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The wanted to improve their Cole Bardreau Jersey secondary this offseason and doing so not only meant adding players, but letting some go. Former No. 3 overall pick was traded to the in return for a fifth-round pick. Lions head coach Dan Campbell stands by his decision to let Okudah go given what Detroit is looking to accomplish in 2023.Losing a former first-rounder in exchange for a fifth-round pick is Travis Sanheim Men Jersey never the most ideal situation, but with the recent additions to Detroit's defense this is what made the most sense.The Lions signed , and C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason. Bringing in these strong players pushed Okudah down the list of cornerbacks."We knew we wanted to upgrade the secondary and we've been pleased with the upgrades that we've made, man," Campbell said ( ). "Bringing in Sutton and Moseley, and then getting C.J. Johnson from Philadelphia, we feel like we really beefed up that area. And we still got , we got back. So we've got a group and we just felt pretty good with Radko Gudas Women Jersey the additions we made." In 15 games, Okudah's completion percentage allowed on targets was 59.7, allowing 681 yards on those completions. One receiving touchdown was scored on him and he ended the year with one interception.Keeping him was not worth Wayne Simmonds Kids Jersey the $10 million cap hit and while they did not save a ton of money, both sides got a better scenario as the end result."We really felt like, at this time, this is probably the best thing for us and for Jeff," Campbell said. "A new change of scenery and give him a fresh start. We felt really good about our guys. And, look, man, I appreciate Jeff. Jeff was a pro, he came to work, he busted his a s. Man, he worked at it and he was coming off an injury last year Claude Giroux Women Jersey and we just felt like, 'You know what, this is the right thing to do right now.'" Okudah tore his Achilles after just one game in the 2021 season and while he started off Christian Folin Kids Jersey the 2022 season strong there were some clear struggles as the year progre sed. An elbow injury caused him to mi s Week 18.The Lions ended the 2022 season in impre sive fashion, winning eight of their last 10 games to finish 9-8 and bumping the out of the playoffs with the regular-season finale victory.Detroit has been adamant that it is a team to watch and Bernie Parent Men Jersey a team to fear. They're not "the (bleeping) same old Lions anymore" as said last season and their aggre sivene s during free agency has proved that they have the urgency to win now. The Lions last made the playoffs in 2016 and have not won a playoff game since 1991. These changes give them a better chance of ending their postseason drought. , the Lions currently have the eighth best odds to win the at +2500. Caesars Sportsbook has them as Michal Neuvirth Women Jersey the best odds to win the NFC North (+155), -130 on winning over 9.5 games and -170 to make the playoffs. |
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