Detroit Lions to let former starting CB Jerry Jacobs walk, become unrestricted free agent

The Detroit Lions' roster shuffling continued with another move in the secondary ahead of free agency opening up next week.

The Lions will not be tendering a contract to restricted free agent cornerback Jerry Jacobs, slating him to become an unrestricted free agent on March 13, as first reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler Wednesday morning. Later in the day, Jacobs confirmed the news himself with a goodbye message to Detroit on social media, where he thanked Detroit for helping him realize his NFL dream and stick in the league.

The tender offer would have been a one-year deal that allowed the Lions to match any potential contract Jacobs was offered by another team in free agency, but instead, the Lions will look for talent at cornerback elsewhere this offseason. Jacobs was an early win for the current Lions regime, who signed him as an undrafted free agent following the 2021 draft and turned into a starter over the past three seasons in the secondary.

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Jacobs started at least eight games each of his three seasons in Detroit, including starting 12 games during the regular season in 2023 for a Lions team that eventually made a deep playoff run. For his career, Jacobs appeared in 40 games, making 29 starts, and recorded four interceptions and 23 passes defended. Jacobs had his best statistical season in 2023, where he recorded three interceptions, eight passes defended and 49 solo tackles in 15 appearances, while giving up a 63.4% completion percentage (52-of-82) when targeted and 7.8 yards per target, according to Pro Football Reference.

Jacobs, however, lost his starting position to Kindle Vildor, who was elevated from the practice squad mid-season. The two initially split reps at cornerback, before Vildor took over the role himself, relegating Jacobs to a special teams role. Jacobs was then placed on IR for a knee injury before the postseason run, ending his playing time with the Lions.

This is the second move in as many days for the Lions' secondary. Saying goodbye to Jacobs comes on the heels of Detroit re-signing Emmanuel Moseley, who played just two snaps last season before tearing an ACL for the second consecutive year, to another one-year deal as he rehabs from injury. The Lions have also been reported to be active in other cornerback markets, potentially in free agency, or via a trade or next month's draft.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions allow CB Jerry Jacobs to become unrestricted free agent