2024 Detroit Lions free agency profile: Why the Lions must let Halapoulivaati Vaitai go.
We’re back with our Detroit Lions free agency profile series for the 2023-2024 season. This time, I’m here to talk offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Vaitai joined the Lions in 2020, signing a five-year contract worth $45 million. With Vaitai’s history of ailments over the last few seasons, Detroit may need to look elsewhere for offensive line depth.
Let’s dig deeper into the case for letting Vaitai go.
Vaitai missed the whole 2022 season due to a back injury sustained against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason finale. Last summer, the Lions adjusted Vaitai’s contract, voiding the fifth year, requiring him to accept a pay reduction, and converting some of his compensation into a signing bonus. After suffering a back ailment in 2022, Vaitai contemplated retirement from the game.
“I took that time to spend with my children and family, just to experience what retirement might be like. But, at the same time, I have a chip on my shoulder, so I’m going to come back strong,” Vaitai stated in May 2023.
Vaitai was anticipated to remain a starting at right guard.
During training camp, Vaitai challenged with offensive lineman Graham Glasgow for the right guard position. Glasgow would play centre while Frank Ragnow rested, giving Vaitai extra snaps at right guard. Vaitai eventually won the starting spot from Glasgow, and he started in Week 1.
Vaitai played two games before suffering a foot ailment that forced him to miss the next two games. Vaitai returned in Week 5 and played on special teams until he made another start in Week 7. Following that game, Vaitai was out again with a back ailment, rendering him questionable for Week 8. He’d play on special teams again, but that’d be it for the season. He didn’t play Week 9 and was ruled out for Week 10, so the Lions
Playing ability is one of the most crucial aspects of any sport. Vaitai hasn’t been able to achieve that since he arrived in Detroit. He appeared in 10 games in 2020, 15 in 2021, 0 in 2022, and 6 in 2023. Despite being signed to a five-year contract, he has only played two seasons.
Vaitai has likewise not performed as well in Detroit as he did with the Philadelphia Eagles. Vaitai received a 72.8 PFF score, a 75.5 run blocking grade, and a 62.1 pass blocking grade during his final season with the Eagles. His finest year in Detroit was technically 2023, but with only three starts, it wasn’t very impressive. Nevertheless, his 2021 season was decent.
Vaitai has not spoken to the media since being on IR, and there have been no rumours or negotiations indicating that he may return to Detroit in 2024. If Vaitai was thinking about retiring in 2022, I’m guessing he’ll think about it again this offseason, especially because the injury that took him out in 2022 is the same one.
At some point, you have to prioritise your health, and if Vaitai is unable to continue, it is best for him to retire, spend time with his family, and pursue other opportunities.
What do you believe the Lions should do with Halapoulivaati Vaitai?