Jeff Okudah: Moving on from Lions 'Little Bittersweet'

Jeff Okudah knew it was time for the Detroit Lions and him to part ways.

After three seasons of largely underwhelming results with the Detroit Lions, cornerback Jeff Okudah has a chance to get his career back on track with the Atlanta Falcons. 

It's an opportunity that's been afforded to him, as a result of the Lions' trade of Okudah to the Falcons earlier this April. And, the one-time Ohio State defensive back is looking forward to making the most of his chance at redemption.

During his introductory media session with Atlanta reporters Tuesday, the ex-Lions cornerback expressed that although it's "bittersweet" moving on from Detroit, he's excited about his new opportunity with the Falcons. 

“I would say a little bittersweet from the standpoint of the relationships that you form playing for a team for three years,” Okudah said. “But I was definitely excited about the opportunity to have a fresh start here in Atlanta. And it's kind of an opportunity to wipe the slate clean.”

Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, never quite found his footing in Detroit, and a major reason for that was his failure to stay healthy. He suited up for just 25 games in his tenture with the Lions, including a mere 10 contests in his first two years in the league.

The Ohio State product showcased signs of new life during this past season, recording a career-high 73 total tackles, seven passes defensed and his first ever interception returned for touchdown. However, he was also benched in the second half of Detroit's ugly loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 16, during which the defensive back missed multiple tackles and allowed a 47-yard bomb to be completed his way. 

It was just an example of the many struggles in coverage that Okudah experienced during his time in Motown. And, once Lions general manager Brad Holmes acquired fellow defensive backs Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson earlier this offseason, it was inevitable that the former Buckeyes cornerback's tenure in Detroit was coming to an end.

It led to the Lions' trade of the former top-three pick to the Falcons. 

Okudah explained to reporters Tuesday that he understood it was time for the Lions and him to go their separate ways.

"I approach situations with my best foot forward, and sometimes things don’t work out how you intend (them) to,” Okudah said. “So, take those lessons and move on, and take those lessons and apply them to a new situation -- which is here. So, (I'm) excited for this new chapter."

Okudah didn't endure many negative experiences during his three seasons at Ohio State. In fact, in his final collegiate campaign, he became the first Buckeyes cornerback to earn unanimous All-America honors. 

Subsequently, the first time that Okudah, as a football player, truly had to overcome any sort of adversity came in Detroit.

“To see those lows and learn the resilience that comes from that, going through adversity, (it) kind of lets you know what kind of man you are," Okudah commented.