Despite missing the playoffs last season, optimism is high for the Detroit Lions entering 2026. The roster is as talented as ever, a busy offseason addressed multiple glaring weaknesses, and the team enters week one in overall good health. There are lingering questions at several positions, and injuries are always an omnipresent concern given how the last few seasons have played out, but the Lions are undoubtedly one of the most talented teams in the NFL.
2025 record: 9-8 (missed playoffs)
Lions offseason review
The Lions entered the offseason needing to revamp an offensive line that ended the season in tatters while simultaneously addressing multi-year flaws on the defensive side. The Taylor Decker saga kickstarted a busy offseason for Brad Holmes. The longtime starting left tackle originally announced his return for an 11th season in Detroit, but was released soon thereafter. With holes at right tackle and center, plus a lack of depth across the line, the front office quickly got to work.
New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing
Ben Johnson’s replacement, John Morton, fell flat as the offensive coordinator in 2025. He ceded playcalling duties to Dan Campbell mid-season and was fired at the end of the year. In comes Drew Petzing following three seasons as the OC in Arizona. His offenses didn’t exactly light the world on fire, but much of that can be attributed to a lack of talent on the roster.
Petzing should be credited for creating good running games, even with lesser talent along the offensive line than what the Lions have. Trey McBride developed into an elite tight end under Petzing. He runs a lot of 2-TE sets, something that aligns with what Dan Campbell wants to do. It was a surprising hire at the time, but as with any hire needs to be given time to be judged.
Offensive line
David Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans in exchange for a fourth and seventh-round draft pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs. Montgomery wanted more playing time after seeing his role diminished behind Jahmyr Gibbs. Scruggs played 1,663 snaps across three seasons in Houston and adds quality depth to the line.
Detroit signed former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays to a three-year, $25 million deal. Mays suffered a broken wrist in training camp and is out until mid-October, but will be a major upgrade at center. In Mays’ absence, the aforementioned Juice Scruggs will start at center. The signings of tackle Larry Borom and guard Ben Bartch give the Lions reliable depth should they be in need of it.
With the 17th overall pick in the draft, the Lions selected Blake Miller, a right tackle out of Clemson. Miller will start on the right side of the line with Penei Sewell shifting to left tackle. He started 54 games at Clemson and has been described as the most pro-ready tackle out of this draft class. Whether that proves to be true remains to be seen, but the front office dedicated a premium asset into filling a need at right tackle.
Defense
It’s no secret that the Lions defense has been a weakness over the past few years. Injuries have ravaged the unit, and a lack of quality depth has resulted in practice squad players starting in important games. Brad Holmes took steps to address that in the offseason, signing or drafting nine new contributors.
At defensive end, Al-Quadin Muhammad left for Tampa, replaced by DJ Wonnum on a one-year, $3 million contract. In the second round, the Lions drafted Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore, who recorded 10.5 sacks in 2025. Between Wonnum and Moore, the hope is that the duo can become a solid rotation opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
With safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch on IR to start the season, the Lions brought in two free agent safeties in veterans Chuck Clark and Christian Izen. Clark is an eight-year vet with 80 starts, while Izien started 15 games the last three seasons with the Buccaneers. Cornerback Amik Robertson departed in free agency, since replaced by former Titans and Rams nickel corner Roger McCreary. Keith Abney II, a corner out of Arizona State, fell to the Lions in the fifth round of the draft and could fight for playing time as a rookie.
Former Pro Bowler Devin White and fourth-round rookie Jimmy Rolder bolster the depth at linebacker following the departure of Alex Anzalone. Sixth-round rookie Skyler Gill-Howard out of Texas Tech is a high-upside defensive tackle who will back up Alim McNeil and Tyleik Williams. Depth has been a major issue across the defense for multiple seasons running; Brad Holmes made plenty of moves to rectify that for the 2026 season.
Other additions
With the departure of David Montgomery, the Lions signed former Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco to a one-year contract to back up Jahmyr Gibbs. Pacheco, however, is on injured reserve to start the season with MCL and back injuries. Journeyman QB Josh Dobbs is the new backup to Jared Goff, beating out undrafted free agent Luke Altmyer for the job.
The Terrion Arnold situation
The Lions released corner Terrion Arnold on June 29th following his arrest on eight felony kidnapping and robbery charges in Florida. Without getting into the details, it is an unfortunate situation for the Lions, who were relying on Arnold to make a jump in his third season. The 2024 first-round pick disappointed in his two seasons in Detroit, but that is far overshadowed by his decisions off the field.
Contract extensions
Brad Holmes remained proactive in extending his homegrown stars, inking deals with Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell. Gibbs signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal while Campbell agreed to a four-year, $81 million contract. Over the last few years, the Lions have extended Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeil, Kerby Joseph, and now Gibbs and Campbell. The last two core players yet to be extended are Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch. If both play well in 2026, I expect the Lions to make every effort to lock them up too.
Projected starters
Quarterback: Jared Goff
Running back: Jahmyr Gibbs
Wide receiver: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac Teslaa
Tight end: Sam LaPorta
Offensive line: Penei Sewell, Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs, Tate Ratledge, Blake Miller
Starters on IR: Cade Mays (center)
The Lions have arguably the best collection of talent at the offensive skill positions in the NFL. Jahmyr Gibbs is a superstar, as is Amon-Ra St. Brown. Jameson Williams continues to improve year after year and is one of the best second wideouts in football. When healthy, Sam LaPorta is one of the best tight ends in the league. He is an excellent pass-catcher and just as effective a blocker. Back injuries are a scary thing, but all reports indicate he is healthy to start the season.
On the offensive line, Penei Sewell moves to left tackle to allow rookie Blake Miller to start on the right side. Tate Ratledge enters his second season as the starter at right guard, hoping to build upon a solid rookie season. Juice Scruggs will start at center until Cade Mays is healthy. How he and Christian Mahogany perform on the interior will be a point of emphasis early in the season.
Defensive line: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeil, Tyleik Williams, DJ Wonnum
Linebacker: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes
Corner: D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Roger McCreary
Safety: Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox
Starters on IR: Kerby Joseph (safety), Brian Branch (safety)
Aidan Hutchinson and Jack Campbell are All-Pro stars at defensive end and linebacker. If Alim McNeil returns to his 2024 form, he is another high-level player up front. Depth remains a concern on defense, though. Kerby Joseph’s knee injury has not healed as hoped, leaving questions about his ability to play at all. Brian Branch will be back at some point in October, leaving the Lions with two new starters at safety. Terrion Arnold’s departure so late in the offseason put a dent in the corner room, pushing Rock Ya-Sin into a starting role and leaving little depth behind him. DJ Wonnum and Derrick Moore will be entrusted to take the load of snaps opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Ideally, a productive rotation will emerge, but that is far from a guarantee.
Questions to answer
1. Can the Lions finally avoid the injury bug?
A 15-2 season in 2024 fell short as a result of injuries late in the year. The Lions were the most injured team in football last season. At some point, they are due for a healthy year. Entering this season, Cade Mays was the only major injury in training camp and preseason, leaving the rest of the roster in good health. When healthy, the Lions have the talent to win the Super Bowl.
2. How do the newcomers on the offensive line perform?
The offensive line went from a strength in 2023 and 2024 to a major weakness in 2025. Brad Holmes brought in two new starters and several legitimate backups to restore the unit to its former strength. Jared Goff needs adequate pass protection to succeed, given he is a pure pocket passer and the running game was far less effective late in the year last season. Blake Miller does not need to be a star right away. He and Cade Mays/Juice Scruggs simply have to hold their own and progress as the season goes on. If the offensive line makes a leap, the offense will be elite once again.
3. How soon can Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph return, and how effective will they be?
Branch and Joseph are among the NFL’s best at safety, but both begin the season in injured reserve. Branch is rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered late last season. There is optimism he will be back at some point in early to mid-October. Will he be 100% coming off of a major injury? That is always a question when players return from a torn Achilles, ACL, etc.
As for Kerby Joseph, his situation is much more unclear. Dan Campbell said Joseph is “ramping up” several days ago, but that could mean any number of things. Joseph has not practiced with the deal while dealing with a chronic knee injury, and reports have varied a lot on his status for the season. If he can return following the week six bye, that would be ideal. Nobody knows if, and when, Joseph will see the field next.
4. Will the defensive ends opposite Aidan Hutchinson produce?
An inconsistent pass rush has also plagued the defense in recent years. The recurring signings of Marcus Davenport and other career backups have not been an effective solution. DJ Wonnum fits the mold of a backup defensive end, having recorded only seven sacks in the last two seasons. The selection of Derrick Moore in the second round provides more reason for optimism. It is the biggest draft investment Brad Holmes has made at the position since Hutchinson went second overall in 2022. The Lions do not need elite production out of the DE rotation, but they do need consistent performance against the run and pass.
5. Do the Lions eventually add help at corner?
The release of Terrion Arnold leaves the Lions very thin at corner. D.J. Reed, the prized signing from the 2025 offseason, battled injuries and poor performance in his first year in Honolulu Blue. Rock Ya-Sin stepped into a starting role and played well, but there is little experience beyond the top two. Roger McCreary is a solid addition as the starting nickel. Can 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw finally make an impact after playing in only one career game due to serious injuries? If the position is not in a good spot come mid-season, will Brad Holmes pull the trigger on a trade to shore it up? Injuries and depth have cost the Lions shots at the Super Bowl too many times recently; that cannot happen again now.
Season prediction
The Lions have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL. Matchups against the Saints, Jets, Cardinals, Dolphins, Falcons, Titans, and Giants are all games in which the Lions should be safe favorites. In the division, the Vikings and Packers are far from surefire competitors given the turbulent offseason both dealt with. The Lions swept the Bears last season, a team with questions of its own on defense. Tough matchups against the Bills and Patriots will be tests, but the Lions could not have asked for a more favorable schedule.
If the offensive line can be in the top half of the league, I have no doubts the offense will be elite again. Jared Goff has finished top-five in passing yards, touchdowns, and passer rating each of the last three seasons. Jahmyr Gibbs is one of, if not the best, running backs in football, and the pass-catching trio of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta is outstanding.
On the defensive end, I have more reservations. Brad Holmes made moves to add depth at linebacker and safety that I am confident in. However, defensive end and corner remain unknowns. With a high-powered offense, the defense does not have to be elite. There is enough talent for it to be a good unit, but there are too many question marks to be fully confident.
Given the schedule and overall talent on the roster, I do believe the Lions will return to the playoffs this season by winning the NFC North with a record of 12-5. In the playoffs, I predict the Lions to be the number two seed in the NFC, reaching the NFC championship before losing to the Rams. The Lions have enough talent to win the Super Bowl this season, and I expect them to come close. With Dan Campbell at the helm, elite playmakers on offense, a revamped offensive line, and a bolstered defense, the Lions have enough talent to contend for the Super Bowl this season. The 2026 season kicks off on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET at Ford Field against the New Orleans Saints on FOX.
