ORLANDO – Two of the first key signings by the Detroit Lions in free agency were veteran linebackers Devon Kennard and Christian Jones. The team’s most recent free agent acquisition was another veteran linebacker in Jonathan Freeny, who signed Monday afternoon.
The linebacker position was an area on defense Lions general manager Bob Quinn targeted early in free agency, and continues to look for upgrades and depth, for a very specific reason.
“Big picture with the linebackers, going from a scheme change from Teryl Austin’s scheme to now coach (Matt) Patricia’s scheme, we were looking for bigger guys at the linebacker position,” Quinn said Monday at the annual league meetings.