ALLEN PARK, Mich. – The Detroit Lions are ready to turn the page.
After an offseason of changes, a revamped defensive line and a new offensive coordinator, the Lions are eager to find out what their team can do when the games begin for real.
Quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, defensive lineman Alim McNeill, and veteran safety Chuck Clark all expressed confidence Tuesday (Sept. 8) as Detroit prepared for its season opener against the New Orleans Saints inside Ford Field.
For Goff, the excitement comes from finally facing an opponent other than his own teammates.
“Yeah, it feels good to have someone against except our own guys to go against,” Goff said. “Good opponent coming in, and we’re excited.”
Detroit is trying to move past a disappointing 2025 season in which the Lions failed to make the playoffs after entering the year with Super Bowl expectations.
Goff said that experience has given the team an extra edge, but he doesn’t want the Lions dwelling on what happened.
“I think last year is a bad taste,” Goff said. “But we got however many chances in front of us now to go make it right.”
Goff believes the Lions have the right makeup to do that.
“I think we say it all the time. Dan says it all the time,” Goff said. “Everyone in this building is made of the right stuff.”
Asked to define that “stuff,” Goff settled on one word: grit.
“Perseverance and hard work and doing a little bit more and pushing a little bit harder,” Goff said.
Goff embracing new-look offense
Goff also praised the work of new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, saying the coach has brought an ability to listen to players and incorporate their strengths into the offense.
Goff said Petzing has done a good job of taking input from him and other key offensive players and weaving it into plays and game plans.
“The mental dexterity of all of that to do it is hard,” Goff said. “And he’s done a good job.”
The Lions have also been working through changes along the offensive line, including a competition at left guard.
Goff said the group began to come together during the final week of training camp.
He also praised Penei Sewell’s transition to left tackle, saying the move has not appeared to slow the All-Pro lineman.
“We take it for granted, but I’m we’re lucky to have him,” Goff said.
Goff’s own focus will be on consistency.
After Detroit struggled at times to maintain its level of execution last season, he said the team now has 17 regular-season games to prove it can be better.
“This team’s different, and we’re excited,” Goff said.
Goff acknowledged that Week 1 creates its own challenge because both teams are likely to have new wrinkles that haven’t appeared on film.
“There is that little internal chess match going on,” Goff said. “We’ll both roll it out Sunday and see which one’s better.”
For Detroit, the answer will begin to come Sunday.
After an offseason focused on fixing what went wrong and building on what went right, the Lions are ready to see whether the changes translate into wins.
“We’re excited to play the Saints,” Goff said.
Gibbs ready for bigger role
Gibbs enters the season as Detroit’s top running back and said he isn’t changing his preparation because of the increased responsibility.
“I do the same stuff every year,” Gibbs said. “Stay consistent and do what I do.”
Gibbs said he likes how Petzing’s offense makes the run and pass games look similar, creating opportunities for running backs to make plays in multiple ways.
“He puts us in a lot of spots to make plays and win,” Gibbs said.
The second-year running back also appears comfortable with the attention that comes with being one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons.
Gibbs acknowledged that he would be a popular fantasy football choice and didn’t hesitate when asked whether he would select himself with the No. 1 pick.
“For sure,” Gibbs said with a smile.
Gibbs has also embraced lining up as a receiver, something he has done since high school.
“I’ve always done that,” Gibbs said. “When I was in high school, I played receiver too. College and played a lot of it.”
Gibbs said being in the slot or out wide allows him to work in space and avoid taking hits on every play.
The Lions also expect to get a closer look at running back Sione Vaki after he missed the preseason.
Gibbs said the young back has improved his footwork, running tracks and landmarks while maintaining his ability as a receiver.
Hutchinson confident after strong camp
Hutchinson said he feels like he made significant progress during training camp and enters the season with confidence.
“I got a lot better this camp,” Hutchinson said. “I really do. Your game evolves, and going against the talented guys that we have, you really do get better.”
Hutchinson said his improvement has come through small adjustments rather than major changes.
At this stage of his career, he said, it’s about refining details such as his angles, body lean, and how he clears a pass-rushing move.
“It’s those little one percent tweaks that you make that ultimately allow you to ascend,” Hutchinson said.
He also praised defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard for giving him the freedom to make plays within the structure of the defense.
The former Michigan Wolverines star said Sheppard’s growth as a play caller has been noticeable and that the defense feels connected entering the season.
“I feel like this is — it feels connected right now for sure,” Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson also believes McNeill is returning to form after injuries affected him last season.
“He feels and looks back to normal,” Hutchinson said. “It’s fun rushing with him.”
McNeill wants dominant defensive line
McNeill was among the Lions players voted a captain for the first time and said the honor means a great deal because it comes directly from his teammates.
“It means a lot,” McNeill said. “It means you put in the work and the guys trust me as one of their leading teammates.”
McNeill said his primary goal for the season is simple.
“Super Bowl,” McNeill said.
He also believes Detroit has built its most complete defensive line since he joined the team.
The Lions added players to the front this offseason, and McNeill said the group now has a wide range of body types, skill sets, and pass-rushing abilities.
“This is definitely the most complete group,” McNeill said.
McNeill expects the defensive line to set the tone regardless of injuries elsewhere on the defense.
“We know what type of defensive line we want to be,” McNeill said. “We want to take over the game.”
That fits with the identity coach Dan Campbell has talked about establishing, a return to the physical style that characterized some of Detroit’s best teams earlier in his tenure.
McNeill said the Lions want to reestablish that physical identity.
“The violent physical nature of the game,” McNeill said. “That’s just how this game works. You have to be that way.”
Clark ready to make impact
Clark is preparing to start Week 1 and said he’s excited to have another opportunity to play.
“Just not trying to make it bigger than what it is,” Clark said. “Got another opportunity, another training camp, made it through healthy, get to go out there, play football with my teammates, and let’s go get some wins.”
Clark said Sheppard’s defense allows safeties to play both near the line of scrimmage and deeper in coverage.
That versatility fits his game.
“I like to make plays both,” Clark said.
Clark also pointed to the experience Detroit has in its secondary, particularly with veteran players who have seen a wide range of situations during their NFL careers.
That experience can be especially valuable early in the season, when teams have limited film on new players and schemes.
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