As they approach their sixth season together, general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have successfully transformed the Detroit Lions from a struggling franchise into a legitimate annual contender in the National Football League.

However, in the NFL, even five or six seasons can feel like a long time. The well-known quote from former coach Jerry Glanville about what “NFL” stands for continues to ring true each year. While Detroit has worked hard to retain its core players, the roster has still changed significantly over the past two seasons, especially with the team’s strong drafting success bringing in new talent.

Among the players who have been part of the Lions’ rebuilding process, one name that has quietly slipped under the radar is defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike.

Why a Move Involving Levi Onwuzurike May Be Overdue

In a recent offseason analysis, Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton identified one player from each NFL team who could still be released before the season begins. For Detroit, he pointed to Onwuzurike as the most notable candidate.

Onwuzurike’s career faced serious uncertainty after the back surgery he underwent in 2022, which forced him to miss the entire season. The fact that he returned to play in both 2023 and 2024—and even delivered a solid performance in 2024—is an accomplishment in itself.

Still, his current spot on the Lions’ roster may largely be due to the one-year contract he signed in March 2025 rolling over into this year. That situation mirrors what happened with defensive lineman Josh Paschal, who also spent all of last season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list before being released at the start of the new league year in March.

While Paschal battled multiple injuries, he did not miss two full seasons like Onwuzurike did earlier in his career.

Sentimental Value vs. Roster Reality

One possible explanation for Onwuzurike still being on the roster could be his connection to Holmes. The defensive tackle was Holmes’ second draft pick as Lions general manager in the 2021 NFL Draft, which may have provided him with some extra patience from the front office.

However, sentiment rarely plays a long-term role in roster decisions in the NFL. Both Paschal and Onwuzurike have struggled to stay consistently healthy, leaving their futures uncertain.

At this stage, the primary difference between the two players is simple: Onwuzurike remains on the roster while Paschal does not. With Detroit continuing to build a competitive team, the organization may soon have to decide whether it’s time to finally move forward without him.