Carlton Davis III is about to appear in the Super Bowl again, but this time with the New England Patriots rather than the Detroit Lions. After leaving Detroit during last year’s free agency, Davis signed with the Patriots, who have rebuilt their defense to become a formidable unit just in time for Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks. His departure raises questions about his feelings on missing the chance to reach the big game while with the Lions, especially considering Detroit’s recent playoff runs in 2023 and 2024.
Davis Reflects Honestly on His Time with Detroit and Free Agency Decisions
Davis openly shared his thoughts in an interview with Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett, expressing that he believed he should have stayed with the Lions for two straight seasons. He emphasized how injuries often determine which NFL teams succeed, highlighting the importance of maintaining player health over the entirety of a season.
Although Davis had hoped to continue his career in Detroit, contract discussions with the Lions did not lead to an agreement. Despite parting ways, Davis maintains strong personal connections with the team and was supportive of their efforts throughout the recent seasons.
“It should have been two straight years I’m here, for sure. I think about that a lot. That’s just how the NFL goes sometimes. You got a great team, great coaching staff, great culture, but sometimes the team can be — injuries. Injuries, that’s the name of the game. It’s who can be healthiest the longest, and usually the team that wins it is the healthiest team.” ? Carlton Davis III, Cornerback
“I love Detroit. Before the season started, I was rooting for those guys as far as like them making it back to the playoffs. I still got a lot of close relationships with the team. Even like how it went with free agency with us and Brad and Dan, it was like a straight-up process.” ? Carlton Davis III, Cornerback
Lions’ Choices and Impact of Davis’ Departure
After Davis left, the Lions signed cornerback D.J. Reed, who unfortunately struggled with injuries throughout the 2025 season. Reed ended the year with two interceptions and a forced fumble but wasn’t consistently available on the field. His absence demonstrated how much the Lions missed Davis’ steady presence in their defense.
The success Davis and fellow former Lion Quandre Diggs have found with their new teams underscores their importance to Detroit’s recent competitiveness. Seeing them thrive elsewhere highlights what the Lions lost when these key players departed. Still, fans can take some solace in having interest in multiple teams leading into the Super Bowl.
The Broader Implications for the Lions and Davis’ Future
Davis’ move to the Patriots and their run to Super Bowl LX serve as a reminder of how critical free agency decisions can be for both players and teams. For Detroit, the challenge remains finding the right balance of health, talent, and contract agreements to build a championship contender. For Davis, continuing to compete on the sport’s biggest stage could further enhance his legacy beyond his time in Detroit.
