The first move in the Detroit Lions’ cornerback overhaul last offseason was the trade to acquire Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He proved to be exactly what he told reporters he would be, a perfect fit for Aaron Glenn’s man-heavy coverage schemes and a fit off the field as well.

Earlier this offseason, Davis said how much he liked playing for Dan Campbell. That seemed to point toward a return as he hit the free agency, but as it is with any free agent it behooves him to see what else is out there on the open market.

On Wednesday, days before free agency gets going, Davis sent a message to his suitors on Twitter.

I won’t make the same mistake twice . If you want your defense upgraded yall know who to pay .Turn on the Tape !

— C-Murda ™ (@Carlton_Lowkey) March 5, 2025

Spotrac has Davis’ market value at $13.8 million per year, with a projected three-year, $41.3 million deal. Pro Football Focus has nearly the same contract projection for him (three years, $42 million; $25 million guaranteed).

Lions don’t seem likely to meet Carlton Davis’ contract demands

Davis is lined up to have multiple free agency suitors, which may drive up the cost to sign him. Missing the end of last season with a broken jaw, and one other game during the regular season, continued his trend of missing noticeable time (at least four games missed in four straight seasons). He is also a little on the older side, set to turn 29 late next season, so those durability concerns are not going to go away.

In his free agency preview for defensive backs, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press had a note about where the Lions are in terms of willingness to spend on a veteran cornerback.

“The Lions are looking to spend slightly less on a veteran cornerback, perhaps in the $12 million-per-year range, one agent who met with the Lions at the NFL combine told the Free Press last week.”

To put it plainly, $12 million a year solidly below the perception of Davis’ market value from two prominent sites. Those two estimates could even be a little low, as Davis could land a deal for $15 million a year.

Beyond that, Brad Holmes may be comfortable with Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson as his top two cornerbacks next season. A hopefully healthier Ennis Rakestraw and a potential lower-end veteran addition would round out the top four.

Going public on social media with such things is still a little weird, but no one should criticize Davis for placing priority on getting the most money he can. It has always been possible he won’t get that from the Lions, and Birkett’s report only fortifies the idea Davis will find a deal more to his liking elsewhere.