The Detroit Lions appeared to be preparing to part ways with longtime wide receiver Tom Kennedy when they chose not to tender him a contract offer, but they found a way to bring him back just a day later.
Kennedy has been a longstanding member of the team’s practice squad and stepped into an important role last season after the team was hit with injuries. This week’s signing gives him the chance to once again compete for a roster spot.
Tom Kennedy Comes Back to Detroit
As Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press noted, it seemed assured that the Lions would bring back Kennedy, despite the team’s decision not to tender an offer as a restricted free agent.
“Tom Kennedy is back, not that there was ever any doubt heâd leave,” Birkett wrote. “Kennedy, the Detroit Lionsâ longest-tenured player, has agreed to a new contract that will bring him back for an eighth season with the team.”
As Birkett noted, Kennedy is the team’s longest-tenured player and the last remaining connection to the regime before Dan Campbell took over as head coach.
Tom Kennedy’s Versatility a Plus for Lions
Kennedy has become a popular player for his strong preseason play and willingness to fill in wherever he was needed.
âWhatever they ask me to do, Iâll do it,” Kennedy said during the team’s training camp in 2021. “Offense, special teams. They tell me to go play defense Iâll do that, I donât care. Just trying to help the team any way, really. Wherever I am offense, special teams, just doing my job. They throw you the ball, catch it, make a play. Like I said, just doing your job and doing it well.”
Kennedy filled in as the team’s return specialist last season, earning a game ball during the team’s win over the Dallas Cowboys.
âI canât tell you how ecstatic I am for Tom Kennedy,â said special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, via SB Nationâs Pride of Detroit. âI mean thereâs nobody who deserves the attention and the recognition more than him in this building. I mean a guy whoâs just worked his tail off every single day the whole time heâs been here. Never ever complained about the reps heâs getting, the opportunity heâs getting. Whether he knows he can do something better than maybe some other guy whoâs getting his shot before him. And then for him to get the opportunity and then go out there and make the most of it, youâve got to give him a lot of credit.â
Kennedy has a unique path to the NFL. He was a two-sport star at Bryant University, but chose to start his career as a professional lacrosse player before signing with the Lions as an undrafted free agent.
Kennedy could have the chance to compete for a larger role in the coming season, especially after receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond left in free agency. Raymond led the NFL in punt return yards in 2025 with 413, but signed a one-year contract with the rival Chicago Bears.
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