Detroit Lions re-signing another special teams linebacker
The Detroit Lions are bringing back special teams linebacker Ezekiel Turner, who joined the team in the middle of the 2024 season.
The Detroit Lions spent their Friday solidifying their linebacking corps, apparently. After agreeing to a three-year deal with Derrick Barnes and a one-year deal with Anthony Pittman, the Lions are bringing back Ezekiel Turner on a one-year deal, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
Turner was added in the middle of the Lions’ 2024 season, prior to all of Detroit’s injuries at the linebacker position. Primarily, Turner was a special teamer, where he has made a living for the past seven seasons. When the Lions acquired Turner in early November, Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp raved at his reputation on that side of the ball.
“He’s super smart and intelligent, I got a lot of confidence and faith and trust in him already in a very short period of time,” Fipp said. “The special teams coach from Arizona sent me a text message and said, ‘I don’t know if I trust another guy more than I trust him.’ And that’s a guy I respect quite a bit. So, anyway, yeah, we feel good about him.”
Turner went on to play 176 special teams snaps for the Lions in nine game appearance. The Lions also had to rely on Turner on the defensive side of the ball, and while he struggled at times, he did come up with one of the biggest plays of the season—chasing down Packers quarterback Jordan Love to force a field goal attempt late in the game. Detroit would win on the ensuing possession.
What’s interesting about Turner’s return is that Lions coaches compared his skillset to that of Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who the Lions are reportedly releasing—although that has not been made official.
Now the Lions have eight linebackers under contact for the 2025 season: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Anthony PIttman, Ezekiel Turner, Abraham Beauplan, and DaRon Gilbert.
