Dan Campbell lays out vision for DJ Wonnum, Levi Onwuzurike in Lions D

PHOENIX – Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell laid out his vision for two pass rushers the team is counting on to play significant snaps at the defensive end position this fall. DJ Wonnum signed a one-year, $3 million deal in free agency and could see significant time opposite Aidan Hutchinson, while Levi Onwuzurike's contract tolled after he missed last season with a torn ACL. The Lions still could – and likely will – add a pass rusher in the draft, but Payton Turner, Tyler Lacy and Ahmed Hassanein are the only other EDGEs currently under contract.

MONEY TALKS: Detroit Lions forced Frank Ragnow to repay bonus; Rod Wood explains why Here's what Campbell had to say about how he envisions using Wonnum and Onwuzurike in 2026. DJ Wonnum Wonnum started 15 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2026 and has topped 50% of defensive snaps in all six of his NFL seasons. He played 352 pass rush snaps last year and was used more heavily as a rusher early in his career with the Minnesota Vikings.

"He's really like a rush end," Campbell said. "He’s a D-end, so he’s the guy you put opposite of Hutch in a true four-down [alignment]. If he’s playing in base defense, it may be to spell Hutch for a play or two, he takes that role on.

So he’s more of that. He’s not like the big end in base that gets over a tackle with [Derrick] Barnes outside of him. That’s not fair to ask him to do all that.