The Detroit Lions will not compete in Super Bowl LX this Sunday, leaving their fans without their own team to cheer for on the biggest stage. Still, some ex-Lions players have reached this season‘s championship game, giving Detroit supporters a few familiar names to follow as they watch. Five former Lions, including Carlton Davis, have secured spots on either the New England Patriots or Seattle Seahawks rosters, stirring mixed emotions for Lions fans closely tracking their Super Bowl prospects.
Carlton Davis’ Role with the Patriots in Super Bowl LX
Cornerback Carlton Davis, currently with the Patriots, spent only the 2024 season with the Lions after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a trade involving draft picks. Detroit hoped his prior Super Bowl win with the Buccaneers would provide veteran leadership. Despite battling injuries such as a quadriceps strain and a fractured jaw, Davis appeared in 13 games for Detroit, recording two interceptions and recovering two fumbles. However, injuries prevented him from playing in the Lions’ playoff loss to the Washington Commanders.
After Detroit, Davis signed a lucrative three-year, $60 million contract with New England where he started all 17 regular-season games, anchoring one of the NFL’s top defenses. Although he did not record any interceptions during the regular season, he notably picked off two passes from Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in a critical playoff victory.
Jahlani Tavai’s Journey from Lions to Patriots’ Linebacker
Linebacker Jahlani Tavai represents another former Lions player chasing a championship ring with the Patriots. Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft under GM Bob Quinn, Tavai spent two seasons with Detroit, contributing 116 tackles and starting 16 games before being released during the 2021 preseason. He resurfaced in New England’s system, reuniting with former head coach Matt Patricia on the practice squad before earning a more prominent role.
Since joining New England, Tavai has appeared in 76 games, starting 51 and becoming a versatile special teams contributor. He started 16 games in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, even after missing part of 2025 due to injury. Returning to action in October 2025, he started seven of 12 games and participated actively in the Patriots’ playoff run, accumulating seven tackles in 98 snaps on defense and special teams.
Backup Quarterback Joshua Dobbs and His Patriots Tenure
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs, nicknamed “the Passtronaut,” arrived at the Patriots as the second-string behind MVP-contender Drake Maye. With Maye’s injury risks ahead of the Super Bowl, Dobbs remains a plausible on-field option for New England. Although Dobbs never played a regular-season game for Detroit after briefly joining their practice squad in late 2022, his career has since spanned several teams.
After leaving Detroit, Dobbs returned to Tennessee where he started two games with the Titans, then started the 2023 season with the Arizona Cardinals. A midseason trade sent him to the Minnesota Vikings following an injury to Kirk Cousins. Dobbs led the Vikings to two consecutive wins early on but eventually lost the starting role, finishing the season as third-string quarterback.
Seahawks Safety Quandre Diggs Among Former Lions at Super Bowl
Safety Quandre Diggs, drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by Detroit, is another familiar name appearing in Super Bowl LX. Diggs, who battled his way onto the Lions’ starting lineup by 2018 and famously intercepted Sam Darnold’s first career pass for a touchdown, was traded away during the Matt Patricia regime due to reported conflicts. After joining the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, Diggs earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections before his release in 2024.
Following a brief tenure with the Tennessee Titans, Diggs returned to the Seahawks’ practice squad in November 2025. Though he has appeared in only one game since returning, he remains a potential active roster upgrade for the season’s final contests. Even if he does not dress for Super Bowl LX, practice squad players typically receive championship rings if their teams win.
Craig Reynolds’ Status on the Patriots’ Practice Squad
Running back Craig Reynolds, a fan favorite during his time with Detroit, is also poised to be part of a Super Bowl team—albeit from the practice squad. Reynolds, who became well known from his appearances on HBO’s Hard Knocks and notable special teams plays, spent the 2025 season predominantly on special teams, with limited offensive snaps.
When Detroit released Reynolds in November 2025, many Lions fans were disappointed to see him go. He quickly signed with the Patriots’ practice squad but was soon placed on their practice squad injured reserve due to a lingering hamstring injury. Although his immediate Super Bowl participation is uncertain, Reynolds could return to active play in future seasons, raising hopes that fans might someday witness him competing in Honolulu Blue on a Super Bowl stage rather than watching from the sidelines.
Reflecting on the Impact of Former Lions in This Year’s Championship
With no current Detroit Lions players in the Super Bowl, following the journeys of these five former Lions offers a bittersweet connection for Detroit’s fan base. Carlton Davis, Jahlani Tavai, Joshua Dobbs, Quandre Diggs, and Craig Reynolds exemplify how player movement shapes NFL careers and fan loyalties. Their presence on two top-tier Super Bowl teams highlights the complexity of rooting interests when familiar faces confront the ultimate NFL challenge without the team they once represented.
For Lions fans, this situation underscores the bitter tension between championship dreams and frustrating realities, as they watch ex-players chase the glory that remains elusive for the current Detroit roster. Looking ahead, many hope to see actual Lions players take the field at a Super Bowl rather than cheering former teammates in opposing colors.
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