Check out which former-Lions will be part of the 2025 UFL Championship Game.
The UFL will play its second championship game on Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET. The game will feature the local Michigan Panthers team as they take on the DC Defenders. For many, the Panthers’ inclusion in the championship game may be enough for Detroit Lions fans to tune in. However, if you need a little more push to watch, there are a handful of former Lions players who will be featured.
DC Defenders QB Jordan Ta’amu
What he did with the Lions:
Ta’amu had two very brief stints with the Lions. Back in 2020, he was added to the practice squad in December, just weeks after the Lions cleaned house with Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn.
He was signed again the following year under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes in the middle of training camp after an injury to Tim Boyle, but he was released just six days later when Boyle turned out to be okay. Ta’amu never even appeared in a preseason game for Detroit.
What he’s doing in the UFL:
Ta’amu has actually gone on to have a pretty solid career in the minor leagues. In 2022, he was the USFL leader in both passing yards and passing touchdowns while with the Tampa Bay Bandits. He was the XFL Offensive Player of the Year the following year with the DC Defenders. And this year—back with the Defenders—he led the UFL in passing touchdowns.
This year, his stats are pretty solid:
9 games: 155-of-285, 2,153 yards, 17 touchdowns, 4 INTs, 92.9 passer rating; 41 carries, 178 yards, 2 TDs
DC Defenders OT Jarrid Williams
What he did with the Lions:
Williams was signed to the Lions’ practice squad with two games remaining in the 2022 season. He did not make a game appearance and ended up signing a futures deal with the Eagles.
What he’s doing in the UFL:
Williams made a few game appearances last year for the DC Defenders—posting a 74.1 PFF grade (yes, there are UFL PFF grades) on 143 snaps, all at right tackle. This year he has only played nine snaps at right tackle.
DC Defenders K Matt McCrane
What he did with the Lions:
Of all three players, McCrane is the most recent to have played for the Lions. After spending two seasons with the DC Defenders, McCrane signed to Detroit’s practice squad in September of 2024 to back up starter Jake Bates. After two months, however, the Lions cut McCrane, opting instead to keep Greg Joseph as their practice squad kicker.
McCrane is now in his third season with the Defenders, dating back to their XFL season in 2023. Over that time, McCrane is 42-of-56 on field goals. This season has been his worst to date, making just 14-of-20 field goals, but he was excellent in 2024. He made 16-of-20 that year, including 5-of-7 from 50+ yards and a long of 58. This year, he is just 5-of-10 from 40 yards or longer.
Michigan Panthers general manager Steve Kazor
What he did with the Lions:
Kazor was a coach for the Lions from 1994-96. He started as the special teams coach, moved to tight ends, and then was the tight ends/assistant offensive line coach in 1996—Wayne Fontes’ final year.
After being a scout for the Rams for 16 years (Brad Holmes connection!), Kazor became the Panthers GM in 2023.
Michigan Panther defensive backs coach Brock Marion
What he did with the Lions:
Marion spent the last year of his 12-year NFL career as a starting safety for the Lions in 2004. The three-time Pro Bowler had a solid season, starting all 16 games, producing 88 tackles, three interceptions, and eight passes defended. However, Detroit opted to cut him the following season, and he promptly retired.
What he’s doing in the UFL:
Obviously, he’s coaching the defensive backs, as he has done for the past two years.
If you want to catch the Panthers or any of these former Lions, the UFL Championship will air live on ABC on Saturday, June 14 at 8 p.m. ET.
Michigan Panthers offensive lineman Jake Burton
What he did with the Lions:
After one season with the Michigan Panthers as the starting left guard, the Lions added him near the start of 2024 training camp. Ultimately, he did not make the team, but he did play in all three preseason games and netted a 73.7 PFF grade.
What he’s doing in the UFL:
This is Burton fourth season in the non-NFL professional leagues. He spent two years with the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL, and this is his second season with the Panthers. Throughout those four years, Burton has played at every offensive line position but center. He’s predominantly been a left or right guard, but played a significant amount of right tackle (284 snaps) back in 2023.
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