The Detroit Lions had to make a potential restricted free agency decision on defensive end Romeo Okwara. On Friday, the team bypassed all of that, signing him to a new two-year deal instead.
Okwara, 23, was a massive find for Detroit during the season after being claimed off waivers following being released by the Giants during the cutdown churn last September. He started 14 games for the Lions last season and led the franchise with 7.5 sacks.
It was a breakout year for Okwara, who played his college football at Notre Dame. After starting four games over two seasons with the Giants, he had a career year with 14 quarterback hits to go with the 7.