The Detroit Lions' secondary needs answers. Through four games, the Lions have unfortunately made a case for the title of the NFL's worst defenses. They rank near the bottom of the league in several categories, and have left more to be desired during their 2-2 start.
Defensive struggles have plagued both the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals through four games, giving each team plenty to address before their Sunday matchup in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta said Wednesday that contract extension talks with the team have reached a stalemate, though he stopped short of declaring the discussions finished.
The Detroit Lions came into this season with high expectations after missing the playoffs in 2025. Dan Campbell and company were projected to have an elite offense once again, and the hope in Detroit was that the defense would stay healthy and improve under Kelvin Sheppard in his second year.
A few trades have rearranged the NFL's backup quarterback ranks, but the dust has mostly settled. From a mix of recent first-round disappointments, aging vets, and young project types, here is how the league's QB2 ranks look for the 2026 season.
The Detroit Lions are 2-2 after four weeks in 2026, and though there have been a few players exceeding expectations so far, there are also a couple who have been incredibly disappointing.
The Detroit Lions welcomed back two players who could make an impact in the second quarter of the 2026 NFL season. It is not expected that center Cade Mays and defensive back Brian Branch, two players who were limited in practice on Wednesday afternoon, to suit up before the bye week.
Kelvin Sheppard is facing increased scrutiny as the Lions prepare for Week 5. Detroit’s defense has struggled to find consistency, putting more attention on the defensive coordinator and his approach.
The Detroit Lions defense has been facing plenty of scrutiny over the past several weeks. After a first half shutout of the New Orleans Saints in the season opener, the Lions' defense has been picked apart over the course of their 2-2 start.
While it's unclear exactly how much money LaPorta may want attached to an extension, multiple players at the position inked deals this year that presumably could help the 25-year-old and the Lions come to an agreement.
NFL stars can't play forever, and retirement is coming sooner than later for some of the league's top players. These 25 players could call it quits following the 2026 season.
The Lions could get a couple of key reinforcements back soon. Safety Brian Branch and center Cade Mays are returning to practice on Wednesday, head coach Dan Campbell announced.
The Detroit Lions already tried to trade for a cornerback once this season and came up short on Joey Porter Jr. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler thinks they need to try again, and on Wednesday he raised a much bigger name in Pittsburgh’s Jalen Ramsey.
The Detroit Lions have the worst defense in all of football, and most of that blame can go on the secondary. Their passing defense is so bad that former players are calling them out.
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes actually did proclaim once that he loved sitting in the film room to watch defensive backs play. "I love corner play," Holmes said at the 2024 NFL scouting combine.
The Detroit Lions left Week 4 with plenty of questions after falling 32-26 to the Carolina Panthers. Most criticism targeted a defense that surrendered 445 yards, but the offense also deserves scrutiny.
Boakai Hilton, a friend and co-defendant of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Terrion Arnold, pleaded guilty Monday in a Florida kidnapping and armed robbery case and agreed to testify against Arnold as part of the deal.
“You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” This quote from The Dark Knight is the perfect way to sum up Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes. After the disaster that was the Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia era, Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell were hired after the 2020 season to usher in a new era.
The Detroit Lions are 2-2 after their loss to the Carolina Panthers during "Sunday Night Football," 32-26, and the players and coaching staff are putting their heads together to figure out what they can do to turn things around.
On a night when defense was optional, quarterback Bryce Young was instrumental in a 32-26 win as the Carolina Panthers outlasted the Detroit Lions on "Sunday Night Football."
Multiple reports have suggested the Lions want to hammer out an extension with tight end Sam LaPorta , who is in the final year of his rookie contract.