Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions.
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The Detroit Lions have officially inked a $36 Million player who promises an "aggressive" playing style on the field.
The Detroit Lions are making moves ahead of the 2026-27 NFL season and trying to rebuild this team into a championship-winning enterprise, and part of that is signing free agents. On Monday, March 16, the Lions made things official with one player who hails from Matthew Stafford‘s team, the Los Angeles Rams.
What’s unique about this player is that he has an “aggressive” playing style that fits in Detroit like a glove. The Detroit Lions are known for their physical playing style, so this talent should fit right in with Dan Campbell and company.
Detroit Lions Sign Player From Los Angeles Rams Who Brings a Physical Playing Style
On Monday, March 16, the Detroit Lions officially announced that they’ve signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Roger McCreary. While they didn’t disclose contract details, before the move, the Rams Wire had him projected at a three-year, $36 million extension with Los Angeles.
McCreary was with the Rams for the 2025 season, and before then, he played for the Tennessee Titans from 2022 to 2025. According to NFL research, McCreary has appeared in 61-career games with 38 starts and has totaled 257 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 17 pass defenses, four sacks and three interceptions.
During his opening press conference, McCreary talked about why he was excited to come to the Detroit Lions. A lot of it has to do with Campbell.
“Just the team. I’ll say the coach, Dan (Campbell). Just seeing the type of coach that he is. I know the style he is,” McCready said. “I would love to be coached by a person like that, because he played the game, he knows the game. And I feel like that’s the best experience, by being coached by somebody who’s been through it.”
McCreary also talked up his aggressive playing style, which is the perfect thing to say he Detroit, stating, “I said that’s part of my playing style. I feel like what shines the most is, with my size and everything, the aggressiveness. I feel like setting the edge, tackling and being there.”
He added, “Filling in the gaps, disrupting the ball and everything. I feel like that’s my playing style. And that’s what stands out the most.”
New Detroit Lions Player’s Draft Profile Also Calls Him ‘Aggressive’
McCreary’s draft profile from 2022 still holds today. In the profile, they called him a “press-man cornerback with physical limitations that could create occasional roller-coaster matchups on Sundays.”
Again, that word “aggressive” stands out, with the draft profile stating that “McCreary is aggressive, with the play strength to bully the release and alter route timing. He lacks fluidity in lateral transitions from off-man and lacks make-up burst to stay connected to cross-country routes.”
The profile adds, “Tall receivers have advantages on jump balls and fades, but finding catch space will be a chore for opponents when he’s in phase on vertical routes. He has average starting talent as a CB2/3 but needs to operate in a scheme that allows him to play hugged-up coverage, limiting operating space for wideouts.”
So, the Detroit Lions have brought a fresh face over from the Rams. When the season kicks in, Detroit will get to see what McCreary can do.