Cornerback Jerry Jacobs is an unrestricted free agent after the Lions apparently decided not to extend a contract offer to him, so this is hardly a shocking move.
With his tweet on Tuesday, Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs appeared to hint at his impending departure from the team because it’s the trendy thing to do these days.
“You must make a decision that you are going to move on from, it won’t happen automatically you will have to rise up and say I don’t care how hard this is I don’t care how disappointed I am, I’m not going to let this get the best of me I’m moving on with my life (three prayer emojis).”
Although Jacobs was a restricted free agent coming into the offseason, it was simple to believe his days in Detroit were coming to an end. The Lions are not planning to present Jacobs with an offer sheet, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN on Wednesday morning. He is going to be free to sign whatever he wants.
For the Lions in 2021, Jacobs was a fantastic undrafted rookie acquisition. As a rookie, he started nine games until his season was cut short by an ACL tear. He was unquestionably (or maybe unquestionably) the Lions’ finest cornerback for the remainder of that season after making a comeback to the field in October 2022.
However, Jacobs had a difficult season overall in 2023, only momentarily lifted by a two-interception performance in Week 4 against the Packers and another interception the following week against the Panthers. Later in the season, he was benched in favor of Kindle Vildor, and he finished on injured reserve. Jacobs tweeted a “Thank you, Detroit” in advance of the report that he was going on IR.
Jerry Jacobs could be back with the Lions, but it feels unlikely
If the Lions choose not to extend a contract offer to Jacobs, it does not guarantee that he would not return for the upcoming campaign. It is simply not reasonable for the franchise to commit to a restricted free agent tender worth roughly $3 million.
Over the last three seasons, Jacobs has started 29 of his 40 games with the Lions. He has also totaled 23 pass breakups and four interceptions. If nothing else, he might be of interest to several teams as a free agent and depth player. Barring an unexpected move to bring him back on a deal cheaper than the RFA tender, though, his Cinderella story in Detroit has come to an end.
