Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed unrestricted free agent EDGE D.J. Wonnum. Contract terms were not disclosed.
Entering his seventh NFL season, Wonnum comes to Detroit after spending two seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2024-25) and four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2020-23).
In 86-career games (54 starts), he has recorded 244 tackles (137 solo), 59 quarterback hits, 32 tackles for loss, 30.0 sacks, 15 pass defenses, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Wonnum originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round selection (117th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Vikings out of South Carolina.
View photos of newly-signed Detroit Lions edge rusher D.J. Wonnum.
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum celebrates after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) lines up on defense against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) lines up during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) defends during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) sets up for a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 44-38. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) on defense during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) lines up on defense during an NFL Football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 30-27. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
