Detroit Lions 2026 Offseason Outlook

For a franchise that just recorded its fourth straight winning season — something it hadn’t done since the 1950s — last season was a bummer for the Detroit Lions. It wasn’t that long ago that a 9-8 season would have been considered a success in Detroit. But not for these Lions, who were 15-2 in 2024 and picked by many to be the NFC’s representative in the Super Bowl going into last season.

Instead, with injuries continuing to be a problem and the defense coming up short, Detroit missed the playoffs altogether. Many of the team’s struggles were attributed to the “brain drain” that occurred when offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left to become the Bears head coach and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn took the Jets’ job. Maybe it wasn’t the loss of those coordinators as much as the fact that head coach Dan Campbell didn’t see the need to slow things down and take stock of where they were at. Campbell kept his foot on the gas pedal, and it didn’t always work.

2025 recap

In Week 2 of last season, the Lions made a statement against former OC Ben Johnson by putting up 52 points in a win over the Bears. With running back Jahmyr Gibbs putting up 1,839 scrimmage yards and Amon-Ra St. Brown catching 117 passes for 1,401 yards, the Lions continued to be an offensive force — ranking fourth in points per game and fifth in yards per game. Detroit actually swept the home-and-home series with the eventual NFC North champ Bears, but a defense that allowed 24.3 points per game was an Achilles heel. The Lions allowed 30 or more points five times. And aside from those two wins against the Bears, Detroit was 0-7 against the other teams on its schedule that finished 2025 with a winning record.

In addition to the defensive struggles, Campbell’s aggressiveness backfired at times. Known as the king of going for it on fourth down, Campbell continued to push the envelope. The Lions still converted on more than 50% of their fourth-down attempts, but the success rate was down significantly from 2024.

Key free agents

DL D.J. Reader
LB Alex Anzalone
WR Kalif Raymond
DE Marcus Davenport
K Jake Bates

Lions salary cap space

($8,531,146)

2026 draft needs

Despite the offensive success, the retirement last season of center Frank Ragnow created a distinct shortcoming. The Lions will definitely be looking at the top centers in this year’s draft. After that, defense is the key. Cornerback is the priority. It also couldn’t hurt to add some pass-rushing depth to take pressure off Aidan Hutchinson. Quarterback is certainly not a pressing need — Jared Goff has averaged 4,551 yards and 32.5 TD passes over the last four years. But Goff will be 32 in October; is it time to at least take a look at any mid-round QB options that have potential?

2026 opponents

Home:Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Giants, N.Y. Jets, Tampa Bay, Tennessee

Away:Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Arizona, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Miami