2025 Detroit Lions: 4-1 Lions win battle of the big cats. (75 Viewers)

[Leroy Hoard]

I question both coordinator hires. If Dan has been preparing for this, why did we have to go outside the organization for an OC?

The OC was on the Lions staff just 2 years ago. Campbell also worked with him in New Orleans.

 

[swabs]

How can you look at this roster and how they've locked up the young core and say the Super Bowl window is closed?

 

[msudaisy26]

The 2024 Detroit Lions season was certainly a wild ride, finishing with a strong 15-3 record. But despite the impressive stats and great performances, the bitter ending to the season felt like a missed opportunity—kind of like when you’re almost done with an assignment but need that last push to finish strong, similar to using Homeworking to ensure every detail is covered before turning in your work. The Lions came so close, but sometimes, the final stretch is the hardest.

What do you think the Lions need to tweak in the offseason to finish that final step and claim the ultimate victory next time?

Defense line. Hutch led the team in sacks and missed like 10 games. Alim had a very serious injury and I except him to play next year there is chance he isn't himself until 2026.

 

[King of the Jungle]

The 2024 Detroit Lions season was certainly a wild ride, finishing with a strong 15-3 record. But despite the impressive stats and great performances, the bitter ending to the season felt like a missed opportunity—kind of like when you’re almost done with an assignment but need that last push to finish strong, similar to using Homeworking to ensure every detail is covered before turning in your work. The Lions came so close, but sometimes, the final stretch is the hardest.

What do you think the Lions need to tweak in the offseason to finish that final step and claim the ultimate victory next time?

Injuries on defense were tough to overcome. Even losing Robertson early in the WAS game was another huge blow on a unit that could not afford anymore. However I do not think that is why we lost the game ultimately. It comes down to offensive execution and turnovers. We seemed out of sorts the whole game from start to finish. It has been hashed over quite a bit already, but had we simplified the offensive game plan and took a more run heavy approach I still think we would have come out ahead. Got too cute and made critical mistakes.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Exit Interviews: After years of struggles, a viable interior pass rush emerged, but future is cloudy beyond Alim McNeill​

To wrap up the Detroit Lions’ 2024 season, we’re doing a position-by-position evaluation of the roster. Today, we’re focusing on the play of the team’s defensive tackles.

The straightforward stats​

Alim McNeill: 14 games, 25 tackles (seven for a loss), 3.5 sacks, 45 QB pressures

DJ Reader: 15 games, 23 tackles (four for a loss), 3.0 sacks, 20 QB pressures

Levi Onwuzurike: 16 games, 28 (one for a loss), 1.5 sacks, 45 QB pressures

Pat O’Connor: 12 games, 18 tackles (two for a loss), 2.0 sacks, 10 QB pressures

Mekhi Wingo: 11 games, nine tackles, five QB pressures

Advanced metrics​

Among interior linemen, McNeill had one of the best pass-rush win rates in the NFL, beating his block 14.5% of the time. Only Denver's John Franklin-Myers, Kansas City's Chris Jones, Philadelphia's Moro Ojomo and Milton Jones, and Dallas' Osa Odighizuwa were better.

Onwuzurike, despite a limited number of negative plays, clearly had a knack for finding his way in the backfield. He tied for his position group's lead in quarterback pressures, with a win rate that ranked in the top 15 in the league.

Regarding run stops — tackles constituting an offensive failure — Detroit didn't have an interior lineman crack the top 50. Onwuzurike paced the team with 13, followed by McNeill with 12 and Reader with 10. That was the veteran nose tackle's least productive season in the category since 2016, his rookie year in Houston.

Best performance​

In a dismantling of the Cowboys in Dallas, the starting tandem of McNeill and Reader were wrecking balls on the inside. McNeill finished with a season-high seven pressures and 2.0 sacks, while Reader contributed two run stops and a QB hit. Dallas finished the game with 251 yards of offense, including 53 rushing on 17 carries (3.1 YPC).

Worst performance​

In the team’s Week 7 victory over Minnesota, the defensive tackles had a subpar day as the Vikings averaged 6.6 yards per carry. Onwuzurike, Reader and O’Connor were each assessed a missed tackle.

Regarding the pass rush, McNeill and Reader combined for a respectable five hurries and a hit on Sam Darnold, but it wasn’t enough. The Vikings QB completed 22-of-27 throws in the contest. McNeill didn’t even show up on the official score sheet, failing to record a single tackle for the only time last season, despite logging 50 snaps.

Where defensive tackle play got better in 2024​

Remember when the Lions couldn't generate a lick of pass-rush pressure from the interior of its defensive line? With the continued emergence of McNeill, paired with a finally healthy Onwuzurike, those days feel like a distant nightmare.

In 2024, Detroit's defensive tackles combined for 135 pressures. That's nearly double the 68 they produced the previous season and up 246% from 2021, McNeill and Onwuzurike's rookie season.

Reader didn’t produce a huge chunk of the pressures, tallying 22 after averaging 32 the previous three seasons for the Bengals. Still, his impact can’t be ignored. He absorbed most of the double-teams, freeing McNeill and Onwuzurike to do their thing.

Areas of needed improvement​

While the pressure totals soared, the team wasn't rewarded with a properly correlating number of sacks from their big men up front. Reader set a career-high with 3.0 — a nice bonus — but the group finished with 10.0. That's as many as Miami defensive tackle Zach Sieler (shout out, Ferris State) had last season.

A further disappointment from the rush was a lack of batted passes. That's potentially a reflection of how the front was coached. The Lions got only three deflections at the line of scrimmage from their tackles. Pittsburgh's Cam Heyward had 10, while 14 defensive tackles around the NFL had at least as many as Detroit's collective.

Beyond the pass rush, the run defense declined in 2024. That's surprising given the investment in Reader, one of the NFL's best run-stuffers in the league for the past several seasons. On 99 carries up the middle, opponents averaged 4.4 yards per pop. It was even worse when opposing backs ran behind their left guard. On those 20 attempts, the average damage ballooned to 6.15 yards per carry.

Finally, seeing such limited development from second-year player Brodric Martin was a shame. Yes, he was deemed a project when he was selected in the third round in 2023, but after making noticeable strides with his technique and consistency during training camp, it was disappointing he couldn't crack the rotation down the stretch, even with multiple injuries to the position group. A knee injury that cost him the first half of the season proved to be a more significant setback to his development than expected.

Long-term vision at position​

McNeill is the position group’s centerpiece, even if he's currently working his way back from a torn ACL. Prior to the injury, he remained on his four-year track of steady improvement. He might never be the caliber of game-wrecker as Aaron Donald or Chris Jones, but there’s Pro Bowl potential with McNeill.

The future pairings with McNeill are more murky. Onwuzurike is set to be a free agent, and his 2024 performance after three injury-plagued seasons might have priced him out of Detroit’s spending range.

There’s also no guarantee Reader is back. He’s a valuable locker room leader and reliable performer. Still, a $13 million cap hit that offers $8 million in spending power if he’s released is a discussion Detroit’s brass will need to navigate over the next couple of months.

O’Connor could and should be brought back as reasonably priced depth. Of course, there’s more interest in what the team’s younger talents will offer going forward. Martin’s development remains the key. He has all the physical gifts to be a dominant nose tackle in the NFL but has yet to show signs of being able to put the tools together. He’s got two years left on his rookie deal, but 2025 is setting up to be a make-or-break year.

The Lions will likely need to add to the room this offseason, with the draft being the best path to bolster the group in a cost-efficient manner. Based on pre-combine projections, some talent who could be available to Detroit in the first two days of the draft are Ohio State run-stuffer Tyleik Williams, South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders, Tennessee’s Omarr Norman-Lott, Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen and Texas’ Alfred Collins.

 

[BobbyLayne]

@TomPelissero

Former Stanford head coach David Shaw and the Lions have agreed to terms on a multiyear deal to hire him as passing game coordinator, per sources.

Shaw, 52, has worked with new OC John Morton before.

A big hire for Dan Campbell’s remodeled staff.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

We must now be important, we had our own bot for a short time.

 

[BobbyLayne]

We must now be important, we had our own bot for a short time.

not sure if I feel seen or attacked

 

[BobbyLayne]

Lions continue to replenish coaching staff, adding former Stanford coach Shaw as passing game coordinator​

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell has been reloading his staff nearly as quickly as it has lost several key pieces this offseason.

After the team formally announced Kelvin Sheppard's promotion to defensive coordinator and the re-hiring of John Morton as offensive coordinator, the Lions agreed to terms with longtime Stanford head coach David Shaw on Thursday. He will serve as the offense's passing game coordinator. The move was first reported by the NFL Network and confirmed by a source familiar with the agreement.

The move cements Tanner Engstrand's departure. Multiple outlets have reported he's joining former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn's staff in New York as the Jets offensive coordinator.


Shaw, 52, follows Morton to Detroit from Denver, where the former served as a senior personnel executive last season.

Broncos coach Sean Payton — a Campbell mentor — and Shaw's relationship dates back to 1997, when Payton was the team's quarterbacks coach and Shaw had his first NFL job as a quality control coach.

After one year in Philadelphia, Shaw worked four seasons with the Raiders, where he and Morton simultaneously served as quality control coaches on Jon Gruden's staff. Shaw was later promoted to coach the team's quarterbacks in 2001, his final season with the franchise.

Shaw went from the Raiders to the Ravens for another four-year stint. In Baltimore, he worked with the team's quarterbacks and wide receivers before replacing Morton as San Diego University's passing game coordinator under Jim Harbaugh in 2006.

Shaw followed Harbaugh to Stanford, working as the team's offensive coordinator from 2007-10. When Harbaugh left for the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, Shaw took over as the school's head coach. Shaw remained in that role for 12 seasons, compiling a 96-54 record, six top-25 finishes and five bowl wins. The team peaked with a Rose Bowl victory in 2016, finishing that season ranked No. 3.

During his tenure as Stanford’s head coach, the school produced dozens of NFL draft picks. That roster includes quarterback Andrew Luck, guard David DeCastro, tight end Zach Ertz and running back Christian McCaffrey.

Engstrad, who served as a graduate assistant during both Morton and Shaw's stints at San Diego, departs after joining the Lions as a low-level offensive assistant in 2020. He led the tight end room in 2022, replacing former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and held the passing game coordinator title the past two seasons.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Exit Interviews: St. Brown steady as ever, Williams arrives and Lions face short- and long-term uncertainty at WR3

The Lions bet on Jameson Williams as their No. 2 receiver and the former first-rounder delivered a 1000 yard season

Allen Park — To wrap up the Detroit Lions’ 2024 season, we’re doing a position-by-position evaluation of the roster. Today, we’re focusing on the play of the team’s wide receivers.

The straightforward stats

Amon-Ra St. Brown: 141 targets, 115 receptions, 1,263 yards, 12 touchdowns

Jameson Williams: 91 targets, 58 receptions, 1,001 yards, seven touchdowns

Tim Patrick: 44 targets, 33 receptions, 394 yards, three touchdowns

Kalif Raymond: 22 targets, 17 receptions, 215 yards, two touchdowns

Advanced metrics

Let’s start with St. Brown, who led NFL receivers in catch rate, hauling in 81.6% of his targets. He was also third in success rate, with 70.2% of those receptions gaining at least 4 yards on first down, 60% of the remaining distance on second down, or converting a third or fourth down. Not surprisingly, he finished second in the league with 73 grabs that resulted in a first down.

Williams provided an explosive element to Detroit’s offense. His six receptions of 40 yards or more ranked fourth in the NFL. He saw a team-high 14 deep-ball targets, and the average depth of those shot plays (35.1 yards) ranked sixth in the league.

Williams racked up 497 yards after the catch. His 8.6-YAC average ranked third among receivers. His average separation of 3.4 yards also paced Detroit’s receivers.

St. Brown continued to be the most heavily used receiver in the slot among Detroit’s corps, seeing a touch more than half of his snaps inside, followed by Williams, who was in the slot 35% of the time.

As a team, Detroit finished second only to Philadelphia with a 2.2% drop rate. The team’s four primary receivers combined to drop just eight passes.

BL Note - 5 in 17 g + 3 in the playoff loss

Best performance

The receivers fueled the offense's record-setting yardage output in a 52-6 victory over Jacksonville. St. Brown hauled in all 11 of his targets for 161 yards and his lone multi-score effort on the year. Williams added four catches for 124 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown.

Finally, Raymond and Patrick combined for five receptions for 56 yards on six targets, with Patrick delivering some quality run blocking, as well.

Worst performance

Williams had a decent day in the season-opener, catching five of the nine balls his direction for 121 yards — the first 100-yard performance of his career. The rest of the corps didn't do much.

St. Brown was the only other receiver to catch a pass. He finished with three receptions for 13 yards, having a 50/50 ball across the middle ripped from his hands for an interception.

That game occurred before the Lions elevated Patrick off the practice squad. Raymond filled the No. 3 role but wasn't targeted in 37 snaps. His only touch was a 12-yard run.

Where receiver play got better in 2024

What more is there to say about St. Brown, who repeated as a first-team All-Pro in 20024? On the season, Jared Goff had a 129.4 passer rating when targeting his favorite target. St. Brown continues to be efficient and reliable, taking that to new heights by catching 30 straight targets.

He trimmed his drops in half, and that aforementioned interception in the opener was the only time a defender picked off a pass intended for him.

Those improvements were subtle compared to Williams’ leaps in reliability and production.

Serving as Detroit’s No. 2 receiver, he showcased vastly improved hands, better deep-ball tracking and an expanded route tree, resulting in a trio of 100-yard performances and eight games with at least five receptions.

Areas of needed improvement

The wild thing about Williams is how much better he can get. It really boils down to consistency. Yes, his deep ball tracking is better, but he still takes a bad angle or loses one in the air every so often. Yes, the route tree expanded, but there's plenty of room to refine it. And there are still times when he needs to pump the brakes a bit to avoid running into a defender since he's not much of a tackle-breaker.

With St. Brown, the run blocking slipped a bit in 2024. No one is questioning the effort; maybe teams are simply expecting and anticipating his role in the ground game.

In terms of the third receiver, Patrick filled the role well. There aren't a lot of targets to go around with St. Brown, Williams, tight end Sam LaPorta and the team’s two-headed backfield monster. That calls for an unselfish player willing to do the dirty work and capable of cashing in on limited opportunities when the ball comes his way. Hauling in 75% of your targets and being a relentless blocker is what the doctor ordered.

That said, the Lions need to be better at finding that answer earlier than they did last season. The solution could be as simple as re-signing Patrick for another year.

Long-term vision at position

St. Brown is here for the foreseeable future. He is one of several foundational players who signed a lucrative, long-term extension this offseason. The franchise faces a subsequent decision regarding Williams, the charismatic speedster who has had an up-and-down start to his career due to some self-inflicted woes. The good news is that he's trending in a positive direction, both on and off the field.

The Lions can be patient with that decision.

Williams is under contract for next season, and the team holds a fifth-year option as part of his rookie deal. But the Lions have shown a propensity for wanting to get ahead of the curve with extensions.

What would it take to lock up Williams? The blueprint might be Jaylen Waddle's contract with Miami. After they picked up his fifth-year option, they added three additional years at nearly $85 million. Totaled, it’s around $25 million per season across the four seasons. Given the recent deals signed by Goff, St. Brown, Penei Sewell and Alim McNeill, and potential future pacts coming for Kerby Joseph and Aidan Hutchinson, there's definitely some cap gymnastics the franchise will need to navigate.

Back to the third receiver spot, Patrick is a quality stopgap. Still, he recently turned 31 years old. Not many receivers continue to produce after their 30th birthday, so the Lions should look to the middle rounds of the draft to restock the cupboard with a larger-framed option not afraid to block. Someone like Ole Miss' Tre Harris, LSU's Kyren Lacy, Tennessee's Dont'e Thornton Jr or Illinois' Pat Bryant might fit that bill.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Bobby, what is so frustrating when I read the running stats, and I will bring this up again because I believe it changed the game. Third and one on Washingtons 19 up 7-3. Ben calls for open backfield pass with zero threat of a run and Lions turn the ball over. At that point in time Lions were pushing Washington all over the field with Gibbs getting 5-6-7-8 yards a carry.

Third and 1 in playoff football get the first, keep the drive going. They could not stop the run. Instead of going up possibly 14-3 Lions are losing 10-7. Still pisses me off.

Agreed but I’m also not a fan of decrying a call because players didn’t execute. St Brown stumble threw the timing off, but that’s not what made it a catastrophe. Graham Glasgow being a turnstile allowed Dorance Armstrong almost a free run at Goff.

Think them having their left edge lined up at the right B Gap was a tell that we had a tendency to throw on 3rd & short?

The PassBlock grade for GG in the divisional round was 10.2 (100 scale) while allowing 9 pressures. Versus Buffalo he yielded 11 pressures, 10 of them to Ed Oliver. (Who, incidentally, has two career games of a PFF grade of 90 or more - both against Detroit. Remember the 2019 draft? Hock at 8, Oliver at 9, I think he gets pretty amped when he plays us.) His third worst Pass Blocking game of the year was versus Tampa Bay when he allowed 6 pressures (most to Vita Vea.)

I’m not saying we should be 19-0 but that’s a heck of a coincidence, eh? 54th out of 58 qualifying guards in pass pro.

 

[Da Guru]

Bobby, what is so frustrating when I read the running stats, and I will bring this up again because I believe it changed the game. Third and one on Washingtons 19 up 7-3. Ben calls for open backfield pass with zero threat of a run and Lions turn the ball over. At that point in time Lions were pushing Washington all over the field with Gibbs getting 5-6-7-8 yards a carry.

Third and 1 in playoff football get the first, keep the drive going. They could not stop the run. Instead of going up possibly 14-3 Lions are losing 10-7. Still pisses me off.

Agreed but I’m also not a fan of decrying a call because players didn’t execute. St Brown stumble threw the timing off, but that’s not what made it a catastrophe. Graham Glasgow being a turnstile allowed Dorance Armstrong almost a free run at Goff.

Think them having their left edge lined up at the right B Gap was a tell that we had a tendency to throw on 3rd & short?

The PassBlock grade for GG in the divisional round was 10.2 (100 scale) while allowing 9 pressures. Versus Buffalo he yielded 11 pressures, 10 of them to Ed Oliver. (Who, incidentally, has two career games of a PFF grade of 90 or more - both against Detroit. Remember the 2019 draft? Hock at 8, Oliver at 9, I think he gets pretty amped when he plays us.) His third worst Pass Blocking game of the year was versus Tampa Bay when he allowed 6 pressures (most to Vita Vea.)

I’m not saying we should be 19-0 but that’s a heck of a coincidence, eh? 54th out of 58 qualifying guards in pass pro.

I agree Glasgow got burned badly on that play but had they kept Monty in he might have picked up the pass rusher. Every score matters in a playoff game.

It was not totally on the play called but going empty in that situation made zero sense. Was just hoping they ran it once or twice for the one yard and kept drive going. They had Washington on their heels and the momentum changed in an instant and now the Lions were playing from behind.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Bobby, what is so frustrating when I read the running stats, and I will bring this up again because I believe it changed the game. Third and one on Washingtons 19 up 7-3. Ben calls for open backfield pass with zero threat of a run and Lions turn the ball over. At that point in time Lions were pushing Washington all over the field with Gibbs getting 5-6-7-8 yards a carry.

Third and 1 in playoff football get the first, keep the drive going. They could not stop the run. Instead of going up possibly 14-3 Lions are losing 10-7. Still pisses me off.

Agreed but I’m also not a fan of decrying a call because players didn’t execute. St Brown stumble threw the timing off, but that’s not what made it a catastrophe. Graham Glasgow being a turnstile allowed Dorance Armstrong almost a free run at Goff.

Think them having their left edge lined up at the right B Gap was a tell that we had a tendency to throw on 3rd & short?

The PassBlock grade for GG in the divisional round was 10.2 (100 scale) while allowing 9 pressures. Versus Buffalo he yielded 11 pressures, 10 of them to Ed Oliver. (Who, incidentally, has two career games of a PFF grade of 90 or more - both against Detroit. Remember the 2019 draft? Hock at 8, Oliver at 9, I think he gets pretty amped when he plays us.) His third worst Pass Blocking game of the year was versus Tampa Bay when he allowed 6 pressures (most to Vita Vea.)

I’m not saying we should be 19-0 but that’s a heck of a coincidence, eh? 54th out of 58 qualifying guards in pass pro.

I agree Glasgow got burned badly on that play but had they kept Monty in he might have picked up the pass rusher. Every score matters in a playoff game.

It was not totally on the play called but going empty in that situation made zero sense. Was just hoping they ran it once or twice for the one yard and kept drive going. They had Washington on their heels and the momentum changed in an instant and now the Lions were playing from behind.

Keep Monty in and S Chin (instead of LB Wagner) is covering Amon-Ra.

I’m in agreement thought - as I noted, the opposite side edge being in the B Gap - meaning their best pass rusher had switched from Penei (best protector) to Graham (by far their worst) should have been a freaking alert to kill the play call. Or for someone on the sidelines to know it was doomed & call a timeout.

They probably ran that play 50 times in 2024. Two people didn’t do their job. We all know if we go up 14-3 the Commanders probably never lead in that game.

But then again, give up 93 points in your last two losses, probably weren’t worthy of hosting the NFCCCG anyways. Combined 0 sacks and 5 QBs in the Bills/Commanders losses.

Hutch is Batman. Record setting pace across the board through 5 games. He needs a Robin on the other side, though. Been the same story three years running - if 97 isn’t getting home (or is out for the year), there is no one else who stepped up.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Speaking of Glasgow, a move back to RG and using Mahogany at LG might help if they move on from Zeitler? I'm assuming Glasgow numbers were better there?

 

[BobbyLayne]

Speaking of Glasgow, a move back to RG and using Mahogany at LG might help if they move on from Zeitler? I'm assuming Glasgow numbers were better there?

His numbers were much better a year ago at RG.

Zeitler was really great at RG but not sure they want to pony up for a 35 year old. Especially because the way GG is structured they wouldn’t save much by cutting him. Maybe Glasgow will restructure.



Mahogany played exclusively RG in college. He had a good game at LG at the Bears and a great start at RG v the Commanders - he and Penei were the 4th best and 2nd best among all players in the four Division Playoff games.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Fun tidbit from David Shaw's Wikipedia page: "Shaw was born in San Diego, California and moved with his family around the country following his father Willie's career as an NFL coach. Shaw played high school football at Rochester Adams High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan while his father coached for the Detroit Lions."

(on Wayne Fontes staff)

My best man went to Adams, and his younger brother played with David.

 

[jon_mx]

NFL Network has reported tight ends coach Steve Heiden is leaving to become Glenn's oline coach.

They also call Engstrand the favorite for OC.

That’s 8 departures if you’re keeping score at home.

Do people not realize that the Lions’ success is really due to Dan and Brad and Sheila?

You can take all our assistant coaches, but your organization won’t change until you put the right leadership in place.

That is where everything starts. And Dan Campbell is super involved in the offensive game plan, so I don't think there will be a huge difference. Ben was a genius at setting up plays, so that will be the biggest thing we might miss.

The defensive side is where the biggest shake up will come from. There were times when Glenn looked like he had the defense rolling, but then injuries devastated it. Once people get healthy, the Lions will have plenty of talent for a good defense and a shake up might not be a bad thing.

The hits were kind of larger than I hoped, but we still have some great positional coaches that have enough experience to step up. Not overly worried and even a little excited that a fresh start could be the best thing for the defense.

 

[jon_mx]

Can't help but think the losses far outweigh the gains. Also worried that Super Bowl window may have already closed.

Lol...no it absolutely has not. Dan Campbell was co-offensive coordinator but gave Ben Johnson all the credit. There will not be much change, and all the talent is locked in for a few years.

The Lions have not consistently played well on defense through Glenn's time here, in fact they were mostly bad. Defense is the biggest question mark, but having all your studs back and healthy is most the battle. Change always causes concern, but just having guys back who can get after the QB and CBs who can cover should make the Lions defense much better than what it was down the stretch.

With an elite offense which the Lions will absolutely have, they just need a top 10 to 15 defense and they will be legit contenders.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Exit Interviews: After keeping seven and playing 10, what does future hold for Detroit's linebacking​

To wrap up the Detroit Lions' 2024 season, we're evaluating the roster position by position. Today, we're focusing on the play of the team's linebackers.

The straightforward stats​

Jack Campbell: 17 games, 131 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five pass defenses, one forced fumble

Alex Anzalone: 10 games, 63 tackles, 1.0 sack, five pass defenses

Trevor Nowaske: 14 games, 23 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception

Ben Niemann: 17 games, 25 tackles, one pass defense, one fumble recovery

Malcolm Rodriguez: 10 games, 43 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one pass defense

Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 10 games, 14 tackles, one forced fumble

Derrick Barnes: Three games, 10 tackles, one pass defense

Ezekiel Turner: Nine games, 12 games, 0.5 sacks

Advanced metrics​

Many thought the Lions overdid it by keeping seven linebackers to start the season, but 10 ended up seeing the field for the team in 2024, including eight who banked more than 100 snaps. That's less than ideal.

Campbell was the constant, starting all 17 contests and playing 100% of the snaps in eight of the final nine games. His tackle numbers predictably jumped in his second season. It was equally encouraging how his whiff rate declined from 8.7% to 7.4%.

The Lions attempted to deploy Campbell more as a blitzer in 2024, but he wasn't particularly effective. On 124 rush attempts, he logged just 13 pressures. Compare that to Anzalone, who had 10 pressures with half the rush attempts.

PFF kindly graded Campbell in coverage, ranking him sixth among off-ball linebackers. The eye test and coverage stats don't necessarily back up that generous evaluation. Still, the numbers aren't as poor as they appear, given linebackers often surrender a lot of check-down throws. Campbell allowed 40 receptions the 51 times he was targeted in coverage for 423 yards, including 210 after the catch.

Nevertheless, 27 linebackers gave up more receiving yards in 2024, including Roquan Smith and Zaire Franklin, a pair of Pro Bowlers in the AFC. Fred Warner, another Pro Bowler, gave up one yard fewer than Campbell.

Best performance​

In the team's Week 7 victory over the previously undefeated Vikings, the corps came together for their best collective performance. Anzalone, Campbell, Rodriguez and Nowaske combined for 21 solo tackles (one whiff), 3.0 sacks and six total pressures on quarterback Sam Darnold.

In coverage, Anzalone allowed four catches for a measly 5 yards, while the rest of the group surrendered six receptions for 50.

Worst performance​

Depleted by injury after losing Anzalone and Rodriguez in the weeks leading up to the matchup, Detroit's linebackers played their part in the overall defensive short-circuiting in a Week 15 loss to Buffalo.

The group combined for three missed tackles, and Campbell, Turner and Kwon Alexander all got torched in coverage by Bills running back Ty Johnson.

On top of that, the Bills ran for 197 yards and four touchdowns in the victory.

Where linebacker play got better in 2024​

After taking a huge step forward in 2023, Barnes looked primed to take another in a contract year. But his early-season momentum was derailed by a Week 3 knee injury that put him on the shelf for the remainder of the campaign.

Due to injuries, Anzalone and Rodriguez were also prohibited from building on their previous season's success. Regardless, Anzalone's value was hammered home as the entire defense steadily regressed while he was out with a broken forearm.

The most significant improvements came from Campbell, who made a predictable jump in production and performance between his first and second seasons. Additionally, linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard, who was recently promoted to defensive coordinator, deserves credit for holding things together with a revolving door of pieces, many of which were added midstream.

Areas of needed improvement​

Regardless of what PFF has to say, Campbell has a lot of room for growth in coverage, particularly with how he reads the quarterback in zone coverage. He doesn't have a fully developed feel for what's happening behind him, and that's magnified when he's scrambling to his drop point after aggressively addressing the run fake on a play-action pass.

Some of that improvement can come naturally through film study and experience. Still, Campbell can better read the eyes of most quarterbacks while being wary of the rare veteran capable of manipulating second-level defenders by looking them off their spot.

A team concern was the inability to develop a capable backup SAM. Maybe that role evolves with Sheppard calling the defense, but with Barnes set to become a free agent, the deficiency has the potential to become even more glaring. Nowaske answered the bell despite logging zero defensive snaps as a rookie in 2023, but he was average against the run and struggled to consistently affect the pocket when rushing the passer from alignments along the line of scrimmage.

Long-term vision at position​

Did anyone forget what kind of physical anomaly Campbell is at the position? If so, let me remind you with an image.

Jack Campbell RAS

I don't love the term freak, but what else are you supposed to call that? Campbell has elite size, explosion, speed and agility. His ceiling continues to butt up against outer space. He's already being looked at as a top-10 player at his position, primarily due to his performance against the run and sound tackling. If he can continue to make strides in coverage, there will be Pro Bowl selections in the future.

Anzalone, meanwhile, remains a stabilizing force in the middle of Detroit's defense. He brings a unique ability to calm everything down before the snap and amp everybody up with his schematic knowledge and whistle-to-whistle intensity.

But how much sand is left in the hourglass for the captain? Anzalone will turn 31 early next season and is entering the final year of his contract. He'll be looking to cash in one more time, and he's earned that. But will Detroit re-up or focus on the roster's younger talent, namely Campbell, to step up and fill a potential leadership void?

Of more immediate concern is Barnes. The Lions patiently developed him through four seasons and face a decision on his future with the franchise. He's beloved by the coaching staff, particularly Sheppard, which might provide the extra push to bring him back.

Regarding the remaining depth chart, Rodriguez and Reeves-Maybin remain under contract for another season, while Nowaske is sure to be back as an exclusive rights free agent. Meanwhile, Niemann, Turner and Anthony Pittman will be unrestricted come March. It wouldn't be surprising to see any of those three make their way back to Detroit, but fresh blood is just as likely on the way.

Free agency starts six weeks before the draft, so Barnes' future in Detroit should be long decided by then. If the team adds an off-ball linebacker in the first three rounds, it could offer a strong hint about where things are heading with Anzalone.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Exit Interviews: Sam LaPorta offset Lions' decreased usage of team's tight ends with increased efficiency​

Wrapping up the Detroit Lions’ 2024 season, we’re doing a position-by-position evaluation of the roster. Today, we’ll focus on the play of the team’s tight ends.

The straightforward stats​

Sam LaPorta: 83 targets, 60 receptions, 726 yards, seven touchdowns

Brock Wright: 16 targets, 13 receptions, 100 yards, two touchdowns

Advanced metrics​

Due to a reliance on the backfield tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, plus the emergence of Jameson Williams, Detroit’s tight ends saw a significant decline in usage from the previous season. The group saw a drop in target rate from 22.5% to 18.6%. Overall, the team threw to a tight end on 8.7% of its offensive snaps, down from 11.5% in 2023.

After setting the franchise records for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns at his position as a rookie, LaPorta’s stat line took a correlating step back because of that decline in targets. Things were particularly sluggish early in the season while he was working his way back from a hamstring issue suffered during training camp.

But if we focus on the way he finished the year, LaPorta racked up 29 receptions for 335 yards across the final five games. That’s a full-season pace of 99 grabs and 1,139 yards, more in line with high-end preseason expectations.

Another silver lining is LaPorta was more impactful per catch, averaging 12.1 yards in his second season compared to 10.3 yards as a rookie. Most of that came from a 1.5-yard increase after the catch. His catch rate also improved slightly, from 71.7% to 72.3%, mainly due to trimming his drops by 80%.

As for Wright, he continues to be a block-first option. Of his 583 offensive snaps, more than 500 came off-tackle or in the backfield.

Best performance​

In the smashing of the Tennessee Titans in Week 8, LaPorta caught all six of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. Wright also chipped in an 8-yard scoring grab on his lone target. The pair added 29 run-blocking snaps on a day where the team averaged 6.8 yards per carry. LaPorta, in particular, delivered a quality block on Gibbs’ 70-yard touchdown run.

Worst performance​

As part of his early-season struggles, LaPorta was a ghost in Week 2 against Tampa Bay, catching two passes for 13 yards in a game where the team went 1-7 in the red zone. Wright didn’t draw a target in the loss.

Also, for what it’s worth, LaPorta was assessed his worst run-blocking grade of the season by Pro Football Focus in that matchup.

Where tight end play got better in 2024​

In the advanced metrics section, we touched on several of LaPorta’s improvements. Despite his overall decline in counting stats, his efficiency metrics improved in his second season.

When tallied, the added yards per reception, increased catch rate, and declining drop rate gave quarterback Jared Goff a 124.2 passer rating when targeting LaPorta 126.3 in 2024. That’s up from 111.3 the previous season, hammering home his reliability for the QB.

LaPorta also developed into more of a downfield threat in his second season. As a rookie, he caught just three passes on throws 20 or more yards beyond the line of scrimmage. He more than doubled that with seven such receptions (on nine targets) in 2024.

And while it’s difficult to quantify, beyond Detroit’s overall improvements running the ball and an increased reliance on zone schemes, LaPorta more regularly showed up on film executing his blocking assignment. Despite being relatively undersized at the position (245 pounds), his effort and offseason work show up on tape.

Areas of needed improvement​

One of the few under-the-hood areas where we saw a dip in LaPorta's performance from his rookie season was his ability to make a defender miss. In previous interviews, he stated his mindset is never to be brought down by the first defender. But despite an increase in yards after the catch in 2024, his broken-tackle rate dropped significantly. When the targets are down, that's the best way to get more bang for your buck.

As for blocking, LaPorta will never be elite, but it will always be part of the job. He'll need to continue to find ways to improve his assignment execution.

Wright also has a lot of room to grow as a blocker, which is more urgent given his larger frame and responsibilities within the scheme. There are too many instances on blocks in space, whether pulling or climbing to the second level, where he fails even momentarily to slow the defender, let alone wall them off.

Again, it's difficult to quantify, but according to PFF, Wright's run-blocking grade ranked him 66th at his position, behind LaPorta.

Long-term vision at position​

LaPorta has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and the team won’t be able to negotiate an extension until after the 2025 season. It’ll be another massive one for the front office to navigate after former Lion T.J. Hockenson set a likely floor with a four-year, $66 million extension from the Vikings before the 2023 season. With cap inflation, LaPorta could be looking at something closer to $18 million per season, which would reset the current market.

Wright, meanwhile, will be entering the second season of a three-year contract the Lions matched last offseason after the San Francisco 49ers signed him to an offer sheet as a restricted free agent. With a dead cap number exceeding his hit in 2025 — meaning it would cost the team more to cut him — there’s little chance things change at the top of Detroit’s depth chart next year.

Things could shift in 2026 when Wright’s cap hit swells to $4.85 million, and his release offers $2.7 million in savings. Regardless, that evaluation doesn’t need to happen for another year.

In the meantime, there should be competition for the third tight end job in 2025. Parker Hesse initially filled that role last season before Shane Zylstra took the job. The latter is set to be a free agent.

Not counting offensive tackles such as Dan Skipper checking in as eligible receivers, tight ends not named Wright and LaPorta combined for 193 offensive snaps and a single reception in 2024. If the team can unearth a dominant run blocker and capable special teamer via free agency or the draft, there’s an opportunity for a third tight end to have a greater impact.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Morocco Pavilion at Epcot

 

[BobbyLayne]

Exit Interviews: Revamped CB personnel allowed Lions to reshape defense to vision; decision on Davis looms

After overhauling the room, the Lions were able to play far more man-to-man, the coaching staff's preferred coverage scheme. But we're about to learn…

2 HRS AGO • JUSTIN ROGERS
Wrapping up the Detroit Lions’ 2024 season, we’re doing a position-by-position evaluation of the roster. Today, we’ll focus on the play of the team’s cornerbacks.

The straightforward stats​

Carlton Davis: 13 games, 697 defensive snaps, 56 tackles, 11 pass defenses, two interceptions, one forced fumble

Terrion Arnold: 17 games, 948 defensive snaps, 60 tackles, 10 pass defenses, one fumble recovery

Amik Robertson: 17 games, 629 defensive snaps, 50 tackles, eight pass defenses, three forced fumbles

Kindle Vildor: 17 games, 244 defensive snaps, 16 tackles, three pass defenses

Advanced metrics​

The Lions overhauled their cornerback personnel ahead of the season, intent on playing more man coverage. That plan paid off, with Detroit running man schemes a league-high 44% of passing plays, up from 28% the previous season.

The new personnel proved sticky in coverage, with Davis, Arnold and Robertson each holding opposing quarterbacks to a completion percentage under 60.2%. Compare those figures to the previous season, when outside corners Cam Sutton and Jerry Jacobs gave up catches on 67.4% and 66.2% of targets, respectively.

The alteration in aggression did come with an expected consequence, one that showed up more early in the season than late. The Lions paced the league with 19 defensive pass interference infractions. Arnold was the primary culprit, drawing seven flags, followed by Davis with five.

Still, it’s notable that more than 70% of the rookie’s DPI calls came in the first four games.

Best performance​

Detroit's cornerbacks intercepted only two passes last season. Those both came courtesy of Carlton Davis in a primetime win over Houston. Without them, it's unlikely the Lions rally to win that game.

Davis picked off Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud twice in the second half, including once in the end zone. Those highlighted a strong overall day in coverage for the Lions, with the trio of corners allowing just eight receptions for 74 yards on 14 targets. The only black eye from the outing was a 41-yard pass interference penalty against Arnold in the second quarter that led to a field goal.

Worst performance​

Still building chemistry after a series of minor injuries throughout training camp, Detroit's cornerbacks didn't put forth a quality effort in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Matthew Stafford picked on Davis, targeting him 13 times and completing nine of those throws for 114 yards. The veteran didn't give up more than six completions in a game the rest of the year.

As for Arnold, it was a debut to forget. He surrendered eight catches on 10 targets and drew a pair of pass interference calls in the end zone, including one on third down that set up a Rams touchdown.

Robertson didn't play a ton in the contest as the Lions leaned on base personnel packages. Still, the nickel got beat for a 20-yard catch into the red zone in the final minute of the first half. He was let off the hook for the coverage breakdown when Kerby Joseph intercepted Stafford four snaps later.

Where cornerback play got better in 2024​

Former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn prefers man coverage, but his previous personnel didn’t allow him to lean into that preference. This collective of talent did.

Davis, acquired in an offseason trade by general manager Brad Holmes for a third-round pick, proved to be what the team needed before his year was abruptly ended by a jaw injury. Not only did he deliver on expectations in coverage, but he was stellar in run support.

That statement universally applies to the room and was particularly demonstrated by the scrappy Robertson, who more than adequately replaced Brian Branch in the slot after the second-year defensive back was shifted to safety to begin this season.

Detroit’s depth was also better. When Davis or Arnold was forced from the lineup by injury, Robertson showed he was up to moving outside, emphatically demonstrating that when he met the challenge of covering All-Pro Justin Jefferson in the season finale. Even Kindle Vildor — who was vilified for a costly blunder in the previous year’s NFC Championship — took a big step forward, allowing a passer rating of 66.9 when targeted, the best among Detroit’s corners.

Areas of needed improvement​

Arnold improved significantly as his debut season progressed, but the rookie still has plenty of room for growth. His most notable evolution was reducing his early-season handsyness — an issue for many rookie cornerbacks. However, he continued to struggle with his footwork and balance when mirroring routes, making him susceptible to inside releases, particularly slant and dig patterns.

The other big area of needed improvement is ball production. Playing man coverage typically offers increased opportunities to get your hands on the ball. Still, no Detroit cornerback cracked the top 20 in pass defenses. Davis, who paced the room, finished with fewer than half the breakups of league leader Derek Stingley Jr.

Even worse was the lack of interceptions. Obviously, Detroit still racked up plenty of picks with Joseph patrolling center field. The ball-hawking safety led the league with nine interceptions. Regardless, Arnold, Davis and Robertson had opportunities beyond the two Davis snagged against Houston but failed to capitalize.

Long-term vision at position​

Was Davis a rental? We're about to find out. While the Lions were handing out extensions left and right last year, they didn't award one to the veteran corner. He's tracking toward a multi-year deal that could pay him in the ballpark of $16-18 million per season. It would be challenging to work that figure into Detroit's future cap situation.

Arguably, Robertson's play on the outside at the end of the season makes Davis' potential departure easier to accept. In the second season of his two-year contract, Robertson’s cap number will more than double to $6.4 million, which is still a bargain given what he provided the Lions in 2024.

That opens the door for Ennis Rakestraw to take over the nickel job. Interestingly, the team was ready to put the second-round draft pick in that spot over Robertson in the early stages of the season, but a pre-game muscle strain knocked Rakestraw out of the lineup. While the rookie recovered, the veteran put a stranglehold on the job.

In terms of depth, the Lions first have to make decisions on whether to bring back Vildor, Khalil Dorsey and Emmanuel Mosely, who are all headed to free agency. If Vildor doesn't draw outside offers for significantly more than the veteran minimum, running it back would be justifiable. The same goes for Dorsey — who is rehabbing his way back from a broken leg — because of the special teams value he brings to the table.

As for Moseley, as good as he's been for the team's younger cornerbacks behind the scenes, he's missed most of the past three seasons with injuries. It's probably time to try something different with that roster spot.

Pending the Davis decision, there's always room to add a cornerback in the draft, potentially as early as the first round.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

@BobbyLayne are you gonna make it to Baltimore next year for the game? Depending on the date, I may try to make it over there if you'd like to meet up for some grub.

 

[BobbyLayne]

@BobbyLayne are you gonna make it to Baltimore next year for the game? Depending on the date, I may try to make it over there if you'd like to meet up for some grub.

If it's September/October, for sure.

That sounds great, let's DM after the dates release in early May.

 

[Payne]

Can't help but think the losses far outweigh the gains. Also worried that Super Bowl window may have already closed.

Lol...no it absolutely has not. Dan Campbell was co-offensive coordinator but gave Ben Johnson all the credit. There will not be much change, and all the talent is locked in for a few years.

The Lions have not consistently played well on defense through Glenn's time here, in fact they were mostly bad. Defense is the biggest question mark, but having all your studs back and healthy is most the battle. Change always causes concern, but just having guys back who can get after the QB and CBs who can cover should make the Lions defense much better than what it was down the stretch.

With an elite offense which the Lions will absolutely have, they just need a top 10 to 15 defense and they will be legit contenders.

Well, that is your opinion. Am I not allowed to have mine?

This team got decimated. Also have a large list of free agents. Davis rumored to be heavily pursued this off season.

I understand many fans believe this is just beginning. Don't get me wrong, I want this to last as well.
But I'm also a realist. O line is another year older. Goff is another year older. Players going to leave in free agency.
Some big contracts coming up.

Vikings are good
Packers are good
Bears only will get better
Philly obviously good.
Washington only will get better

The past two season may very well have been their best two shots.

 

[Payne]

Let's show we are serious and go get Myles

 

[King of the Jungle]

Can't help but think the losses far outweigh the gains. Also worried that Super Bowl window may have already closed.

Lol...no it absolutely has not. Dan Campbell was co-offensive coordinator but gave Ben Johnson all the credit. There will not be much change, and all the talent is locked in for a few years.

The Lions have not consistently played well on defense through Glenn's time here, in fact they were mostly bad. Defense is the biggest question mark, but having all your studs back and healthy is most the battle. Change always causes concern, but just having guys back who can get after the QB and CBs who can cover should make the Lions defense much better than what it was down the stretch.

With an elite offense which the Lions will absolutely have, they just need a top 10 to 15 defense and they will be legit contenders.

Well, that is your opinion. Am I not allowed to have mine?

This team got decimated. Also have a large list of free agents. Davis rumored to be heavily pursued this off season.

I understand many fans believe this is just beginning. Don't get me wrong, I want this to last as well.
But I'm also a realist. O line is another year older. Goff is another year older. Players going to leave in free agency.
Some big contracts coming up.

Vikings are good
Packers are good
Bears only will get better
Philly obviously good.
Washington only will get better

The past two season may very well have been their best two shots.

I think it should be considered that we can also get better as well. Healthier for starters. The other positive is Holmes has improved this squad every year through the draft and free agency. There will be bumps in the road as there are with a good roster and losing players, however I have full belief Holmes is prepared and has a plan.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Let's show we are serious and go get Myles

Would obviously be awesome to pair him with Hutch, but I doubt they could make the money work. Whoever gets Garrett is going to have to sign him to an extension, and the Lions already have big contracts either signed or that will need to be signed in the next couple years: Goff, ARSB, Penei, Hutch, possibly Jamo. From what I understand, next year they still have a lot of money to play with, but starting in 2026 Holmes will really need to maintain his draft hot streak in order to ensure they still have lots of cheap young talent coming in the door

 

[BobbyLayne]

Myles Garrett has requested a trade; let's talk through the hypothetical of Detroit as a destination​

He’s likely been pondering about it for a while.

Still, it can’t be entirely coincidental that Myles Garrett — the Cleveland Browns All-Pro edge rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year — requested a trade a day after the Pro Bowl.

Nothing crystallizes perceptions of your professional situation quite like comparing notes with your peers. Several weeks after saying he hoped to finish his career with the Browns, and days after the team’s general manager Andrew Berry told reporters he would reject an offer of two first-rounders for the star defender, Garrett has formally requested a trade.

Here’s his complete statement, released Monday:

"As a kid dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal fuels me today more than ever," Garrett wrote. "My love for the community of Northeast Ohio and the incredible fanbase of the Cleveland Browns has made this one of the toughest decisions of my life. These past eight years have shaped me into the man that I am today.

"While I've loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won't allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.

"With that in mind, I have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns."

Step aside, Luka Doncic: The NFL is unwilling to wait until the Super Bowl to regain control of the news cycle.

Requests don’t always lead to deals, but Garrett’s appears to be thought out and well-timed for the Browns to meet his demand.

And if Cleveland acquiesces and puts Garrett on the block, approximately 31 teams should be interested. Of note, he doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but given the Super Bowl aspirations laid out in the request, the list of acceptable destinations shrinks considerably.

You know why you’re here. You’re no different than the fanbases of the other potential suitors.

You need to know whether the Detroit Lions have a realistic shot of landing Garrett. And since it’s going to be one of the hottest topics of the offseason, we might as well address it head-on.

The short answer is yes. The Lions absolutely have the resources and cap space to make a run at it. The long answer is considerably more complicated.

Let's start with the compensation.

Talks will undoubtedly start with two first-round picks. That alone is unlikely to be enough, certainly for the Lions. It's important to point out that Detroit's first-round selections aren't worth nearly as much as, say, San Francisco's. The Lions select 28th this year. The 49ers, after a down year, hold pick No. 11. The latter asset is approximately twice as valuable.

The easy comp for what Garrett can bring the Browns will be the return the Raiders received for Khalil Mack in 2018. When that deal was made ahead of the 2018 season, Mack was a little younger than Garrett is now, a two-time All-Pro, and a former Defensive Player of the Year.

To acquire Mack, the Bears sent the Raiders two first-round picks, a future third and a future sixth. The Bears also got back a second-rounder, softening the overall cost. The Bears were coming off a 5-11 season and had a new coach, so the Raiders were likely banking on the first-round selections being better than they ended up: 24th in 2019 and 19th in 2020.

Additionally, Mack required a new contract, one that made him the highest-paid defender in the league. Garrett may also be looking for a new deal, but as it stands, he has two years remaining with cap hits of $19.7 million and $20.4 million. The extra year on contractual control increases his value.

So what could the Lions offer beyond two first-round picks to sweeten the pot? Well, obviously, more draft equity. That could be a third first-rounder. Or two seconds. But that's entering into territory that runs counter to the roster-building philosophy under general manager Brad Holmes.

Last month, referencing his history, Holmes said he wouldn't hesitate using draft picks to trade for the "right" veteran, but he closed his answer on the topic with this:

"We've always said that we're going to build through the draft, and I think that's why we are in the position that we are in from a 'window standpoint' of having the comfort to keep building like we have been."

Alternatively, the Lions could add a player to a couple of high-round draft choices. And no, we're not talking about the over-the-top and universally mocked scenario proposed by former GM Mike Tannenbaum last November, when he pitched the Lions send the Browns three firsts, a second and running back Jahmyr Gibbs for Garrett.

On the other hand, the player can't be Brodric Martin or Hendon Hooker. The backup QB could be added to the package if the Browns asked for him, but it doesn't do much to balance the compensation scale. It has to be a legitimate, high-ceiling, cost-controlled talent. We're talking about someone who would make you uncomfortable to discuss. Would you give up a first, a second and Jameson Williams? How about Brian Branch? Sam LaPorta?

Like I said, it's uncomfortable, but these are the types of talents it likely takes to move the needle for the Browns, assuming you don't want to include a third first-rounder. It's also the type of player nearing a massive extension that could better stabilize the team's long-term cap situation to more easily absorb Garrett's remaining contract and potentially sign him beyond 2026.

I’m sure some of you are scoffing at the hypothetical price tag, just hopefully not as much as you did when you heard Tannenbaum’s proposal. His was hyperbolic, but our points are the same: The league’s best defensive player won’t come at a discount.

This is not all that different than the Lions getting two firsts, a third and quarterback Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford.

If the Browns choose to trade Garrett, expect a bidding war. Picking so late in the first round, with lofty expectations putting them in a position to be picking similarly late next year, puts the Lions at a disadvantage. It’s a matter of how far Holmes would be willing to go. Just don’t be surprised if the asking price is a bridge too far for Detroit’s GM.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Myles Garrett has requested a trade; let's talk through the hypothetical of Detroit as a destination​

He’s likely been pondering about it for a while.

Still, it can’t be entirely coincidental that Myles Garrett — the Cleveland Browns All-Pro edge rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year — requested a trade a day after the Pro Bowl.

Nothing crystallizes perceptions of your professional situation quite like comparing notes with your peers. Several weeks after saying he hoped to finish his career with the Browns, and days after the team’s general manager Andrew Berry told reporters he would reject an offer of two first-rounders for the star defender, Garrett has formally requested a trade.

Here’s his complete statement, released Monday:

"As a kid dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal fuels me today more than ever," Garrett wrote. "My love for the community of Northeast Ohio and the incredible fanbase of the Cleveland Browns has made this one of the toughest decisions of my life. These past eight years have shaped me into the man that I am today.

"While I've loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won't allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.

"With that in mind, I have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns."

Step aside, Luka Doncic: The NFL is unwilling to wait until the Super Bowl to regain control of the news cycle.

Requests don’t always lead to deals, but Garrett’s appears to be thought out and well-timed for the Browns to meet his demand.

And if Cleveland acquiesces and puts Garrett on the block, approximately 31 teams should be interested. Of note, he doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but given the Super Bowl aspirations laid out in the request, the list of acceptable destinations shrinks considerably.

You know why you’re here. You’re no different than the fanbases of the other potential suitors.

You need to know whether the Detroit Lions have a realistic shot of landing Garrett. And since it’s going to be one of the hottest topics of the offseason, we might as well address it head-on.

The short answer is yes. The Lions absolutely have the resources and cap space to make a run at it. The long answer is considerably more complicated.

Let's start with the compensation.

Talks will undoubtedly start with two first-round picks. That alone is unlikely to be enough, certainly for the Lions. It's important to point out that Detroit's first-round selections aren't worth nearly as much as, say, San Francisco's. The Lions select 28th this year. The 49ers, after a down year, hold pick No. 11. The latter asset is approximately twice as valuable.

The easy comp for what Garrett can bring the Browns will be the return the Raiders received for Khalil Mack in 2018. When that deal was made ahead of the 2018 season, Mack was a little younger than Garrett is now, a two-time All-Pro, and a former Defensive Player of the Year.

To acquire Mack, the Bears sent the Raiders two first-round picks, a future third and a future sixth. The Bears also got back a second-rounder, softening the overall cost. The Bears were coming off a 5-11 season and had a new coach, so the Raiders were likely banking on the first-round selections being better than they ended up: 24th in 2019 and 19th in 2020.

Additionally, Mack required a new contract, one that made him the highest-paid defender in the league. Garrett may also be looking for a new deal, but as it stands, he has two years remaining with cap hits of $19.7 million and $20.4 million. The extra year on contractual control increases his value.

So what could the Lions offer beyond two first-round picks to sweeten the pot? Well, obviously, more draft equity. That could be a third first-rounder. Or two seconds. But that's entering into territory that runs counter to the roster-building philosophy under general manager Brad Holmes.

Last month, referencing his history, Holmes said he wouldn't hesitate using draft picks to trade for the "right" veteran, but he closed his answer on the topic with this:

"We've always said that we're going to build through the draft, and I think that's why we are in the position that we are in from a 'window standpoint' of having the comfort to keep building like we have been."

Alternatively, the Lions could add a player to a couple of high-round draft choices. And no, we're not talking about the over-the-top and universally mocked scenario proposed by former GM Mike Tannenbaum last November, when he pitched the Lions send the Browns three firsts, a second and running back Jahmyr Gibbs for Garrett.

On the other hand, the player can't be Brodric Martin or Hendon Hooker. The backup QB could be added to the package if the Browns asked for him, but it doesn't do much to balance the compensation scale. It has to be a legitimate, high-ceiling, cost-controlled talent. We're talking about someone who would make you uncomfortable to discuss. Would you give up a first, a second and Jameson Williams? How about Brian Branch? Sam LaPorta?

Like I said, it's uncomfortable, but these are the types of talents it likely takes to move the needle for the Browns, assuming you don't want to include a third first-rounder. It's also the type of player nearing a massive extension that could better stabilize the team's long-term cap situation to more easily absorb Garrett's remaining contract and potentially sign him beyond 2026.

I’m sure some of you are scoffing at the hypothetical price tag, just hopefully not as much as you did when you heard Tannenbaum’s proposal. His was hyperbolic, but our points are the same: The league’s best defensive player won’t come at a discount.

This is not all that different than the Lions getting two firsts, a third and quarterback Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford.

If the Browns choose to trade Garrett, expect a bidding war. Picking so late in the first round, with lofty expectations putting them in a position to be picking similarly late next year, puts the Lions at a disadvantage. It’s a matter of how far Holmes would be willing to go. Just don’t be surprised if the asking price is a bridge too far for Detroit’s GM.

These are all good points. I keep going back to the fact that, as much as Holmes has nailed the draft the past few years, it's going to be even more important to do that in the next few as their stars get more expensive. If you're paying your top players a huge chunk of the cap, you better have some young stars on rookie deals to fill out your roster.

Trading away most of that draft capital for yet another huge contract makes that challenge significantly harder

 

[BobbyLayne]

Today in Lions Trivia:

Before Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who was the last Detroit coordinator to leave for a head coaching opportunity with another NFL team?

Spoiler: Answer

1963 - Defensive Coordinator Don Shula left after two seasons to become the Baltimore Colts HC. At 33, he was the youngest head coach ever at the time.

He won Coach of the Year 3 times in his 7 years there, before moving on to the Dolphins in 1970, where he became a legend over 26 seasons.

He holds numerous records including the perfect 17-0 season, back to back SB championships, and the most career wins in NFL history.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Brad Holmes has won back to back Executive of the Year awards from both the PFWA and the Sporting News.

Keep them picks.

10 years a Scout, 8 years as Director of Scouting, 4 years of good to great drafts. I like the odds of him finding talent.

 

[Moonlight]

Can't help but think the losses far outweigh the gains. Also worried that Super Bowl window may have already closed.

Lol...no it absolutely has not. Dan Campbell was co-offensive coordinator but gave Ben Johnson all the credit. There will not be much change, and all the talent is locked in for a few years.

The Lions have not consistently played well on defense through Glenn's time here, in fact they were mostly bad. Defense is the biggest question mark, but having all your studs back and healthy is most the battle. Change always causes concern, but just having guys back who can get after the QB and CBs who can cover should make the Lions defense much better than what it was down the stretch.

With an elite offense which the Lions will absolutely have, they just need a top 10 to 15 defense and they will be legit contenders.

Well, that is your opinion. Am I not allowed to have mine?

This team got decimated. Also have a large list of free agents. Davis rumored to be heavily pursued this off season.

I understand many fans believe this is just beginning. Don't get me wrong, I want this to last as well.
But I'm also a realist. O line is another year older. Goff is another year older. Players going to leave in free agency.
Some big contracts coming up.

Vikings are good
Packers are good
Bears only will get better
Philly obviously good.I
Washington only will get better

The past two season may very well have been their best two shots.

The Lions had two great opportunities to make it to the SuperBowl both ended in disappointment. The challenge to come is whether they are a perennial contender as opposed to a good up and coming team that shot its wad.
The teams that are constant contenders have had excellent front offices and ownership. Thinking of the Chiefs, Ravens, 9ers, Eagles. Also throw in the Packers and Rams and Steelers.
The Lions continue to be underrated because of their dreadful history under WC Ford and not making it to the SB yet. I would bet on them being perennial contenders as long as Holmes, Campbell and Sheila remain together. The evidence is the transformation of the teams culture, winning percentage, obtaining free agents that contribute and not drafting or playing scared.
The Lions are willing to go against the grain and take calculated risks. They were ahead of the trend of going for it on 4th down, emphasizing the value of running back by drafting Gibbs so high and a high use of trick plays.
Regarding going for it on 4th down Cowherd had some stats that showed that the best teams go for it the most on 4th down. On defense last year the Lions played man defense more than any other team. High risk but high reward. Again an emphasis on aggression.
Taking into account all the challenges the Lions overcame to go from being door mats to being the number one seed in the NFC I don't see why the same leadership can't continue to be successful. It's just a different set of challenges.

 

[Yogibear]

From Eric Edholm of NFL.com:

If the Lions' defensive concerns run deeper than just the rash of injuries they suffered down the stretch, then adding one of the NFL's premier defenders could be an option. They've already lost Aaron Glenn this offseason, so giving new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard a blue-chip piece up front might not be the worst idea ever hatched. The Lions could make it work, cost-wise, they appear entrenched as contenders for the foreseeable future, and GM Brad Holmes has never backed down from making risky, franchise-altering moves. It's hard not to drool at the possibility of Aidan Hutchinson rushing from one side of the line and Myles Garrett crashing in from the other. The NFC North is loaded with electric offenses. Garrett & Hutch would give the Lions the best edge duo in the NFL (not to mention, elite buddy-cop skit potential).

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

From Eric Edholm of NFL.com:

If the Lions' defensive concerns run deeper than just the rash of injuries they suffered down the stretch, then adding one of the NFL's premier defenders could be an option. They've already lost Aaron Glenn this offseason, so giving new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard a blue-chip piece up front might not be the worst idea ever hatched. The Lions could make it work, cost-wise, they appear entrenched as contenders for the foreseeable future, and GM Brad Holmes has never backed down from making risky, franchise-altering moves. It's hard not to drool at the possibility of Aidan Hutchinson rushing from one side of the line and Myles Garrett crashing in from the other. The NFC North is loaded with electric offenses. Garrett & Hutch would give the Lions the best edge duo in the NFL (not to mention, elite buddy-cop skit potential).

He makes a strong case for why it would be good for the Lions to get Garrett for free. But he doesn’t address the notion of trade offs at all

 

[Payne]

Let's show we are serious and go get Myles

Would obviously be awesome to pair him with Hutch, but I doubt they could make the money work. Whoever gets Garrett is going to have to sign him to an extension, and the Lions already have big contracts either signed or that will need to be signed in the next couple years: Goff, ARSB, Penei, Hutch, possibly Jamo. From what I understand, next year they still have a lot of money to play with, but starting in 2026 Holmes will really need to maintain his draft hot streak in order to ensure they still have lots of cheap young talent coming in the door

No offense, but I'm tired of hearing this argument. Other teams somehow manage to do this.
If Holmes is as great as everyone thinks, he should have the ability to pull this off too.

Are we supposed to sit and watch Philly trade for him? Or San Fran? Some great team with their own cap issues is going to land this guy.
Why can't it be us for once?

 

[BobbyLayne]

Exit Interviews: Run blocking improved, protection dipped as Lions' face offseason decisions at guard​

Wrapping up the Detroit Lions’ 2024 season, we’re doing a position-by-position evaluation of the roster. Today, we’ll focus on the play of the team’s offensive line.

The straightforward stats​

Each of the starting five appeared in at least 14 games in 2024, with four making 16 or more starts and logging more than 90% of the offensive snaps. The team utilized a handful of backups throughout the year, with Dan Skipper, Christian Mahogany and Kayode Awosika being called upon to make spot starts.

Run blocking played a key role in the team rushing for the franchise's most yards since 1981 and the most yards per carry since Barry Sanders topped 2,000 in 1997. Regarding pass protection, the team allowed 152 pressures and 33 sacks, both ranking in the top half of the league.

Advanced metrics​

When you look at the pass-blocking efficiency compared to pressures allowed, the numbers aren’t nearly as good, given the Lions ranked 23rd in dropbacks last season. Pressures are subjective, assessed differently by various entities, but the team ranked in the bottom half of the league in pressure rate via most tracking services.

Left guard Graham Glasgow was a weak point. After a stellar campaign in his return to Detroit the previous season, his play slipped after he was moved to the left side of the line in 2024. He allowed a team-high 36 pressures while left tackle Taylor Decker surrendered a unit-worst eight sacks, matching his 2023 total.

When it came to running the ball, the Lions utilized far more zone-blocking schemes than the previous year. That reflects not only the line’s athleticism but also how it best suited the backs. The results are difficult to argue. The ground game improved its average yards before contact from 2.5 to 2.6.

Best performance​

It’s going to be difficult to top a game like the one Detroit’s offensive line had against Jacksonville. The team scored touchdowns with its first seven possessions and racked up a record number of yards in a game.

In terms of the blocking, quarterback Jared Goff wasn’t sacked. He was pressured only eight times while racking up 412 yards through the air, with an offensive lineman responsible for just five of those pressures. Additionally, running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined to average 5.5 yards per carry and scored three times.

Worst performance​

The loss to the Buffalo Bills just keeps showing up in these season reviews.

Let’s start with the ground game, which the Lions eventually had to abandon as their deficit grew. Gibbs had a season-low 31 yards on eight carries, and the team’s success rate when handing it off was a dreadful 31%.

In terms of protecting Goff, the quarterback managed to rack up a season-high 494 yards while playing from behind all day. Still, he was under duress much of the afternoon, facing pressure on 23 of his 64 (!) dropbacks. He suffered three sacks and was hit another seven times.

Detroit’s interior tandem of Glasgow and All-Pro center Frank Ragnow struggled trying to contain Buffalo defensive tackle Ed Oliver. The blockers combined to allow 16 pressures, four hits and two sacks.

Where the blocking got better in 2024​

Detroit's offensive line was already viewed as one of the best in the league coming into the year, but the unit took its run blocking to another level in 2024. The group refined its schemes and was able to lean into Montgomery and Gibbs' abilities. That improved production and efficiency further unlocked the play-action and deep passing elements of the offense.

As coach Dan Campbell predicted in March, the addition of Kevin Zeitler offered improvement from the steadily reliable Jonah Jackson, who departed for a big-money offer from the Rams in free agency. And the team's depth also got better with the late-season emergence of Mahogany.

The rookie emphatically stated his case to be moved into the starting lineup next year following a pair of stellar outings, including stepping in for an injured Zeitler in the postseason.

Areas of needed improvement​

The pass protection took a step back, arguably to the man. Decker's struggles were mostly early in the year, which is encouraging, but Glasgow never rediscovered his 2023 form. Was it the result of the veteran guard trying to play through injury? Maybe. Regardless, the Lions might need to consider a shakeup on the left side in 2025.

Ragnow continued to play at an All-Pro level, yet delivered a couple of uncharacteristic duds against Tampa Bay and Buffalo, where he was overwhelmed by the strength of Vita Vea and the quickness of Oliver. Even the typically dominant Penei Sewell was responsible for allowing 29 pressures, the most since his rookie year.

Given Goff is one of the league's least mobile quarterbacks — he attempted the fewest scrambles and averaged the least amount of yards on those runs — it's an area that the unit needs to tighten if it wants to re-establish itself as the league's gold standard.

Long-term vision at position​

The team has nothing to worry about at right tackle or center. Ragnow, 28, heads into the offseason feeling as good as he has physically in years, while Sewell remains an elite talent who won’t turn 25 until October.

Decker also isn’t going anywhere. He might have an occasional rough day at the office. Still, he earned a three-year extension from the team last offseason, locking him into the blindside job for the immediate future. The team did spend the year developing Giovanni Manu behind the scenes, and late-season reports were encouraging, but he’s at least another year away from seriously pushing to start.

Detroit’s question marks are at the two guard spots. Glasgow is struggling, and Zeitler is set to become a free agent. It stands to reason Mahogany will take one of their jobs, but which one?

The fiscally responsible approach would be letting Zeitler walk and plugging Mahogany in at right guard, where he dominated for three seasons at Boston College.

The alternatives would be flipping Glasgow and Mahogany, which would not help if the veteran’s decline is due to an erosion of health and skill at 32 years old. Or the Lions could cut Glasgow, eat the $5.3 million cap hit, and backfill the hole by re-signing Zeitler or using an early or mid-round draft pick on a guard.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Let's show we are serious and go get Myles

Would obviously be awesome to pair him with Hutch, but I doubt they could make the money work. Whoever gets Garrett is going to have to sign him to an extension, and the Lions already have big contracts either signed or that will need to be signed in the next couple years: Goff, ARSB, Penei, Hutch, possibly Jamo. From what I understand, next year they still have a lot of money to play with, but starting in 2026 Holmes will really need to maintain his draft hot streak in order to ensure they still have lots of cheap young talent coming in the door

No offense, but I'm tired of hearing this argument. Other teams somehow manage to do this.
If Holmes is as great as everyone thinks, he should have the ability to pull this off too.

Are we supposed to sit and watch Philly trade for him? Or San Fran? Some great team with their own cap issues is going to land this guy.
Why can't it be us for once?

As I mentioned in a couple follow-up posts, it's not really about the money in the sense of fitting under the cap. It's really more about what type of roster they're going to build. Right now they have a lot of cheap young talent. In the next couple years those guys are going to get more expensive, which will make it even more imperative for Holmes to continue hitting on draft picks so he can ensure there is more cheap talent to balance out the expensive guys. Not only does adding Garrett add yet another expensive piece, it will also cost them some premium draft picks at the exact time when they need them the most.

Remember when the Bills made an all-in move on Von Miller a couple years ago? They're still dealing with the mess that made. Granted, he was already past his prime, whereas Garrett is right in his. On the other hand, they only had to pay him money, not draft picks.

That said, I could totally be wrong about this. I trust Holmes to be smart and not do anything rash. I think it will be interesting to see what kind of market there is for Garrett. Do the smart front offices like Detroit, Philly or the Ravens pursue him, or does it end up being a "dumb" front office that feels like they need to make a splash, like LV or Jax?

 

[swabs]

It would be a total Browns move to trade him to the Ravens...... I'm really torn on this, if they could get him for 2 - 1sts likely late ones, it seems like a no brainer. But can they fill in other spots as they're not able to lock down Kerby and others? It definitely makes them a much better team short term and having him and Hutch would be so fun.

 

[kutta]

Today in Lions Trivia:

Before Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who was the last Detroit coordinator to leave for a head coaching opportunity with another NFL team?

Spoiler: Answer

1963 - Defensive Coordinator Don Shula left after two seasons to become the Baltimore Colts HC. At 33, he was the youngest head coach ever at the time.

He won Coach of the Year 3 times in his 7 years there, before moving on to the Dolphins in 1970, where he became a legend over 26 seasons.

He holds numerous records including the perfect 17-0 season, back to back SB championships, and the most career wins in NFL history.

That’s hard to believe - crazy!

So in the Super Bowl era, the Lions have never had a coordinator leave to become a head coach elsewhere. Until this year. Wow.

 

[Moonlight]

Today in Lions Trivia:

Before Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who was the last Detroit coordinator to leave for a head coaching opportunity with another NFL team?

Spoiler: Answer

1963 - Defensive Coordinator Don Shula left after two seasons to become the Baltimore Colts HC. At 33, he was the youngest head coach ever at the time.

He won Coach of the Year 3 times in his 7 years there, before moving on to the Dolphins in 1970, where he became a legend over 26 seasons.

He holds numerous records including the perfect 17-0 season, back to back SB championships, and the most career wins in NFL history.

That’s hard to believe - crazy!

So in the Super Bowl era, the Lions have never had a coordinator leave to become a head coach elsewhere. Until this year. Wow.

This is dramatic demonstration of how much the present leadership has positively changed the Lions. Coordinators from successful teams get opportunities to move into head coach positions.
It will be interesting to see if that success translates to their new teams. Also will be interesting to see Campbell respond to the Bears and Johnson's challenge to the Lions success.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Today in Lions Trivia:

Before Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who was the last Detroit coordinator to leave for a head coaching opportunity with another NFL team?

Spoiler: Answer

1963 - Defensive Coordinator Don Shula left after two seasons to become the Baltimore Colts HC. At 33, he was the youngest head coach ever at the time.

He won Coach of the Year 3 times in his 7 years there, before moving on to the Dolphins in 1970, where he became a legend over 26 seasons.

He holds numerous records including the perfect 17-0 season, back to back SB championships, and the most career wins in NFL history.

That’s hard to believe - crazy!

So in the Super Bowl era, the Lions have never had a coordinator leave to become a head coach elsewhere. Until this year. Wow.

They've also famously not had a former HC get another HC job since Buddy Parker in 1956. However, I'm fine for that streak to continue for awhile longer, because I don't want Campbell to go anywhere

 

[BobbyLayne]

Today in Lions Trivia:

Before Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who was the last Detroit coordinator to leave for a head coaching opportunity with another NFL team?

Spoiler: Answer

1963 - Defensive Coordinator Don Shula left after two seasons to become the Baltimore Colts HC. At 33, he was the youngest head coach ever at the time.

He won Coach of the Year 3 times in his 7 years there, before moving on to the Dolphins in 1970, where he became a legend over 26 seasons.

He holds numerous records including the perfect 17-0 season, back to back SB championships, and the most career wins in NFL history.

That’s hard to believe - crazy!

So in the Super Bowl era, the Lions have never had a coordinator leave to become a head coach elsewhere. Until this year. Wow.

They've also famously not had a former HC get another HC job since Buddy Parker in 1956. However, I'm fine for that streak to continue for awhile longer, because I don't want Campbell to go anywhere

Technically not true. George Wilson was the Lions head coach 1957-64, and later became the Dolphins first head coach 1966-69.

The idiom for years was "nobody the Fords ever hired has ever become an head coach again." Folks didn't count Wilson because he was hired by the previous ownership group.

Bobby Ross broke the streak, but only to return to the collegiate ranks to coach Army. **** Jauron became the first Lions coach to get another HC gig, but his brief tenure as interim coach for 5 games in 2005 isn't the same as being hired against other candidates.

Speaking of Wilson, how he became the head coach was one of the weirdest situations in NFL history.

Buddy Parker Quits Lions; Wilson Could Be Successor

By JACK HENRY

DETROIT - Buddy Parker said today he definitely quit as head coach of the Detroit Lions and he nominated assistant coach George Wilson to take his place when the Lions open the exhibition season here Wednesday night against the Cleveland Browns. Parker shocked a crowd of more than 600 persons, including Club President Edwin J. Anderson, many of the directors and all of the players, at the annual "Meet the Lions Banquet" Monday night by announcing his resignation.

“When you get to the situation where you can’t handle youi football players it’s time to get out and that's what I’m doing tonight,” said Parker, one of the most successful coaches in the pro ranks. The effect couldn’t have been greater than if an atomic bomb had been dropped.

For a moment there was a dead silence then a milling, buzzing crowd. Anderson hurriedly conferred with General Manager W. Nicholas Kerbawy and then went to the speaker’s stand.

"I'm sure Buddy is just emotionally upset over two things that happened today,” Anderson said. “With a good night's sleep to think it over and realize what he's said in public, he'll reconsider.” he said as fans yelled “Don't be a quitter. Buddy!” But Parker says he has no Intention of reconsidering.

“Detroit is just dead,” the Texan drawled later. “I’ve been in pro football as a player and a coach since 1935 and I know what I can do with a team. So tar in practice this year I haven’t been able to do anything with them,” Parker said. He refused to single out any players and said he knew “nothing” of the "two things” that Anderson talked about.

"I'm not through with football, I'm just through in Detroll. Anderson said he would call a meeting today; "As far as I’m! concerned,” Parker said. "There: won’t be any meeting with me. George Wilson probably will take over as coach,” Parker said without hesitation when asked who would get the job.

Wilson had been with Detroit as ends and offensive backfield coach since 1949. He played with the tough Chicago Bears of the early 1940 s and went to Northwestern. Under Parker’s tutelage the Lions won three straight Western Division titles, 1952-53-54, and won the National Football League title in 1952 and 1953. Last season the Lions lost the division crown in the final regular game of the season to the Chicago Bears.

That happened in mid-August, two days before their first exhibition game.

Wilson led the Lions to their last NFL title in his first season.

His 8 season, 104 game tenure is third behind Monte Clark (105 games) and Wayne Fontes (133 games), while his 53 wins are tied with Potsy Clark for the second most (Fontes 66 is the club record.)

---

How rare is success for Lions head coaches? Dan Campbell has the 4th best record in franchise history measured by win percentage, .581 (39-28-1).

Ahead of him are Potsy Clark (.679, 1931-36, 1940), Parker (.671, 1951-56), and Clark (.636, 1937-38).

Campbell's 68 games are 8th on the list of 25 head coaches Detroit has had (+ 4 interim HC.)

He is 7th in wins, but stands to be 4th after 2025 if Detroit has another winning season.

That would make it four consecutive years above .500. The club record for consecutive winning seasons is 9, from 1931 to 1939. Second longest is four seasons, 1951-54 and 1969-72.

Uncharted territory for one of the more dismal NFL franchises.

 

[NickRocks]

[Wilson's] 8 season, 104 game tenure is third behind Monte Clark (105 games) and Wayne Fontes (133 games), while his 53 wins are tied with Potsy Clark for the second most (Fontes 66 is the club record.)

---

How rare is success for Lions head coaches? Dan Campbell has the 4th best record in franchise history measured by win percentage, .581 (39-28-1).

Ahead of him are Potsy Clark (.679, 1931-36, 1940), Parker (.671, 1951-56), and Clark (.636, 1937-38).

Campbell's 68 games are 8th on the list of 25 head coaches Detroit has had (+ 4 interim HC.)

He is 7th in wins, but stands to be 4th after 2025 if Detroit has another winning season.

I love the history and background info. Thanks!

Question for clarity - how does Clark have 105 games won and a .636 winning percentage in one season (1937-38)? Or am I missing something?

 

[BobbyLayne]

[Wilson's] 8 season, 104 game tenure is third behind Monte Clark (105 games) and Wayne Fontes (133 games), while his 53 wins are tied with Potsy Clark for the second most (Fontes 66 is the club record.)

---

How rare is success for Lions head coaches? Dan Campbell has the 4th best record in franchise history measured by win percentage, .581 (39-28-1).

Ahead of him are Potsy Clark (.679, 1931-36, 1940), Parker (.671, 1951-56), and Clark (.636, 1937-38).

Campbell's 68 games are 8th on the list of 25 head coaches Detroit has had (+ 4 interim HC.)

He is 7th in wins, but stands to be 4th after 2025 if Detroit has another winning season.

I love the history and background info. Thanks!

Question for clarity - how does Clark have 105 games won and a .636 winning percentage in one season (1937-38)? Or am I missing something?

lol - well it's confusing we've had three Clark HCs, for starters

I'll post a table

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Today in Lions Trivia:

Before Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who was the last Detroit coordinator to leave for a head coaching opportunity with another NFL team?

Spoiler: Answer

1963 - Defensive Coordinator Don Shula left after two seasons to become the Baltimore Colts HC. At 33, he was the youngest head coach ever at the time.

He won Coach of the Year 3 times in his 7 years there, before moving on to the Dolphins in 1970, where he became a legend over 26 seasons.

He holds numerous records including the perfect 17-0 season, back to back SB championships, and the most career wins in NFL history.

That’s hard to believe - crazy!

So in the Super Bowl era, the Lions have never had a coordinator leave to become a head coach elsewhere. Until this year. Wow.

They've also famously not had a former HC get another HC job since Buddy Parker in 1956. However, I'm fine for that streak to continue for awhile longer, because I don't want Campbell to go anywhere

Technically not true. George Wilson was the Lions head coach 1957-64, and later became the Dolphins first head coach 1966-69.

The idiom for years was "nobody the Fords ever hired has ever become an head coach again." Folks didn't count Wilson because he was hired by the previous ownership group.

Bobby Ross broke the streak, but only to return to the collegiate ranks to coach Army. **** Jauron became the first Lions coach to get another HC gig, but his brief tenure as interim coach for 5 games in 2005 isn't the same as being hired against other candidates.

Speaking of Wilson, how he became the head coach was one of the weirdest situations in NFL history.

Buddy Parker Quits Lions; Wilson Could Be Successor

By JACK HENRY

DETROIT - Buddy Parker said today he definitely quit as head coach of the Detroit Lions and he nominated assistant coach George Wilson to take his place when the Lions open the exhibition season here Wednesday night against the Cleveland Browns. Parker shocked a crowd of more than 600 persons, including Club President Edwin J. Anderson, many of the directors and all of the players, at the annual "Meet the Lions Banquet" Monday night by announcing his resignation.

“When you get to the situation where you can’t handle youi football players it’s time to get out and that's what I’m doing tonight,” said Parker, one of the most successful coaches in the pro ranks. The effect couldn’t have been greater than if an atomic bomb had been dropped.

For a moment there was a dead silence then a milling, buzzing crowd. Anderson hurriedly conferred with General Manager W. Nicholas Kerbawy and then went to the speaker’s stand.

"I'm sure Buddy is just emotionally upset over two things that happened today,” Anderson said. “With a good night's sleep to think it over and realize what he's said in public, he'll reconsider.” he said as fans yelled “Don't be a quitter. Buddy!” But Parker says he has no Intention of reconsidering.

“Detroit is just dead,” the Texan drawled later. “I’ve been in pro football as a player and a coach since 1935 and I know what I can do with a team. So tar in practice this year I haven’t been able to do anything with them,” Parker said. He refused to single out any players and said he knew “nothing” of the "two things” that Anderson talked about.

"I'm not through with football, I'm just through in Detroll. Anderson said he would call a meeting today; "As far as I’m! concerned,” Parker said. "There: won’t be any meeting with me. George Wilson probably will take over as coach,” Parker said without hesitation when asked who would get the job.

Wilson had been with Detroit as ends and offensive backfield coach since 1949. He played with the tough Chicago Bears of the early 1940 s and went to Northwestern. Under Parker’s tutelage the Lions won three straight Western Division titles, 1952-53-54, and won the National Football League title in 1952 and 1953. Last season the Lions lost the division crown in the final regular game of the season to the Chicago Bears.

That happened in mid-August, two days before their first exhibition game.

Wilson led the Lions to their last NFL title in his first season.

His 8 season, 104 game tenure is third behind Monte Clark (105 games) and Wayne Fontes (133 games), while his 53 wins are tied with Potsy Clark for the second most (Fontes 66 is the club record.)

---

How rare is success for Lions head coaches? Dan Campbell has the 4th best record in franchise history measured by win percentage, .581 (39-28-1).

Ahead of him are Potsy Clark (.679, 1931-36, 1940), Parker (.671, 1951-56), and Clark (.636, 1937-38).

Campbell's 68 games are 8th on the list of 25 head coaches Detroit has had (+ 4 interim HC.)

He is 7th in wins, but stands to be 4th after 2025 if Detroit has another winning season.

That would make it four consecutive years above .500. The club record for consecutive winning seasons is 9, from 1931 to 1939. Second longest is four seasons, 1951-54 and 1969-72.

Uncharted territory for one of the more dismal NFL franchises.

I always heard it as "No former Lions coach has gone on to get another NFL job." Wilson coached the Dolphins when they were still in the AFL, leaving right as the merger was about to happen and being replaced by ... Shula

 

[BobbyLayne]

Detroit Lions Head Coaching History (*interim only ^championship)​

Head Coach	Years	Record	Win Pct	Playoff Record
Dan Campbell	2021-2024	39-28-1	.581	2-2
Matt Patricia	2018-2020	13-29-1	.314	0-0
Darrell Bevell*	2020	1-4-0	.200	0-0
Jim Caldwell	2014-2017	36-28-0	.563	0-2
Jim Schwartz	2009-2013	29-51-0	.363	0-1
Rod Marinelli	2006-2008	10-38-0	.208	0-0
**** Jauron*	2005	1-4-0	.200	0-0
Steve Mariucci	2003-2005	15-28-0	.349	0-0
Marty Mornhinweg	2001-2002	5-27-0	.156	0-0
Gary Moeller*	2000	4-3-0	.571	0-0
Bobby Ross	1997-2000	27-30-0	.474	0-2
Wayne Fontes	1989-1996	66-67-0	.496	1-3
Darryl Rogers	1985-1988	18-40-0	.310	0-0
Monte Clark	1978-1984	43-61-1	.414	0-2

 

[BobbyLayne]

Detroit Lions Head Coaching History (*interim only ^championship)​

Tommy Hudspeth	1976-1977	11-13-0	.458	0-0
Rick Forzano	1974-1976	15-17-0	.469	0-0
Don McCafferty	1973	6-7-1	.464	0-0
Joe Schmidt	1967-1972	43-34-7	.558	0-1
Harry Gilmer	1965-1966	10-16-2	.385	0-0
George Wilson	1957-1964	53-45-6	.541	2-0^
Buddy Parker	1950-1956	47-23-2	.671	3-1^^
Bo McMillin	1948-1950	12-24-0	.333	0-0
Gus Dorais	1943-1947	20-31-2	.392	0-0
Bill Edwards	1941-1942	4-9-1	.308	0-0
Bull Karcis*	1942	0-8-0	.000	0-0
Potsy Clark	1931-1936, 1940	53-25-7	.679	1-0^
Gus Henderson	1939	6-5-0	.545	0-0
Dutch Clark	1937-1938	14-8-0	.636	0-0
Hal Griffen	1930	5-6-3	.464	0-0

 

[BobbyLayne]

Exit Interviews: Detroit's safeties stake claim as NFL's best duo, with an extension and addressing depth on offseason docket​

Wrapping up the Detroit Lions’ 2024 season, we’re doing a position-by-position evaluation of the roster. Today, we’re focusing on the play of the team’s safeties.

The straightforward stats​

Brian Branch: 109 tackles (eight for a loss), 1.0 sack, 16 pass defenses, four interceptions, one forced fumble

Kerby Joseph: 83 tackles, 12 pass defenses, nine interceptions

Ifeatu Melifonwu: Three games, 10 tackles, 1.0 sack

Advanced metrics​

Despite perceptions that their safeties were better suited for one role over another, the Lions mixed and matched the usage of Joseph and Branch throughout the season. Joseph, the ball-hawking centerfielder, only aligned as a free safety half his snaps, spending the majority of his remaining reps in the box or covering the slot. Branch moved around more, especially with his late-season shift back to nickel, seeing between 226-328 snaps in the slot, box and deep.

With their impressive ball production, both delivered passer ratings in the low 70s when challenged in coverage. That said, Branch was asked to play far more man-to-man, seeing more than triple the targets in those situations. Still, the versatile defender flourished, limiting opposing quarterbacks to 60% completions on those 40 throws.

Neither of the starters blitzed a ton, but Branch and Melifonwu were effective at disrupting the pocket when asked. Branch registered 10 pressures, including the sack and five QB hits, on 31 rush attempts. Melifonwu, who missed most of the season with injuries, picked up where he left off in 2023 with five pressures on eight blitzes.

In terms of tackling, Branch saw a significant boost in overall production with the increased playing time, although his whiff rate went up while playing farther off the ball more frequently, jumping from 7.5% to 8.4%. Joseph’s tackle total remained remarkably steady (82, 82, 83 in his first three seasons), but he set a career-best with a 5.7% miss rate.

Best performance​

Branch picked off Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott twice, including once in the end zone. Joseph added a late-game interception off the arm of backup Cooper Rush in a 47-9 beatdown of the Cowboys. The pair also chipped in 10 tackles and a QB hit in the victory.

Worst performance​

Branch and Joseph had lackluster individual outings on occasion but rarely struggled in the same game. The closest would be the team's narrow Thanksgiving victory over the Chicago Bears. In that contest, both safeties were responsible for allowing long touchdown catches.

Joseph got loose with his deep zone responsibility on a 31-yard touchdown to Keenan Allen in the third quarter. Then, in the fourth frame, Branch got beat for a score of the same length when D.J. Moore zipped by the defender’s man coverage, running a go route from the left slot.

Where safety play got better in 2024​

Where didn’t it get better?

Everything starts with the ball production. Joseph has always been good at generating takeaways, but a league-leading nine interceptions is something entirely different. On top of that, he sharply reduced some of his risk-taking, which caused him to get burned when cheating on underneath routes hunting for takeaways. That kind of growth comes from film study and absorbing coaching.

Additionally, Joseph made tremendous improvements as a tackler, making stops in the open field in the passing game and never hesitating to throw himself into the mix in run support. During his third season, he truly evolved in all aspects of his game.

Branch also produced takeaways, tallying four interceptions and a forced fumble, further validating Detroit’s efforts to get him on the field as much as possible. A cerebral talent, he thrived as a roving defender in the middle of the field as part of Detroit’s heavy usage of Cover-1.

The consistency of his performances faded toward the end of the season, once he was forced back into primarily handling nickel responsibilities. That was a less-than-ideal solution to a defense overwhelmed by injury.

Areas of needed improvement​

We’re looking at the best safety tandem in the league, so while acknowledging there’s always room for improvement, we’re talking about refining pre-existing strengths. There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel with this pairing.

If there’s one thing that could make an immediate difference, it’s an adjustment to Branch’s open-field tackling form.

Yes, the team said they don’t want to alter his aggressive mentality. Still, there’s a reason he knocked himself out against Arizona and a reason he keeps drawing flags and fines at an excessive rate. It’s not that Branch is dirty, he simply has a fixable tendency to lower his head when delivering a hit. If he keeps his head up, his health and wallet will benefit.

Long-term vision at position​

The Lions will be eager to get Branch back out of nickel responsibilities in 2025, giving them the ability to move him around the field as the matchup piece he can be.

With Joseph, the team will explore a possible extension this offseason. General manager Brad Holmes confirmed those conversations are on the docket. What would a deal look like? The floor is likely the four-year, $67 million contract the Packers gave Xavier McKinney in free agency last offseason. Given the resume and cap inflation, Joseph should be able to command more.

Detroit faces some instability with the team's depth. Melifonwu is set to be a free agent, and even though it's easy to love his playmaking and versatility, his durability has been an unending source of frustration. During his four-year career, he's been available just 54% of 68 regular-season games. That isn't easy to re-invest in, especially when there's not an obvious path to a full-time role when the roster is at full strength.

The Lions would be better off committing those resources to retaining Joseph while looking to restock the depth chart through the draft. Because many teams don't value the position, there are often bargains to be found in the middle rounds.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Let's show we are serious and go get Myles

Would obviously be awesome to pair him with Hutch, but I doubt they could make the money work. Whoever gets Garrett is going to have to sign him to an extension, and the Lions already have big contracts either signed or that will need to be signed in the next couple years: Goff, ARSB, Penei, Hutch, possibly Jamo. From what I understand, next year they still have a lot of money to play with, but starting in 2026 Holmes will really need to maintain his draft hot streak in order to ensure they still have lots of cheap young talent coming in the door

No offense, but I'm tired of hearing this argument. Other teams somehow manage to do this.
If Holmes is as great as everyone thinks, he should have the ability to pull this off too.

Are we supposed to sit and watch Philly trade for him? Or San Fran? Some great team with their own cap issues is going to land this guy.
Why can't it be us for once?

As I mentioned in a couple follow-up posts, it's not really about the money in the sense of fitting under the cap. It's really more about what type of roster they're going to build. Right now they have a lot of cheap young talent. In the next couple years those guys are going to get more expensive, which will make it even more imperative for Holmes to continue hitting on draft picks so he can ensure there is more cheap talent to balance out the expensive guys. Not only does adding Garrett add yet another expensive piece, it will also cost them some premium draft picks at the exact time when they need them the most.

Remember when the Bills made an all-in move on Von Miller a couple years ago? They're still dealing with the mess that made. Granted, he was already past his prime, whereas Garrett is right in his. On the other hand, they only had to pay him money, not draft picks.

That said, I could totally be wrong about this. I trust Holmes to be smart and not do anything rash. I think it will be interesting to see what kind of market there is for Garrett. Do the smart front offices like Detroit, Philly or the Ravens pursue him, or does it end up being a "dumb" front office that feels like they need to make a splash, like LV or Jax?

Apparently Albert Breer is out there making the case that Detroit should go all in on Garrett. I'm still skeptical, but ultimately I trust Holmes' instincts way more than I trust my own, so if he thinks it's a good decision, I'll assume he knows what he's doing