Detroit Lions sign two veteran defenders

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Jay Tufele #78 of the New York Jets looks on during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images The 2026 NFL Draft may be done, but the Detroit Lions are still working to fill out their roster. On Wednesday, the team announced that they have signed defensive tackle Jay Tufele and linebacker Joe Bachie.

Tufele—6-foot-3, 305 pounds—was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He only spent a single year with the Jaguars, his drafted team, before playing the next three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Last year, he was on Aaron Glenn’s defense for the New York Jets.

In total, he’s played 46 games, started seven, and tallied 56 tackles, 0. 5 sacks, and three tackles for loss. The Lions certainly have a need at defensive tackle after losing Roy Lopez in free agency, and with DJ Reader still unsigned.

While Tufele isn’t a pure nose tackle, he does bring some size and strength to the position. As for Bachie, the former Michigan State Spartan has been in the league since 2020. He has played for the Eagles, Bengals, and split time with the Colts and Titans last year.