The honeymoon phase is officially over in Motown. After a 2025 season that saw the Detroit Lions stumble to a 9-8 finish and miss the playoffs entirely, the "lovable losers" tag has been replaced by something much heavier: high expectations that weren't met. It's weird to say a winning record feels like a failure, but for a fanbase that tasted the NFC Championship just two years ago, watching the postseason from the couch this January feels like a punch to the gut.
The latest detroit lions football news isn't about a deep playoff run; it's about a total systemic reset. On January 6, 2026, Dan Campbell made the tough call to fire offensive coordinator John Morton after just one season. If you followed the team closely this year, you saw the writing on the wall. The offense, once a high-flying juggernaut under Ben Johnson (who is now doing big things with Caleb Williams in Chicago), became stagnant and predictable. Campbell actually took over play-calling duties himself in Week 10 just to spark a comeback, but it wasn't enough to save the season.
The Search for a New Architect
Honestly, the coordinator search is the only thing people are talking about at the local coffee shops in Allen Park right now. Campbell is under massive pressure to get this hire right. He tried the "internal promotion" route with Morton, and it blew up in his face. Now, the names being floated are much more high-profile. There is a lot of chatter about bringing in a veteran play-caller who can maximize Jared Goff’s remaining prime years.
Interestingly, some rumors have linked former Detroit quarterbacks to the job. While David Blough's name was mentioned by reporters like Dave Birkett, the fan base seems to be craving someone with a proven track record of elite scheming. The reality is that the Lions' roster is still incredibly talented. You've got Penei Sewell—who, despite calling 2025 a "down year," remains an All-Pro—and Amon-Ra St. Brown leading the way. They don't need a rebuild; they need a tune-up.
The Defensive Identity Crisis
It wasn't just the offense that let Detroit down. The defense, led by Kelvin Sheppard, gave up way too many "explosive plays" in the second half of the year. It’s frustrating. You have Aidan Hutchinson, who is still a total wrecking ball, but the secondary looked lost in transition far too often.
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Brian Branch’s season-ending Achilles injury in December was the final nail in the coffin. Without his versatility in the "nickel" and safety spots, the scheme basically folded. Looking at the detroit lions football news regarding the roster, defensive tackle Roy Lopez was a rare bright spot. He’s a free agent now, but he’s already publicly stated he wants to come back. He out-graded Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader in several metrics this year, which is wild considering he was a low-risk signing.
Salary Cap Gymnastics and the 2026 Roster
If you look at the books, the Lions are in a "tight but manageable" spot. Jared Goff’s cap hit is scheduled to jump to a massive $69.6 million in 2026. Yeah, you read 그 right. That’s nearly $70 million for one guy.
General Manager Brad Holmes is likely going to have to restructure that deal to create some breathing room. If he converts a chunk of that base salary into a signing bonus, he could potentially free up $40 million. They’re going to need it because the list of free agents is 28 names long.
- Key Free Agents to Watch:
- Marcus Davenport (Edge)
- Al-Quadin Muhammad (Edge)
- Josh Paschal (Edge)
- Derrick Barnes (LB)
- Kevin Zeitler (G - technically a void year situation)
The biggest concern? The depth at Edge. Beyond Hutchinson, the pass rush was non-existent at times. They need to find a legitimate "Robin" to Hutchinson’s "Batman" in this upcoming draft or via a trade.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Dan Campbell
There's this narrative that Campbell is just a "rah-rah" guy who got lucky with good coordinators. That's lazy. He’s shown a lot of growth in game management, but his biggest test is happening right now. Can he build a staff that doesn't rely on one "genius" like Ben Johnson?
The 2025 season showed that when the scheme is average, the team is average. They finished 4th in the NFC North. That’s a reality check. The division is no longer a cakewalk. The Vikings found a rhythm under Brian Flores’ defense, and the Bears are ascending with Johnson and Williams. Detroit can't afford to "find themselves" for the first six weeks of 2026.
The Rookie Class Reflection
We have to talk about the 2025 rookies. Tyleik Williams and Tate Ratledge both admitted they didn't meet the "Lions standard" this year. Ratledge, specifically, mentioned that the drop-off in O-line play "lights a fire" under him. It’s rare to hear a young player be that blunt.
On the flip side, Isaac TeSlaa is already working on his "separation" skills this offseason. He had a solid rookie year, but the team needs him to become a legitimate WR2 or WR3 to take the pressure off St. Brown. The Lions also signed nine players to "futures" deals recently, including Ahmed Hassanein, a guy who missed his entire rookie year with a pec injury. He was a high-upside pick that could be a wild card in the 2026 pass-rush rotation.
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Actionable Steps for the Lions Offseason
The path back to the top of the NFC North isn't a mystery, but it requires surgical precision from Brad Holmes. This isn't the 2021 rebuild where you just take the best athlete available.
First, they have to land a "heavyweight" Offensive Coordinator. Whether that's a former head coach looking for a reset or a rising star from the Shanahan coaching tree, it has to be someone who can challenge Goff.
Second, the secondary needs a veteran anchor. D.J. Reed was a great addition, but they need more than just one lockdown corner. With the 2026 draft capital they have (currently sitting around the middle of the first round), a ball-hawk safety or another physical corner is a must.
Finally, they need to resolve the Frank Ragnow situation. He’s a warrior, but the injuries are piling up, and his $3.6 million dead cap hit for 2026 suggests the team is already preparing for a transition at center. Moving Graham Glasgow or a younger player like Seth McLaughlin to that spot full-time might be the move.
The 2026 detroit lions football news cycle is going to be dominated by these administrative and coaching changes. It's not as flashy as a playoff run, but it's arguably more important for the long-term health of the "Grit" era.
- Monitor the OC Interviews: Watch for candidates with prior play-calling experience in the NFL; this is what Campbell lacked in Morton.
- Watch the Goff Restructure: If this happens before March, expect the Lions to be aggressive in the first wave of free agency.
- Hutchinson's Extension: He’s eligible for a monster deal soon. How the Lions handle his contract will dictate their cap flexibility for the next five years.
- Draft Focus: Look for the Lions to target "trench" depth early. Holmes has shown he values the line of scrimmage over flashy skill positions.