/p>\n

Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes tackles Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the second half of the Lions’ 21-20 win on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner<\/p>\n

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 8<\/p>\n

Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner<\/p>\n

Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal (93) tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 8<\/p>\n

Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner<\/p>\n

Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 7, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 8<\/p>\n

Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium, Feb. 12, 2023 in Glendale, Ariz.<\/p>\n

On defense, they re-signed Ya-Sin<\/a> and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez<\/a>, and added McCreary and Izien, but have not signed an edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.<\/p>\n

The Lions also signed backup tight end Tyler Conklin<\/a> on Friday.<\/p>\n

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at\u00a0dbirkett@freepress.com<\/a>. Follow him on\u00a0Bluesky<\/a>,\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0at @davebirkett.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: CB Roger McCreary gets deal with Detroit Lions as more secondary help<\/a><\/p>\n