DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 23: Nevin Lawson #24 of the Detroit Lions and Romeo Okwara #95 of the Detroit Lions celebrate a sack in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Since when did Detroit and Cleveland become part of the free agency tour? I’m about to touch on a subject that I didn’t think was plausible nine months ago. I’m about to touch on the very real possibility that the Detroit Lions are quietly becoming a destination in the NFL.

Before you think I’m just drunk writing on a Friday night — hear me out — just this past offseason the Detroit Lions signed arguably the top overall defensive free agent in Trey Flowers, the best free-agent corner and one of the best overall slot corners in the NFL in Justin Coleman, the best free-agent tight end in Jesse James and just now the best free agent DT in Mike Daniels. The L.A. Lakers or New York Knicks couldn’t pull an offseason haul like this these days.

Mike Daniels now becomes a free agent; preference would be to sign with Super-Bowl contender. https://t.co/IGyLj7kZ77 — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2019

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported in a tweet pictured above that Mike Daniels wanted to sign with a super bowl contender. This shut down most of the local Detroit hope that our former divisional foe would sign with the reigning basement dweller in the NFC North. But maybe we really are Lionized here locally, which if true, would make sense why we would be the last to realize our ascension into ‘the destined’ in the NFL.

Mike Daniels was signed by the Detroit Lions just two days after Green Bay released him due to the Packers being under a defensive overhaul, his 10.7/M cap hit and maybe a bit irresponsible with their assets. Thank you cheese heads, he’s a nice cherry on top our free-agent acquisition list this offseason, let’s hope he sees Rodgers again soon. Daniels was one of the best defensive interior linemen in the NFL and a pro bowler in 2017 before a foot injury shortened his 2018 season to 10 games. According to a Tweet by Ian Rapoport;

The #Lions gave DL Mike Daniels a 1-year deal worth $9.1M with $7.8M guaranteed… and of the 13 teams who called, four other teams were willing to do that deal or better. But the former #Packers star wanted to play for coach Matt Patricia… and stay in the division. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2019

Not a bad deal for the 30-year old Daniels, but with thirteen teams interested and four willing to match or better the Lions offer, his choice to come to Detroit says a lot about the perception of the Detroit Lions organization, or at the very least Matt Patricia and his influence. It seems as if the word on the defensive improvement throughout last season, the talent and the desire to win type of culture-building here in Detroit is getting around ears in NFL circles, bringing intrigue to Detroit similar to Cleveland and their recent surge in popularity among NFL players.

Also this offseason, on the offensive side of the ball the Lions were able to attract Danny Amendola, a timely signing to fill their need at slot wide receiver. What he told reporters in a video the Lions posted to YouTube after day one of training camp gives a little insight on why he chose Detroit;

“He’s [Patricia] tough man, he demands a lot, he expects a lot, he has high expectations. So, I knew that coming here and that’s why I wanted to come here. He’s a great coach, that’s why I’m here”

After Matt Patricia’s tumultuous start to his rookie season as head coach with reports that he’s lost the team, and the players won’t play for him, it’s been a 180 degree spin a year later with him seemingly leading the way in attracting the best available defensive FA’s at their position, like he’s the pro’s version of Nick Saban or something.

Hard to say whether this is a sign of things to come or a coincidence that a lot of the top defensive FA’s this year just happened to be former players of Patricia that he just had good relationships with. But for this season, we’ll take it, because unlike the NBA, in the NFL what makes you a destination more than anything is winning and a chance for a championship.

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Weird to fathom that NFL players think of Detroit as a place where they can have success, a type of weird striving at for a long, long time.