Like the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions haven't made very many notable moves since free agency began last week, and that didn't change on Tuesday.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday, the Lions and former Vikings pass rusher D.J. Wonnum agreed to a one-year contract worth $6 million.
Wonnum spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, and before that, he was a member of Minnesota's roster for four years after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Detroit Lions fans shouldn't expect much from former Minnesota Vikings pass rusher D.J. Wonnum
During Wonnum's time with the Vikings, he was a solid player, but nothing really more than that. The best season of his NFL career took place in 2021 with Minnesota when he accumulated 42 pressures and eight sacks.
It seemed like that was going to be the beginning of something special, but he was never able to take his performance to a level that was going to convince the Vikings to keep him around with a second contract.
Instead, Minnesota brought in Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel in the 2024 offseason, and Wonnum signed a multi-year deal with the Panthers.
In his two years with Carolina, he averaged only 3.5 sacks and 28 pressures per season. If Detroit is hoping Wonnum can offer them more than those numbers in 2026, then they might be in for a rude awakening.
The former Vikings draft pick is one of three new faces the Lions have added to the defensive side of the ball this offseason, as they also signed cornerback Roger McCreary and safety Christian Izien since the start of free agency last week.
In 2025, Detroit ranked 19th in points allowed per opposing offensive drive under first-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Shepard. In the previous season, with current New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn running the defense, the Lions ranked eighth in the NFL in points allowed per opposing offensive drive.
For the 2026 campaign, the Lions will be hoping the addition of Wonnum and others can help them get back to performing like they did in 2024. But, um, good luck with that.