New Headline: "Millionaire Swap: Detroit Lions Pay $50 Million for DJ Wonnum, A Criticized $1. 8 Billion Deal
The Detroit Lions are signing former Panthers EDGE DJ Wonnum. What do fans and media think of the move?
News broke on Tuesday night that the Detroit Lions were signing former Panthers defensive end DJ Wonnum . Per reports, it's a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. Wonnum's arrival brings some much-needed pass rushing help opposite All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson.
While Wonnum recorded just four tackles for loss and three sacks last season in 16 games played, the 6-foot-5, 258-pound defensive end has a pair of eight-sack seasons in his career with the Vikings during the 2021 and 2023 seasons. A quad injury slowed Wonnum in his first season with the Panthers in 2024, keeping him off the field until midway through the season. Time will tell if Wonnum is the big move up front opposite Hutchinson or if it's the first of multiple moves for the Lions to address its pass rush and edge.
But, fans and media had lots of opinions and reactions on Tuesday night as the Lions addressed one of their key needs: Lions fans, media reaction to DJ Wonnum signing Not a bad roll of the dice for the Lions. I don’t think it changes anything in their draft process. Will dive into the tape in the coming days.
#OnePride https://t. co/61rGbEvTaC — Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) March 18, 2026 Good depth — Lukas Klotz 🤝 (@1ukasklotz) March 17, 2026 I’ll take DJ Wonnum! Let’s go https://t.