Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Season Preview

Offense

An electrifying offense effectively short-circuited last fall under new coordinator John Morton, who lasted only one season in Detroit. Campbell took over play-calling duties in Week 10, and the Lions still ranked in the league’s top five in scoring and total yards. But a retooled offensive line never really found its footing after All-Pro center Frank Ragnow’s abrupt retirement last June.

That led to a complete overhaul this spring, as the Lions parted company with left tackle Taylor Decker — the team’s longest-tenured player — and center Graham Glasgow. Holmes’ lone big splash in free agency was Cade Mays, a hulking 27-year-old center coming off a breakout season in Carolina. Detroit used its first-round pick on Clemson’s Blake Miller, a right tackle who made 54 consecutive starts in college, and the plan is for All-Pro Penei Sewell to take Decker’s old spot protecting Jared Goff’s blind side. Tate Ratledge, a 2025 second-round pick, is the other lock to start at right guard, while the Lions added insurance and depth with tackle Larry Borom and guards Juice Scruggs and Ben Bartch.

Goff, who has now played more games for the Lions than he did for the Rams, remains the unflappable leader of this unit. Even with the breakdowns on the line, he still ranked second in the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns last season, and his accuracy remains elite. But he’ll be working with his third coordinator in three years, as Drew Petzing takes over after spending three seasons in Arizona. Petzing’s creative, adaptable scheme should help rejuvenate the run game, and Campbell also brought in Mike Kafka, who finished the 2025 season as the New York Giants’ interim head coach, to be the passing game coordinator.

The line’s struggles didn’t stop Jahmyr Gibbs from a third straight Pro Bowl nod after he posted career-best receiving totals — 77 catches, 616 yards, five TDs — and finished fifth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage. But the backfield job share did tilt heavily away from David Montgomery, who was traded to Houston in March. Isiah Pacheco, a two-time Super Bowl champ in Kansas City, figures to boost the Lions’ flagging short-yardage success.

The receiving corps returns largely intact, led by three-time All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, who posted his first 1,000-yard season in 2025. The Lions were the only team in the league with two top-10 receivers in yardage. Coaches expect a big step from Isaac TeSlaa, who flashed his playmaking ability (six TD catches) as a rookie. Detroit signed former Arizona Cardinal Greg Dortch to fill Kalif Raymond’s slot role after the latter signed with Chicago.

Sam LaPorta is one of the league’s most productive tight ends, but the former Pro Bowler missed the final eight games last season due to a herniated disc that required surgery. He expects to be full-go and is in line for a contract extension.

Defense

It has taken Holmes longer to build a defense through the draft, but now that the investment is there, it’s time to start seeing a better return. That’ll be the challenge facing defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, the former Glenn apprentice who endured some growing pains in his first season as a play-caller. Injuries didn’t help, and that’s still a concern heading into this fall, particularly in the secondary, where the NFL’s best safety tandem is a huge question mark. Brian Branch likely won’t be back until midseason after suffering a torn Achilles last December, while former All-Pro Kerby Joseph’s lingering knee problems remain a concern. Holmes added depth in free agency at the position — super-sub Christian Izien (Tampa Bay) could fill Branch’s role until he returns — but didn’t take a safety in the draft.

Sheppard is also banking on a healthy return from starting cornerback D.J. Reed. He also looks for production from Rock Ya-Sin, who replaces Terrion Arnold. The team’s first-round pick in 2024, Arnold was released earlier this summer due to legal issues. The Lions also have Arnold’s oft-injured draft classmate, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who faces a make-or-break training camp. At nickel, newly signed Roger McCreary will get pushed by another tough-nosed competitor in rookie fifth-rounder Keith Abney II.

The Lions played more base defense than any other NFL team last season, but they’re promising a different look this year. Malcolm Rodriguez is a holdover option to replace weakside linebacker Alex Anzalone, who left for Tampa Bay in free agency. But the Lions also drafted Michigan’s Jimmy Rolder with that role in mind. Jack Campbell, another rising star eligible for an extension, is the leader in the middle of the defense, while Derrick Barnes returns as the Sam linebacker.

Up front is where the heavy draft capital was spent, though. And after a lengthy search, Detroit finally may have found a long-term, tag-team partner for All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson, who led the NFL in pressures (100) last season while playing more than 1,000 snaps. The Lions traded up in the second round to draft another Michigan star in Derrick Moore, a powerful edge-setter who won a national title in Ann Arbor and fits the Lions’ scheme. They also brought in DJ Wonnum as an early-down option and brought back Levi Onwuzurike, who missed all of 2025 with injury.

Much like with the offensive line, the makeover of the defensive front now seems complete, as all four projected starters — Alim McNeill and 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams man the tackle spots — are 25 or younger.

Specialists

Kicker Jake Bates couldn’t match his storybook rookie success in Year 2, as his field-goal accuracy fell off. But he remained perfect in clutch situations and handled the new kickoff rules well, so he’ll be back on a veteran-minimum deal with something to prove. No such worries with punter Jack Fox, also entering a contract year. He posted another top-10 finish in net yardage and allowed only two touchbacks. Dortch is the top option to replace Raymond, who departed as the franchise leader in punt return yardage. Rookie Kendrick Law, a special-teams ace as a gunner and returner, also will get a long look.

Final analysis

After going from first to worst in the NFC North and watching their former coordinator lead the Bears to their first division title since 2018, the Lions are back in their comfort zone with a chip on their shoulder. They’re eager to feast on a last-place schedule, with only seven games against 2025 playoff teams and only two non-divisional opponents coming off winning seasons. If the revamped line jells, the offense will remain a top-five unit. With even marginal improvement on the defensive side, Detroit could find its way back to the playoffs.