There’s no sugarcoating it: the 2025 season was a disaster for the Detroit Lions.
After a 15-2 season in 2024, the Lions stumbled to a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs in 2025.
Yes, there were factors, like losing Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs, plus the roster wasn’t exactly healthy either, particularly along the offensive line.
So, if the Lions are to get back to being the NFC’s apex predator, what needs to happen this offseason for Dan Campbell’s team?
NFL.com’s Matt Okada thinks the Lions have to get better play from the offensive line.
“The Lions finished 2025 with a disappointing 9-8 record and a postseason on the couch after two years atop the NFC North,” Okada wrote. “And while there were a number of small compounding issues, we’re going to focus on the offensive line.
“If they want to bounce back in 2026, they’ll need better personnel or better play on the O-line, especially on the inside. (And it never hurts to stay healthy.)”
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Lions have to attack big weakness
Finding quality offensive linemen in free agency is a rather pricey thing to do, and yes, Baltimore Ravens‘ Tyler Linderbaum could be an option as a long-term center for the Lions, but he’ll be expensive.
In fact, most free agent linemen usually are expensive. So, will Campbell look to go after some bargain options with some upside? Possibly, but with the NFC North’s other teams in the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings, all having stout defenses, having rookies go against that isn’t ideal.
Still, the Lions have to get quality starters and depth along the offensive line, otherwise history might repeat itself in 2026.
And the Lions’ once wide-open Super Bowl window could be closing fast.
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