The Detroit Lions have been one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL over the past five years. While names such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, Jared Goff, and Sam LaPorta get most of the acclaim, there are other members of the offense who have been key contributors as well. Detroit already lost one of those underappreciated players, David Montgomery, earlier this offseason, and now just lost another.
Kalif Raymond Leaves Detroit Lions for Chicago Bears in Free Agency
Kalif Raymond has left the Lions to reunite with former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on the Bears in free agency. Raymond served as a reserve wide receiver and return specialist during his five years with the Lions.
The 31-year-old has seen his role on the Lions offense decline over the past two seasons, and the emergence of rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa only further reduced it. In five seasons with Detroit, Raymond caught 171 passes for 2,185 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Raymond was beloved in the Detroit locker room and formed a close bond with St. Brown during their time as teammates.
“Greatest teammate I’ve ever had,” St. Brown said of Raymond on social media. “Lockermate since rookie year, love you brother.”
Greatest teammate I’ve ever had. Lockermate since rookie year 😔 love you brother https://t.co/8Nuk6Wqvbp
— Amon-Ra (@amonra_stbrown) March 10, 2026
Raymond ranked as the No. 45 wide receiver in PFSN’s WR Impact Metric (WRi), serving as a gadget piece in the Lions offense. However, as a returner, he was the most dangerous.
The nine-year pro led the NFL in punt return yards in 2024 and was named second-team All-Pro in 2022 and 2024 as a punt returner. In five years with the Lions, Raymond set the franchise record with 1,485 career punt return yards and returned 3 punts for touchdowns.
Raymond Joins Loaded Chicago Bears Offense
The jack-of-all-trades reunites with his former offensive coordinator and joins an arsenal that includes Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, Colston Loveland, D’Andre Swift, and Kyle Monangai for Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams.
Chicago ranked as the No. 10 offense in PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric (OFFi) in 2025 and will look to improve upon that in year two under Johnson. While much of the offensive personnel will be the same, the team will be without D.J. Moore and Drew Dalman.
Chicago won the NFC North in 2025 and will look to defend their division crown in 2026. They will be a team to watch as the offseason progresses, while Detroit will look to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season and return to the postseason.
