Kalif Raymond

At 31.5 years old, Raymond will be 32 when the 2026 season begins, placing him firmly in the decline phase for NFL wide receivers with limited remaining productive years ahead.

Raymond is an unrestricted free agent entering the 2026 offseason, with March 9, 2026 marking the start of free agency tampering. He may not return to Detroit.

In Week 17, the Lions played Raymond for only six offensive snaps, and Isaac TeSlaa clearly started to eat into Raymond's role on offense.

Raymond's contract expired after the 2025 season and he is entering free agency on March 11, 2026. Multiple reports suggest the Lions are unlikely to bring him back, with the team having already drafted his replacement in Dominic Lovett in the 2025 seventh round.

Raymond began 2025 as the WR3 but was surpassed by rookie Isaac TeSlaa on the depth chart. In Week 17, he played only six offensive snaps, clearly signaling a diminished role moving forward.

Raymond left DET in free agency and signed with Chicago on a 1-year $3.5M deal. DJ Moore is the Bears' clear WR1 around Caleb Williams, leaving Raymond in the same depth/ST role he held in Detroit — new address, same low target ceiling.

Raymond signed with Chicago explicitly to reunite with head coach Ben Johnson, his former Lions OC. Johnson knows exactly how to deploy him as a slot/gadget piece, giving Raymond the best possible shot at a defined roster role and guaranteed snaps.

Chicago traded DJ Moore, opening a WR3 role Raymond was signed to fill; if Odunze or Burden falter or get injured, his snap and target share could climb meaningfully.

Raymond could potentially sign a one-year veteran minimum deal with a contending team needing an experienced slot receiver and return specialist, though this would offer minimal fantasy relevance.

Raymond is a quality punt returner and reliable ST ace, which insulates him from roster cuts even when offensive usage dips. Detroit even drafted Kendrick Law partly for return duties after losing Raymond — a tacit acknowledgment of his ST value.

Jared Goff took to the air 54 times, and Raymond took advantage by earning a season-high five targets in a game with heavy passing volume, offering potential floor in PPR when opportunities arise.

Plays with ascending QB Caleb Williams in a Ben Johnson offense, providing better surrounding talent and volume potential than his late-Detroit role.