Former Vikings Pass Rusher Auditions for Lions

In the last week, the Detroit Lions have signed former Minnesota Vikings players Teddy Bridgewater and Tyler Conklin — and they made it a trifecta on Tuesday evening by signing defensive end D.J. Wonnum.

Detroit kept mining former Vikings for roster help.

Wonnum spent the last two seasons in Carolina, and now he’s in line to grab some serious playing time in Detroit.

Where D.J. Wonnum Fits in the Lions’ Teensy EDGE Rotation

The Lions’ EDGE depth is skinny.

Wonnum to DET

It’s back to the NFC North for Wonnum. ESPN’s David Newton wrote Tuesday, “Free agent defensive end D.J. Wonnum is signing a one-year deal worth up to $6 million with the Detroit Lions, his agents told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Wonnum heads to Detroit after a two-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. He didn’t get on the field with Carolina until midway through the 2024 season due to a quad injury he suffered with the Minnesota Vikings and was limited to four sacks.”

“He had only three sacks this past season despite starting 15 games for the Panthers. Wonnum’s overall lack of production for a team that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in sacks and quarterback pressures made him expendable in Carolina, particularly since the Panthers would have to pay him $825,000 in dead money on top of a new deal.”

Wonnum created a few notable memories in Minnesota, notably a game-ending sack on Aaron Rodgers during his rookie season when the Vikings took down the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

The Lions’ DEs Right Now

If you happen to be a Lions enthusiast reading this article — unlikely — shield your eyes.

Per the current depth chart, Wonnum would actually be on tap to start in 2026 if the regular season began tonight. Here’s a look at the defensive end depth:

• Aidan Hutchinson
• D.J. Wonnum
• Ahmed Hassanein
• Tyler Lacy

For a team that will claim Super Bowl aspirations, that just isn’t enough EDGE help. General manager Brad Holmes may be forced to select a pass rusher in Round 1 — and maybe multiple throughout the draft.

Pride of Detroit‘s Eric Schlitt on the Wonnum transaction: “While not a flashy signing, Wonnum has plenty of starting experience and can function as a rotational piece on the edge for the Lions in 2026. He’ll likely need to be paired with another veteran free agency pass rusher or a rookie from the 2026 NFL. Draft.”

“At 6-foot-5, 258 pounds, Wonnum has shown the range to line up with his hand in the dirt or standing up on the edge, while also pushing inside on pass-rushing downs. He has a solid, long frame and possesses a variety of pass-rushing moves in his tool bag.”

Wonnum’s Bio

The Vikings drafted Wonnum in the 4th Round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He initially served as a situational pass rusher, most notably disrupting the Chicago Bears while struggling against other teams — a point of humor within the division and among Vikings fans. However, Wonnum has since evolved into a more quasi-consistent threat, applying pressure to quarterbacks on a weekly basis.

Over his 86-game career, with 54 starts, Wonnum has recorded 30 sacks. He also scored a crucial touchdown against Carolina in October 2023, shifting the game’s momentum and helping to keep Minnesota’s season alive.

Last season with the Panthers, Wonnum played in 16 games, recording 42 tackles, 3 sacks, 29 pressures, one quarterback hit, and an interception. Starting in 15 of those games, his statistics are more typical of a rotational EDGE rusher than a full-time starter.

The 2025 season confirmed what Vikings fans had long suspected: Wonnum thrives as a depth EDGE rusher, providing energy and pressure in specific situations without the demands of a full-time starting role.

Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume through six seasons:

• 2025: 56.7
• 2024: 55.0
• 2023: 62.3
• 2022: 57.7
• 2021: 50.5
• 2020: 51.1

All the Lions’ Free Agency Moves

Detroit has been busier in free agency than Minnesota, but generally speaking, that hasn’t been hard. Here’s a look at their newcomer signings and extensions:

• Cade Mays (C) CAR → DET
• Christian Izien (S) TB → DET
• D.J. Wonnum (DE) CAR → DET
• Isiah Pacheco (RB) KC → DET
• Larry Borom (RT) CHI → DET
• Malcolm Rodríguez (LB) DET → DET
• Rock Ya-Sin (CB) BAL → DET
• Roger McCreary (CB) TEN → DET
• Teddy Bridgewater (QB) TB → DET
• Tom Kennedy (WR) DET → DET
• Trevor Nowaske (LB) DET → DET
• Tyler Conklin (TE) LAC → DET

And the players who left:

• Alex Anzalone (LB) DET → TB
• Amik Robertson (CB) DET → WAS
• Grant Stuard (LB) DET → LAR
• Kalif Raymond (WR) DET → CHI
• Kyle Allen (QB) DET → BUF
• Roy Lopez (DL) DET → ARI
• Tyrus Wheat (ED) DET → DAL
• Al-Quadin Muhammad (ED) DET → TB

Wonnum will likely settle in as Detroit’s DE3 or DE4 when the roster is finalized later this summer.

He’ll turn 29 on Halloween.