Which former Lion is most likely to succeed with their new team?

For some Detroit Lions fans, once a player leaves for another team, they never think about them again. It's understandable. You're only a Lions fan, so the minute a player is no longer a Lion, you are no longer a fan of them. While I don't adhere to this logic, I certainly get it.

Others become fans of individuals on top of being a fan of their team. If a player gives it their all, plays through injury, is a great person off the field, or is just really, really good at football, they can endear themselves to a fanbase forever. No matter where they go, some fans will follow.

This offseason, the Lions lost a lot of players to free agency. Some were beloved, others only had a brief stop in Detroit, and one or two didn't have the most graceful of exits. But we're not here to litigate whether you should be a fan of these former Lions or not. Instead, let's talk about their new situations with their new teams.

Today's Question of the Day is:

Which former Lions player is most likely to succeed on their new team?

My answer: First, you can access a list of all the Lions players lost to free agency with our 2026 Detroit Lions offseason tracker. Just scroll down to the Lions' free agents" section and find the signed elsewhere" subhead.

The names that jump out immediately are the ones who signed the biggest deals:

• Roy Lopez: two years, $10.5 million with the Cardinals
• DJ Reader: two years, $12.5 million with the Giants
• Alex Anzalone: two years, $17 million with the Buccaneers
• Amik Robertson: two years, $15 million with the Commanders

Reader is an interesting one, particularly after this week's news that the Giants have already lost Roy Robertson-Harris for the season with an Achilles tear. While Reader is more of a nose tackle to Robertson-Harris' defensive tackle role, it could shift how the Giants use their interior defenders and increase Reader's role.

While I love the play of Amik Robertson, I am a bit concerned for his future joining a Commanders defense that was downright awful last year. They've made a ton of changes, including a new defensive coordinator, but I'm not optimistic in a one-year turnaround in Washington.

I'm also not particularly optimistic about the Cardinals' defense, and Lopez's future there. Arizona is going through a lot of changes this offseason-quarterback, coach, and a bunch of roster overhaul. Lopez is arguably in a starting role right now, too. That's great for him, but his productivity has always been best as a reserve. With not a ton of surrounding help, it could be a frustrating year for him.

That leaves Anzalone, my actual pick for the question. While he's got tremendously big shoes to fill with the retirement of Lavonte David, there are enough pieces on that defense-particularly up the middle-for Anzalone to hit the ground running in Tampa. Mainly, having Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey up front to help Anzalone play fast and downhill will go a long way in allowing the 31-year-old to continue to play his best football.

Which former Lion do you think will have the best 2026 season with their new team? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.