Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Mike Payton | Last updated Mar 13, 2026 9:40 PM ET
I know Detroit Lions fans have been wondering when their team would start making more defensive moves in free agency. That time is Friday, apparently.
The Lions have signed cornerback Roger McCreary to a one-year deal
In a world where a lot of attention is paid to the moves the Lions aren’t making, they’re making these cheap key moves that are really solid. The Lions needed cornerback help in the slot, and earlier in the week, they added Christian Izien, who can play both safety and slot corner, but McCreary is the guy who has specialized in playing the slot and has been a starter doing it. So that probably tells you that Izien will stick to the safety position more than anything.
The former second-round pick spent three and a half years with the Titans and started 38 games for them before the Rams traded for him last season. He played pretty well in both spots and got some strong coverage grades from Pro Football Focus. He finished last season with a 73 grade.
He got beaten up in his rookie season and allowed seven touchdowns. Since then, he’s allowed four in the last three years. Moving to the slot is what helped him improve so much. The Titans invested a lot in their secondary in 2024, and that affected his playing time, but he looked good when he was on the field.
We talked with our Titans beat writer, Easton Freeze, about McCreary, and here’s what he had to say about his time in Tennessee
“The Titans’ decision to move McCreary at last year’s deadline had more to do with front office regime change and pending contract status than it had to do with his ability. He was a steady contributor on an otherwise rough Titans defense for a while before he went to LA, where he struggled to get a foothold and dealt with an injury. I wouldn’t get caught up in the short spell with the Rams, because I saw him be a reliable slot corner in Nashville for a long time before that. His lack of length if asked to work on the outside will rear its ugly head at times, but he’s a smart young player who a competitive team should want on their roster.
We also talked with our Rams beat writer, AJ Schulte, and here’s what he had to say about the short time McCreary was in Los Angeles.
“The Rams never got to find out just what Roger McCreary could do for their defense, as he missed most of this season with a hip injury and rarely saw the field even when he was healthy. He is an intriguing option as a nickel/dime cornerback with terrific instincts in coverage and a knack for always being around the ball.”
This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.
