The Detroit Lions just missed out on landing one of the best cornerbacks available in free agency.
James Bradberry, who agreed to a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the New York Giants last week, said Monday on "The Jim Rome Show" that the Lions were his runner-up team.
"It was either between the Lions and New York and I just feel like New York was the better fit for me," Bradberry said. "I knew (Giants general manager Dave) Gettleman, so I know what type of organization he's trying to build over there and I knew some of the players that were there as well and they had nothing but good things to say about the organization. So I feel like it was the right fit."
Bradberry landed the second-largest deal among free-agent cornerbacks, behind only Byron Jones, who agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Miami Dolphins.
After missing out on Bradberry, a four-year starter with the Carolina Panthers, the Lions agreed to terms with Desmond Trufant to replace Darius Slay as their No. 1 cornerback.
Trufant landed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Lions that included $13 million in guarantees, about $20 million less than Bradberry.
Hours after agreeing to terms with Trufant, the Lions traded Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles for third- and fifth-round picks.
Slay bashed Lions coach Matt Patricia on his way out of town, saying he lost respect for Patricia after the coach embarrassed him in a team meeting in 2018.
Bradberry said in his radio interview Monday that he didn't get any red flags about playing in Detroit.
"Nah," he said. "I feel like both organizations were great. I feel like both coaches were great coaches, I just feel like New York might have been a better feel for me. It's a great city. It's something new for me. I'm more of an introvert and I wanted to go to a big city just so I can explore a little bit more around the city."
Along with Trufant, the Lions are expected to sign former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Tony McRae in free agency. McRae has played primarily on special teams during the course of his career.
