The Detroit Lions signed free agency cornerback Emmanuel Moseley on March 5. However, the Lions do not plan to do the same with fellow cornerback Jerry Jacobs.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on March 6 that the Lions “do not plan to tender” Jacobs, a restricted free agent. This decision will make Jacobs an unrestricted free agent.
Jacobs started 29 games for the Lions in the previous three seasons. He started a career-high 12 games for Detroit in 2023.
However, Jacobs lost his starting spot in Week 14 to the Chicago Bears. He played only one defensive snap in the team’s final four games. Jacobs was also inactive for Detroit’s three postseason games.
In 15 games in 2023, Jacobs recorded 55 total tackles, 8 pass defenses, and 3 interceptions.
Lions Not Bringing Back CB Jerry Jacobs
Jacobs has known what was coming since the postseason.
The third-year cornerback was suffering with a thigh/knee issue entering the playoffs. He was limited in practice on January 10, but Jacobs did not practice on January 11. The team then placed him on injured reserve, effectively ending his season.
Jacobs appeared to bid the Lions farewell on social media shortly after being placed on injured reserve. Jacobs deleted the tweet, but Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press reported that it stated “Thank you Detroit” and included a blue heart emoji.
As a restricted free agent, Jacobs did not have the same offseason options as unrestricted free agents. However, without a tender from the Lions, Jacobs will enter unrestricted free agency when it opens on March 13.
Jacobs signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 before starting for the first time in Week 5.
He started nine consecutive games as a rookie before tearing his ACL in Week 14.
Jacobs returned from his injuries in late October 2022. He concluded his second season by starting the final eight games.
To begin 2023, Jacobs started the first six games. He then missed Week 7 with a knee issue. Jacobs returned and started the next six games before losing his starting status.
Jacobs recorded 131 combined tackles in 40 games with the Lions, including 9 tackles for loss, 23 pass defenses, and 4 interceptions. He also registered three quarterback hits, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Lions CB Depth Entering NFL Free Agency
While the Lions are not bringing back Jacobs, they have signed Moseley to a one-year contract. Moseley played only 2 defensive snaps in 2023 due to multiple ACL injuries, but the Lions are taking a chance on Moseley, hoping he can return to his 2021 form if healthy this autumn.
In addition to Moseley, the Lions have cornerbacks Cameron Sutton, Brian Branch, Craig James, and Steven Gilmore on contract for the 2024 season.
Moseley could start opposite Sutton, but with two ACL tears in the previous two seasons, that’s not a guarantee. Branch is Detroit’s nickel cornerback, while James and Gilmore are not adequate starters.
So, with Jacobs and the team’s other cornerbacks set to enter unrestricted free agency, the Lions will need to sign at least one more starting-caliber cornerback this offseason.
The most likely possibility is that Detroit adds a cornerback through free agency or trade. However, choosing a cornerback in the first round is also an option.
