Jackson Reid
The Detroit Lions have been making moves both on and off the football field. The team has been built through the draft, but trades and free-agent signings have also contributed to their success. One of their notable trades was in 2020 when they shipped star cornerback Darius Slay Jr. to the Philadelphia Eagles, which was later named one of their biggest blunders. Off the field, the Detroit Lions are expanding their horizons by venturing into golf. In 2025, it was announced that the Motor City Golf Club, co-owned by Detroit Lions owner Sheila Hamp, will join the indoor golf league TGL in 2027. This expansion comes with a hefty price tag of over $70 million, more than double what other franchises paid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Detroit Lions owner | Sheila Hamp |
| Co-owner of Motor City Golf Club | Steve Hamp |
| Detroit Lions quarterback | Matthew Stafford |
| Detroit Lions tight end | Sam LaPorta |
| Detroit Lions draft pick | Tate Ratledge |
| Detroit Lions cornerback | Darius Slay Jr. |
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What You'll Learn
Detroit Lions' involvement in golf tournaments
The Detroit Lions have had several involvements in golf tournaments. One notable example is the Rocket Classic at the Detroit Golf Club, where several Detroit Lions players have taken centre stage at the events leading up to the annual tournament. This includes a Pro-Am that occurs before the official start of the golf tournament.
In addition to participating in golf tournaments, some Detroit Lions players are also avid golfers who organise their own golf tournaments. Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate, for example, is a lefty who plays golf as a righty. He organises annual golf tournaments, including one called the "Clausen Classic," where eight participants play three rounds of golf, tournament-style, and have to finish a pint or a handle of alcohol by the 18th hole.
The Detroit Lions also have a range of team-branded golf equipment, such as golf club grips and putter grips, that showcase the team's spirit on the golf course. These grips are designed with cutting-edge swing grip technology, featuring Traxion Control for enhanced feedback and control. SuperStroke, the company that makes these grips, is trusted by top professional golfers, including Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay.
The Detroit Lions' involvement in golf extends beyond their players' participation in tournaments and the branding of golf equipment. The team has also been featured in golf-related media content, such as the "A Round with Golden Tate" article published by golf.com, where Tate shares his experiences and stories related to golf and his annual tournaments.
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Detroit Lions trading players for draft picks
The Detroit Lions have been very active in trading players for draft picks in recent years. The team has a history of utilising trades, free agent signings, and international recruitment to build its roster, and has also been known to trade future draft picks for players to bolster its current roster.
In 2024, the Lions traded a 2025 third-round pick to the New York Jets to move up and select offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, and traded a 2025 fourth-round pick to acquire running back Sione Vaki. The Lions also traded with the Cleveland Browns, acquiring Za'Darius Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round selection and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Additionally, the Lions traded away four draft picks and acquired two in the seven months leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Lions have also been active in trading current players for draft picks. In 2025, the team traded cornerback Carlton Davis III to the New England Patriots, and signed D.J. Reed as his replacement. The Lions also traded Darius Slay five years ago, and acquired a fourth-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade involving D'Andre Swift.
Looking ahead to future drafts, the Lions are reportedly considering trading multiple future picks to move up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. According to a Reddit user, the Lions could trade their 29th overall pick, along with a future first and third-round pick, to move up and select defender Laiatu Latu. The same user also suggested that the Lions could trade up by offering their 29th overall pick along with either their second or third-round pick to select Jared Verse or Quinyon Mitchell.
Overall, the Detroit Lions have a history of actively trading players for draft picks and vice versa, utilising these trades to build and shape their roster both for the present and future.
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TGL Golf adding Detroit as an expansion city
TGL Golf has added Detroit as its seventh expansion city, with the Motor City Golf Club joining the league in 2027. The team will be co-owned by Steve Hamp and Sheila Ford Hamp, the principal owner and chairwoman of the Detroit Lions. Other members of the ownership group include Michael Hamp, Peter Hamp, Kevin Kelleher, Denver Broncos owner Rob Walton, and attorney Jordan Rose.
The Motor City Golf Club paid more than $70 million to enter the league, more than double the price of TGL's founding franchises. TGL Holdings has also filed trademark requests for "Chicago Links Golf Club" and "Texas Golf Club", indicating potential future expansion plans. The league has also considered adding women to its competition and opening a West Coast playing venue.
The Detroit Lions have a history of participating in golf events, with several players taking centre stage at the annual Rocket Classic at the Detroit Golf Club. The team's involvement in these events and the expansion of TGL Golf to Detroit highlights the city's passion for sports and the region's love of golf.
TGL CEO Mike McCarley expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the league to Detroit, stating, "Detroit is a fantastic sports town. The city has a championship legacy and Detroit fans are passionate about their teams and they'll let you know it." The ownership group for Motor City Golf Club also emphasised their deep ties to the community and expertise as NFL team owners, aiming to forge a team that embodies Detroit's culture and the region's love of golf.
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Detroit Lions' international player signings
The Detroit Lions have a history of looking beyond America's borders to recruit talent. In the past, they have signed Giovanni Manu from Canada and Ahmed Hassanein from Egypt.
In 2025, the Lions signed D.J. Reed as cornerback, replacing Carlton Davis III who left for the New England Patriots. Reed is an experienced player, having played for the Jets, who boasted one of the league's top defenses, and has 60 starts over seven seasons.
The Lions also brought back Nowaske, who was claimed off waivers in August 2024. He proved his worth by starting in three of his 13 appearances last season, logging 19 tackles, four quarterback hits, 2.0 sacks, and an interception.
Another defensive signing was Onwuzurike, who was kept on a one-year deal for $5.5 million. Onwuzurike was a member of GM Brad Holmes' original 2021 draft class and has shown his worth with a career-best season in 2024, starting 10 of 16 games and achieving 28 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 13 quarterback hits.
The Lions also drafted Tate Ratledge in the second round, with the aim of bolstering their offensive line in 2025.
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Detroit Lions' biggest trade blunders
The Detroit Lions have a history of making trades and signing free agents to build their team, and while some of these moves have been successful, others have been considered blunders by fans and analysts. One of the biggest trade blunders in recent memory for the Detroit Lions was their 2020 deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, which sent star cornerback Darius Slay Jr. to Philadelphia. This move was recently dubbed one of the worst of the last decade by Bleacher Report, especially since Slay went on to have a very successful run with the Eagles, appearing in three Pro Bowls and playing in the Super Bowl—an accomplishment that eluded him during his time with the Lions.
The trade was instigated by a rift between Slay and coach Matt Patricia, which led general manager Bob Quinn to ship Slay to a conference rival. In return, the Lions received modest draft picks in the third and fifth rounds of the 2020 draft. While the third-round pick was used to trade up for guard Jonah Jackson, and the fifth-round pick was used on wideout Quintez Cephus, neither player signed a second contract with Detroit.
The Lions have also been known to look beyond the US borders for talent, acquiring players like Giovanni Manu from Canada and Ahmed Hassanein from Egypt. However, their willingness to make bold moves has sometimes backfired, as was the case with the Slay trade. Despite this misstep, the Lions have shown they can learn from their mistakes, with the work of current general manager Brad Holmes being praised for putting the team firmly in a Super Bowl window.
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Frequently asked questions
The Detroit Lions have primarily built their team through the draft, but trades and free agent signings have also contributed to their success.
TGL is a Florida-based indoor golf league fronted by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
TGL's Detroit expansion team, Motor City Golf Club, is co-owned by Detroit Lions owner Sheila Hamp, her son Michael Hamp, Peter Hamp, Kevin Kelleher, Denver Broncos owner Rob Walton, and attorney Jordan Rose.
The Detroit Lions traded star cornerback Darius Slay Jr. to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. Slay played five strong seasons as Philly’s top boundary corner, making three Pro Bowl appearances and appearing in two Super Bowls. In contrast, the Lions did not re-sign the players they drafted with the picks acquired in the trade.
