Terrion Arnold has had the ups and downs of a rookie cornerback, but any call to bench him ignores a simple reality.
Rookie cornerbacks in the NFL often become targets for both opposing teams and referees, particularly at the start of the season. Terrion Arnold, the Lions’ first-round draft pick, is no exception, having accumulated four pass interference penalties in three games, along with a fine for a facemask infraction in Week 2.
During the game against the Arizona Cardinals, Arnold committed his fourth pass interference penalty. Pro Football Focus presents a mixed review of his performance, showing a low overall grade but noting that he allowed only two receptions on six targets while covering Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Lions are allowing Terrion Arnold ample time to adjust to NFL officiating. Had he not dealt with minor injuries in the last two games, he would have played nearly all of the team’s defensive snaps. Despite poor PFF grades, many might consider Sunday to be his best performance to date.
However, the call to bench Arnold overlooks an important fact: it’s crucial to keep the context in mind, which doesn’t mean completely sidelining him. Still, Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports believes the Lions should think about removing Arnold from the starting lineup.
Arnold has only played three NFL games but already leads all defensive players in penalties and pass interference calls, including a fine for a facemask—an unusual situation.
While his penalty numbers are high, the question remains: who would replace him in the starting lineup? Payton suggests starting Kindle Vildor instead, allowing Arnold to come off the bench temporarily to focus on his technique and regain control before returning to the starting role.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed no concern about Arnold’s penalties after Week 1, suggesting the issue isn’t viewed as significant—though opinions on that may vary.
Regarding the potential benching for Kindle Vildor, it’s important to note that Vildor started due to a lack of alternatives at the end of last season, including the playoffs. He faced some tough moments, like a play in the NFC Championship Game, but overall, he didn’t perform well. If Vildor were truly seen as a starting-caliber player, the Lions likely wouldn’t have made offseason moves that pushed him down the depth chart,
It’s reasonable to suggest that Arnold might benefit from some reduced playing time to refine his technique. However, removing him from the starting lineup, even if it’s just a symbolic gesture, seems quite drastic. Additionally, if Vildor is the alternative, many would hesitate, as he hasn’t proven to be a reliable option.
