On March 5, the Detroit Lions signed Emmanuel Moseley, a free agency cornerback. However, the Lions do not plan to do the same with fellow cornerback Jerry Jacobs.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on March 6 that the Lions “do not plan to tender” Jacobs, a restricted free agent. This decision will make Jacobs an unrestricted free agent.
Jacobs started 29 games for the Lions in the previous three seasons. He started a career-high 12 games for Detroit in 2023.
However, Jacobs lost his starting spot in Week 14 to the Chicago Bears. He played only one defensive snap in the team’s final four games. Jacobs was also inactive for Detroit’s three postseason games.
In 15 games in 2023, Jacobs recorded 55 total tackles, 8 pass defenses, and 3 interceptions.
Lions Not Bringing Back CB Jerry Jacobs
Jacobs has known what was coming since the postseason.
The third-year cornerback was suffering with a thigh/knee issue entering the playoffs. He was limited in practice on January 10, but Jacobs did not practice on January 11. The team then placed him on injured reserve, effectively ending his season.
Jacobs appeared to bid the Lions farewell on social media shortly after being placed on injured reserve. Jacobs deleted the tweet, but Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press reported that it stated “Thank you Detroit” and included a blue heart emoji.
As a restricted free agent, Jacobs did not have the same offseason options as unrestricted free agents. However, without a tender from the Lions, Jacobs will enter unrestricted free agency when it opens on March 13.
Jacobs signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 before starting for the first time in Week 5.
