The Detroit Lions acquired safety Andre Cisco from the New York Jets on Monday, Nov, according to Freep. 9, 2026, sending a 2028 sixth-round draft pick to New York.
Detroit Adds Veteran Defensive Back to Bolster Secondary
Detroit added the veteran defensive back to bolster a unit that ranks last in the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes allowed. Cisco is playing on an expiring contract this season. In a corresponding roster move, the Lions waived tight end Jackson Meeks, according to The Detroit News.
Cisco appeared in nine games with four starts for the Jets this year, recording 23 tackles and a forced fumble. He brings 59 career starts to a secondary that recently welcomed back Brian Branch while safety Kerby Joseph works his way back from a knee injury, according to SideLion Report.
Trade: Jets are sending S Andre Cisco to the Detroit Lions for a 2028 6th-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Cisco’s on an expiring contract. pic.twitter.com/BkN4GUcl7q
The Detroit defense has experienced notable improvements over recent stretches, allowing an average of 15.5 points across its last four games after permitting 31.75 points per contest over the first four games of the season. General manager Brad Holmes has maintained an active presence at trade deadlines throughout his tenure, orchestrating previous deals such as acquiring wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones from the Cleveland Browns for a future sixth-round pick in 2023 and sending tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
The 6-foot, 210-pound defensive back joins a Detroit squad that holds a 6-2 record, sitting just a half-game above the rest of a competitive NFC North division that features the Chicago Bears at 7-2, the Green Bay Packers at 6-3, and the Minnesota Vikings at 6-1 ahead of their Monday night matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
The Jets selected Cisco out of Syracuse as the 65th overall pick in the third round of the2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. During his tenure in Jacksonville spanning from 2021 through 2024, he started 15 games in both 2022 and 2023, and 14 games in 2024, accumulating eight interceptions before signing with the Jets in free agency prior to the 2025 season.
Across his career in the NFL, he has registered 293 total tackles, eight interceptions, and 26 pass breakups over 80 career appearances. Following his arrival in New York, he started all eight games he played in 2025 before suffering a torn pectoral muscle that prematurely ended his campaign.
This season, he recorded one sack, one pass defended, and an 81.1 run-defense grade along with three run stops across 191 defensive snaps, though he was benched following a Week 3 loss to Detroit.
The transaction leaves the Jets with nine selections in the 2027 draft, including three first-round picks, while providing a low-risk insurance addition for a Detroit team pursuing its third playoff appearance in the last four seasons.
Following the departure of Jackson Meeks—who originally joined the organization as an undrafted rookie in 2025, transitioned successfully to tight end, and caught one pass for eight yards against the Jets on Sept. 27—the Lions active roster features Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, and Tyler Conklin at the position.
Dan Campbell Highlights Cisco's Versatility and System Knowledge
Head coach Dan Campbell addressed the acquisition during his Monday press conference. He noted that the organization has tracked the safety since his college career.
We’ve liked Cisco from afar, having played against him and then even in free agency when he was with Jacksonville coming out. He’s athletic, he’s versatile, he knows our system, he knows the verbiage, so we feel like this is a guy that can help us here a little bit. We’re excited,Dan Campbell, Head Coach
The team intends to utilize that flexibility across different formations.
It gives us flexibility. Cisco is obviously safety, he’s played nickel, he can play other things on third down in your dime package,Dan Campbell, Head Coach
The defensive scheme implemented by coordinator Kelvin Sheppard bears heavy influences from former coordinator and current Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, under whom Cisco spent the previous two seasons.
Cornerbacks coach Deshea Townsend previously worked on the Jaguars coaching staff as a passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach from 2022 to 2023 during Cisco's tenure as a starter in Jacksonville. This prior exposure to similar defensive philosophies provides the newcomer with an inherent understanding of the terminology and assignments required by the coaching staff.
The acquisition allows the coaching staff to manage player rotations as Kerby Joseph works his way back from a knee injury sustained after a Week 5 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in October 2025.
With Brian Branch reintegrated into the starting lineup and veterans like Chuck Clark holding down defensive assignments, the addition of Cisco gives the secondary extra depth alongside developing contributors such as Christian Izien and Keith Abney II. Campbell noted that the roster flexibility could allow players like Abney to expand back into a natural nickel role while giving the coaching staff multiple options in sub-packages and dime formations.
Career Trajectory From Jacksonville to Detroit
Selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Syracuse, Cisco started 15 games in 2022 and 2023 before starting 14 games in 2024.
He signed with the Jets ahead of the 2025 season and started eight games before a torn pectoral muscle ended his campaign. Now joining a Lions squad sitting at 6-2, Cisco provides experienced insurance as the team prepares to face the New England Patriots on Nov, according to A to Z Sports. 15.
As the team weighs its travel schedule—including an upcoming trip to play the Patriots—the coaching staff will evaluate whether to accelerate Cisco’s integration into game action or allow him additional time to absorb the playbook before subsequent matchups against opponents like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
