Ben Johnson
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The Lions have lost All-Pro wide receiver Kalif Raymond to Ben Johnson and the Bears in free agency
The Detroit Lions are hard at work now that the legal tampering period for free agency is open. However, to this point, they have had a bit of a middling start, as they have had to move on from several key players. And on Tuesday, it appears as if another longtime member of head coach Dan Campbell‘s squad will be headed for the exit door.
One of the Lions’ top free agents this offseason was former All-Pro return man Kalif Raymond, who also factors in as a secondary playmaker on offense. With Raymond hitting the open market, his return to Detroit seemed to be up in the air, and sure enough, he has been scooped up by one of Campbell’s old friends.
Kalif Raymond Signs with the Bears in Free Agency
Raymond didn’t get selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, but he latched on with the Denver Broncos and spent the first season of his career with them. Early in his career, Raymond spent time with several different teams before he eventually found a home with the Tennessee Titans in 2018. After putting himself on the map with a pair of solid seasons in 2019 and 2020, Raymond signed with the Lions in 2021.
After finding his way to Detroit, Raymond quickly became a key gadget-type player for Campbell on both offense and special teams. A speedster who could make plays with the ball in his hands, Raymond earned a pair of All-Pro Second Team honors in 2022 and 2024, largely due to his contributions as a return man.
Raymond’s impact seemed to wane in 2025, and it wasn’t a major surprise to see him hit the open market. With a return to the Lions up in the air, former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who now works as the Chicago Bears head coach, pounced on an opportunity to bring Raymond to town, as reports indicate he will sign with them in free agency.
“Source: The Bears are signing former Lions WR and returner Kalif Raymond, adding an intriguing weapon in Chicago,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported in a post on X.
Lions Must Find Proper Replacement for Kalif Raymond
Kalif Raymond
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 8: Kalif Raymond #11 of the Detroit Lions comes out of the tunnel prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 8, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Losing Raymond will certainly hurt Detroit, but it helps that it may already have his replacement on its roster. As the 2025 campaign went on, Tom Kennedy received more opportunities as the Lions’ return man, and as a wide receiver himself, he could slide into Raymond’s role on offense as a deep threat who can rip off big plays when he has the football in his hands.
This isn’t to say that Detroit is lacking weapons on offense, but after also losing David Montgomery, it appears as if the team could use some extra help in the playmaker department on this side of the ball. Kennedy could very well replace Raymond, but if the Lions want to make legitimate upgrades on offense, they may have to get a bit more active in free agency.