The Detroit Lions are signing a safety with 15 games of starting experience.
Defensive back Christian Izien is set to join the Lions on a one-year deal, a league source told The Detroit News. He is the first outside defender to sign with the Lions in free agency.
Izien, 25, was undrafted out of Rutgers in 2023 but made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ initial 53-man roster later that year. He appeared in all 17 games during his rookie season with four starts.
Izien started 10 games in 2024, playing 75% of defensive snaps before taking on a reserve role in 2025, when he primarily featured on special teams.
Where does Christien Izien fit with Lions?
Izien (5-foot-10, 197 pounds) brings a ton of versatility to a secondary that has uncertainty at safety, nickel corner and outside corner.
He could certainly compete for the starting nickel cornerback job after Amik Robertson left in free agency to join the Washington Commanders. He played 657 snaps at nickel in his rookie season before moving to free safety, where he mostly played during the 2024 season.
Izien also provides some insurance for a safety room, which has a ton of unknowns regarding injury situations involving Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.
What are Christian Izien’s stats?
Over his three-year career, Izien has five pass breakups and three interceptions, all of which came in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. One of his interceptions came off his new teammate, Lions quarterback Jared Goff, in a 20-16 Buccaneers victory at Ford Field in Week 2, 2024.
Izien has been a willing tackler throughout his career, making 165 combined tackles over his three NFL seasons.
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