Chicago Bears NFC North Rivals: A look at the Detroit Lions

The Lions off-season moves

Our colleague Cameron Ellis wrote about the moves each NFC North rival has made and cites the addition of defensive tackle DJ Reader and guard Kevin Zeitler as two moves that should concern the Bears fans.

Reader is a massive run-stuffing defensive tackle, who had been one of the defensive leaders on the Cincinnati Bengals while he was there. His addition will bolster their run defense and help their interior pass rush alongside Alim McNeill. They signed Zeitler following the loss of Jonah Jackson, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Despite turning 34 in March, he has been incredibly durable throughout his career. He is from Wisconsin, so being close to his home, and playing for a Super Bowl contender had to be attractive for him.

Their other notable additions were edge rusher Marcus Davenport, cornerbacks Amik Robertson and Carlton Davis III, and wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. Their notable losses are cornerbacks C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Cameron Sutton, and wide receiver Josh Reynolds. Sutton in particular was involved in a domestic violence dispute and was on the run for three weeks before he turned himself in on Easter Sunday. The Lions promptly released him last month nearly a year after he signed a three-year deal with the Lions.