Lions CB Amik Robertson: 'Window's not closed' to return as free agent

Before he cleaned out his locker and left the building for maybe one final time Monday, Jan. 5, Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson had “a heart-to-heart conversation” with general manager Brad Holmes.

Robertson has been around the NFL long enough to know he won’t be the Lions’ first priority to re-sign this offseason.

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The Lions have four defensive starters ticketed for free agency, two starting offensive linemen considering retirement and a handful of young players eligible for contract extensions for the first time.

But after leaving Holmes’ office, Robertson said he was optimistic about his chances to return to Detroit when his contract expires in March.

“I know how Brad feels about me, Brad knows how I feel about him and this organization and my teammates,” Robertson told the Free Press. “We had a long conversation but it was basically – moral of the story is just know the window’s not closed.”

Robertson has been one of the Lions’ healthiest and most versatile defensive backs since signing a two-year free-agent deal with the team in 2024.

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He played in 17 games as the team’s primary nickel cornerback last season, moved outside when Carlton Davis III broke his jaw late in the year and covered some of the opposing teams’ best receivers until he broke his forearm early in the Lions’ playoff loss to the Washington Commanders.

This year, Robertson again played all 17 games and saw time at both slot and outside cornerback. He was limited mostly to slot duties the past few weeks after he broke his hand trying to punch loose a fumble in a December loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Robertson allowed a career-high eight touchdowns this season on 102 targets, but he forced six turnovers in his two seasons with the Lions – five fumbles and an interception – and he played more snaps than every Lions defensive player but Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone and Brian Branch the past two years.

“I think sometimes people don’t realize like all the hats I had to wear,” Robertson told the Free Press last month. “But sometimes, you have to, ‘Why not me?’ I can take it on, I know how to handle the ups and I know how to handle the downs.”

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The Lions have five cornerbacks currently under contract for 2026: Presumptive starters D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold; gunner Khalil Dorsey; Ennis Rakestraw Jr., a second-round draft pick in 2024 who missed this season with a shoulder injury; and Nick Whiteside, who signed his exclusive rights free-agent deal this week.

Rock Ya-Sin, who played well in a starting role down the stretch and has position flexibility at safety, also will be a free agent in March.

Robertson said he’s not sure what his priorities will be in free agency. He wants to play for a winner at this stage of his career. He said he’s never been motivated by money. He still believes the Lions are on the right track.

And if it doesn’t work out in Detroit, he said he’ll always hold the organization in high regard for the opportunity it gave him to succeed.

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“I’ve always knew [how much I’m appreciated here] but I also understand and know how it goes,” he said. “Like I said, I want to come back here. The door is not closed, but if not, I’m going to take everything I learned here and take it somewhere else and I know I can flourish.”

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions CB Amik Robertson, 'Window's not closed' to return as free agent