Detroit Lions Urged to Bring Back Old Friend to Bolster Defense

{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/detroit-lions-urged-bring-back-120904757.html","headline":"Detroit Lions Urged to Bring Back Old Friend to Bolster Defense","datePublished":"2026-04-28T12:09:04.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-28T12:09:04.000Z","keywords":["Detroit Lions","Jahlani Tavai","New England Patriots","Mike Payton","New England"],"description":"The Detroit Lions could reunite with former linebacker Jahlani Tavai to strengthen their defense in 2026.","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Yahoo Sports","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/icons/favicon_y112_112.png","width":112,"height":112},"url":"https://sports.yahoo.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jeff Bilbrey","url":"","jobTitle":""},"creator":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jeff Bilbrey","url":"","jobTitle":""},"provider":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Detroit Sports Nation","url":"https://detroitsportsnation.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":290,"height":100,"url":"https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-01/b9632ca0-f7ae-11f0-9d3e-63f5097d0a96"}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4z4MSkD5mAR76..542xXWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIwMzQ7aD0xMzUwO2NmPXdlYnA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/detroit_sports_nation_articles_492/1f601b1afeec7395c5965881546f860f","height":675,"width":1017},"thumbnailUrl":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4z4MSkD5mAR76..542xXWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIwMzQ7aD0xMzUwO2NmPXdlYnA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/detroit_sports_nation_articles_492/1f601b1afeec7395c5965881546f860f"}Story byDetroit Lions Urged to Bring Back Old Friend to Bolster DefenseJeff BilbreyTue, April 28, 2026 at 12:09 PM UTC·2 min readThe idea of a reunion is starting to pick up steam.According to Mike Payton of A to Z Sports, the Detroit Lions should consider bringing back former second-round pick Jahlani Tavai to help strengthen their linebacker unit heading into the 2026 season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_c3iudcaanpfiv65bH1_ { display: none; } @media screen and (max-width: 767.95px) { #_R_c3iudcaanpfiv65bH1_ { display: flex; } iframe { max-width: 100vw; } }And when you look at the numbers, it’s not a crazy idea.Anthony Lucas Detroit Lions Jahlani Tavai Detroit Lions returnA different player than the one Detroit draftedTavai’s first stint in Detroit didn’t live up to expectations after he was selected in the second round back in 2019.But since leaving, he’s quietly turned himself into a productive NFL linebacker with the New England Patriots.Over his seven-year career, Tavai has totaled:466 total tackles (256 solo)25 tackles for loss5.5 sacks14 passes defended4 interceptions6 forced fumblesThat’s not elite production, but it’s solid, consistent, and valuable.Proven production in New EnglandTavai really found his footing in New England, where he became a regular contributor.From 2021–2025 with the Patriots, he recorded:AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_cfiudcaanpfiv65bH1_ { display: none; } @media screen and (max-width: 767.95px) { #_R_cfiudcaanpfiv65bH1_ { display: flex; } iframe { max-width: 100vw; } }350 total tackles18 tackles for loss3.5 sacksHis best season came in 2023, when he posted:110 tackles5 tackles for loss2 interceptions5 passes defendedThat’s the version of Tavai the Lions would be getting—not the young, inconsistent player from his first stint.A potential short-term…

This excerpt is published under fair use for community discussion. Read the full article at Yahoo Sports.