The Detroit Lions just wrapped up a 9-8 season that felt like a punch to the gut. No playoffs. A last-place schedule for 2026. Dan Campbell basically gave himself a "freaking F" for the year. It's been a rough few weeks in Allen Park, but honestly, the offseason is already moving at light speed. If you’ve been scrolling through social media, you’ve seen the deluge of latest Detroit Lions news and rumors regarding who is going to fix this offense.
After the team parted ways with John Morton on January 6, the search for a new offensive coordinator became the only thing anyone cares about. Morton didn't even stay unemployed for a week—he’s already back with Sean Payton in Denver as a consultant. Meanwhile, Dan Campbell is out here telling reporters he might just keep calling the plays himself. He mentioned that a perk of calling his own shots is not having to worry about a "play-caller leaving" every year. But let's be real: the fan base is screaming for a home run hire.
The Mike McDaniel Sweepstakes and the OC Hunt
The name on everyone’s lips right now is Mike McDaniel. When the Dolphins let him go on January 8, Detroit fans started dreaming. It’s not just talk, either. The Lions officially interviewed McDaniel on January 13. Here’s where it gets tricky: the Baltimore Ravens also interviewed him for their head coaching vacancy on January 15.
You’d think a head coaching gig beats an OC job every time. However, NFL insider Greg Auman dropped a nugget that should give Lions fans hope. He basically said McDaniel might actually prefer a "great OC opportunity" over a "not-great head coaching vacancy." If McDaniel looks at Detroit’s roster—Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and a locked-in Jared Goff—he might see a much faster path to a Super Bowl than rebuilding a mess in Atlanta or Cleveland.
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It's not just McDaniel, though. The Lions are casting a wide net. They’ve already spoken with:
- Mike Kafka: The former Giants head coach interviewed right after McDaniel. He nearly upset the Lions earlier this year with a backup QB, which clearly caught Campbell’s eye.
- Zac Robinson: Currently with the Falcons, he has a history with Jared Goff from their Rams days.
- Arthur Smith: This one is a bit more polarizing. He’s coming off a stint with the Steelers, and while he’s a veteran, some fans find the name "less than inspiring."
- Tee Martin: The Ravens’ QB coach is on the schedule. He’s been huge for the passing game in Baltimore.
Jared Goff's Contract and the Roster Shakeup
We need to talk about the $69.6 million elephant in the room. That is Jared Goff’s current cap hit for 2026. It is massive. Basically, everyone expects a restructure any day now. Converting a chunk of his $55 million base salary into a signing bonus is the only way Brad Holmes can afford to do anything in free agency.
Speaking of the roster, the "sting" of missing the playoffs is real. Amon-Ra St. Brown was pretty blunt about it, saying the team didn't deserve to be there because they didn't make enough plays. That hunger is great, but hunger doesn't fix a shaky offensive line. With Taylor Decker’s future being a topic of conversation and the center position needing a long-term answer, the latest Detroit Lions news and rumors suggest the trenches are the priority.
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There is also some smoke around David Montgomery’s happiness. He’s been a stud, but with Jahmyr Gibbs clearly ascending to superstar status, some wonder if "Monty" wants a bigger piece of the pie elsewhere. Losing him would suck, especially since Penei Sewell is already calling for the offensive line to "re-gain its swagger" after the run game lost its identity late in the 2025 season.
Keep an Eye on These Free Agent Names
Brad Holmes has a lot of internal decisions to make. Al-Quadin Muhammad is looking for a deal around $10 million a year after bagging 11 sacks. Then you have guys like Roy Lopez and Amik Robertson. Lopez has been vocal about wanting to stay, saying he "loves this place," but Robertson’s future is a bit more up in the air after a rough finish to the season.
If the Lions look outside the building, rumors are swirling about interest in guys like center Tyler Linderbaum if the Ravens let him test the market. Or maybe a veteran edge like Trey Hendrickson if the Bengals move on. It’s all speculation until the league year starts on March 11, but the "foundation building" Holmes talked about is definitely happening behind the scenes.
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Mock Draft Season is Already Here
The Lions are sitting at pick No. 17 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Because they finished fourth in the NFC North, they get a "last-place schedule," but they also get a decent crack at the elite talent in April. Most experts are mocking offensive tackles or defensive backs to Detroit.
- Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama): He’s a mountain. If Decker is nearing the end, Proctor is the logical successor.
- Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah): Another name popping up in the mid-first round.
- Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee): Even though he missed 2025 with an ACL, his 2024 tape was explosive.
- Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU): He’s a ballhawk, and the Lions desperately need someone who can play man coverage with the big-bodied WRs in this division.
The draft takes place in Pittsburgh this year (April 23-25), and by then, we’ll know if Campbell is still calling plays or if he’s handed the headset to a guy like McDaniel or Kafka.
Actionable Steps for Lions Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on the latest Detroit Lions news and rumors, here is what you should be doing right now:
- Watch the Coaching Cycle: Keep a close eye on the Ravens and Raiders head coaching searches. If they hire someone other than Mike McDaniel, his odds of landing in Detroit skyrocket.
- Monitor the Cap: Look for the official announcement on Jared Goff’s restructure. Once that happens, it’s a signal that Brad Holmes is clearing space for a specific "big fish" in free agency.
- Check the Medicals: Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch are recovering from season-ending injuries. Their progress reports in February and March will dictate how aggressive the Lions are in the draft.
- Mark March 9: That’s the start of the legal tampering period. That is when the rumors turn into signatures.
The window isn't closed, but the margin for error just got a lot thinner. Dan Campbell knows it. Brad Holmes knows it. Now it's just about who they bring in to turn that 9-8 record back into a division title.