Detroit Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin (99) practices during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Detroit Lions have had plenty of changes this offseason as they look to compete for a spot in the Super Bowl. The Lions lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching opportunities and Detroit had to navigate another change when center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement last week.

While those stories have dominated most of the headlines during OTAs, the Lions had other players who are trying to avoid becoming the team’s next big departure. That includes a young defender that has battled injuries during his career, but now finds himself on the chopping block after the team concluded its offseason workouts.

Former Third-Round Pick Brodric Martin on Chopping Block Following Lions OTAs

The interior of the defensive line has been a big discussion topic throughout the offseason. But one player that has been lost in the shuffle is Brodric Martin. Martin was a third-round pick by the Lions during the 2023 draft and came off a standout career at Western Kentucky with 62 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks in two seasons as a starter.

While the 6-foot-5, 330-pounder had plenty of upside, it hasn’t translated to the next level, mainly due to injury. Martin played in just three games during his rookie season and was limited to two games in 2024 after suffering a hyperextended knee in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. When the Lions were battling for the top seed in the NFC, Martin was on the sideline, giving him motivation to get in better shape for this season.

“I took a step back, I got hurt and all that. I’m just gonna chalk it up to one more year of development,” Martin said via SI’s John Maakaron. “One more year of development is all I’m gonna say about that. I took my L and got hurt and all that, but it was still a year of development. Next year is gonna be better.”

Martin may have the right mindset but the Lions may have some concerns. Despite the possibility of Alim McNiel missing the start of next season after tearing his ACL in December, the Lions signed Roy Lopez in free agency and added Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round of April’s draft.

The additions signal that now is the time for Martin to show his improvement even as he enters training camp with the fourth string. Unless he can find a way to climb the depth chart, his time in Detroit appears to be entering its final weeks and could have him looking for a new job by the beginning of next season.

Za’Darius Smith makes clear he still wants to sign with Detroit Lions

Free agent pass rusher Za’Darius Smith made it very clear he wants to re-sign with Detroit Lions.

For those hoping the Detroit Lions bring back Za’Darius Smith for the 2025 season, you aren’t the only one. The veteran pass rusher said publicly this week that he wants to continue to play in Detroit this upcoming season.

“We both know where I want to be,” Smith told USA TODAY at the BET Awards. “Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I’m there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”

Last year, the Lions acquired Smith at the trade deadline after losing players like Derrick Barnes, Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and John Cominsky to injury. Detroit sent a a 2025 fifth and 2026 sixth-round pick to the Browns for Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick. Down the stretch, Smith provided a good amount of pass rush for Detroit. Smith tallied 4.0 sacks, three tackles for loss, and 36 pressures in eight game appearances for the Lions.

This offseason, Detroit opted to cut Smith in a cap-saving move. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said that purely an economic move, clearing out a total of $11 million in space over two seasons with no dead money on the books.

“We just weren’t in a position to keep him at his salary,” Holmes said. “Because look, he played some good snaps for us and he made plays for us when we acquired him, so we would have loved to (have) been able to keep him. We just weren’t able to.”

That said, Holmes has said he’s open to reunion, and that the team has remained in contact with Smith’s agent regarding a possible return. Holmes’ latest update suggests the ball is in the player’s court.

“I think we kind of left it as that his agent would let us know if something was going on or if anything has changed or if we have any updates,” Holmes said in April.

Another big reason Smith wants to return to Detroit is to accomplish the one thing missing from his impressive 10-year career: a Super Bowl ring.

“I’m going into Year 11. As a veteran, (a championship) is the only thing that I’m missing,” Smith said. “I did the sacks, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, so it’s really just me getting a ring now and winning a championship.”