Lions centre-back sends four-word message to critics who doubt his skills

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson wants to make one thing clear: He’s coming to the Motor City for a starting job, not a backup role.

The veteran cornerback signed with the Lions this offseason after spending the first four years of his career with the Las Vegas Raiders, earning a starting role in his final season. While many pundits have pegged Robertson as a backup with the Lions, Robertson sent a strong message to his critics.

“Stop playing games with me,” he said in a message posted on X.

The Lions signed him to a modest two-year, $9.25 million contract with $1.5 million guaranteed, SI.com’s John Maakaron noted. He joins a revamped secondary that includes the team’s top two picks in this year’s draft, cornerbacks Terrion Arnold (No. 24 overall) and Ennis Rakestraw (No. 61).

Veteran Robertson made it clear that despite the stiff competition, he expected to land one of the team’s starting jobs.

“Dude, you need to bury that depth player,” Robertson wrote in his full message. “Lol. Stop playing with me… you’ll see. Keep the same energy.”

Robertson has already received praise from head coach Dan Campbell, who noted the same competitive spirit the 25-year-old has shown to his critics on social media.

“The first thing was his competitive spirit,” Campbell said, via SI.com. “You just said it, I don’t care if he’s inside or outside, this guy is competitive. He’s a feisty, competitive, demanding cornerback who has the versatility to play inside and outside. That’s what we’re always going to like.”

Campbell also noted Robertson’s flexibility and aggressiveness, two traits highly valued by the Lions and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Robertson recorded 2 interceptions in each of his final two seasons in Las Vegas, adding 88 total tackles and 15 pass defenses. He was a staple in the Raiders’ defensive secondary in 2023, making 12 starts.

Recruits should progress

Robertson will likely have a tough time winning a starting job. In addition to signing Arnold and Rakestraw, the team also acquired veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III and re-signed Emmanuel Moseley, who played just one game for the Lions last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Management appears to have a lot of confidence in Rakestraw, who received praise from assistant general manager Ray Agnew just before the team’s rookie minicamp.