The vibe around Ford Field right now is weird. Honestly, it’s a mix of "how did we get here?" and "where are we going?" after a 9-8 season that felt like a step backward. Coming off a year where the NFL rumors Detroit Lions fans were tracking involved Super Bowl odds, we’re now dissecting offensive coordinator interviews and salary cap spreadsheets.
It’s a reality check.
Dan Campbell is currently standing at a crossroads. He just fired John Morton after only one season. Morton was supposed to be the guy who kept the Ben Johnson magic alive, but the offense lost its teeth. Now, Campbell is openly admitted he's thinking about calling the plays himself in 2026. "I'm open to anything," he told reporters after the season-ending win over Chicago. It’s a bold move, but it also smells a bit like desperation to regain that 2023-2024 identity.
The Offensive Coordinator Search: More Than Just a Name
Everyone is talking about Mike McDaniel. The former Dolphins head coach interviewed with Detroit on January 13, and the fanbase is collectively holding its breath. Imagine McDaniel’s "mad scientist" run schemes paired with Jahmyr Gibbs. It’s a dream.
But here is the catch: McDaniel is still interviewing for head coaching gigs in places like Baltimore and Cleveland. If he gets a top job, Detroit is back to square one.
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Other names are floating around, too.
- Arthur Smith: The former Steelers OC is a real candidate.
- Zac Robinson: Atlanta’s OC is on the radar.
- Mike Kafka: Another name that has surfaced in the rumor mill.
Then there is the internal option. Campbell noted that calling plays himself has a "perk"—you don't have to worry about your play-caller getting poached by another team every January. That’s a direct jab at the trauma of losing Ben Johnson to the Bears (who, by the way, just won a playoff game while the Lions sat at home).
The $20 Million Center Problem
If you want to know why the run game felt "off" last year, look at the middle of the line. Frank Ragnow is retired, and Graham Glasgow struggled mightily in 2025. The NFL rumors Detroit Lions insiders are whispering about most involve Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.
He is the "white whale" for Brad Holmes.
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Linderbaum is rumored to be hunting for a contract in the $20 million-a-year range. That is a massive number for a center. But if the Lions want to protect Jared Goff—who is currently carrying a projected $69.6 million cap hit for 2026—they might have no choice.
Roster Reality Check: Who Stays and Who Goes?
The Lions aren't the "scrappy underdogs" with infinite money anymore. They are a "pay the core" team. Brad Holmes has already handed out massive extensions to:
- Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30M AAV)
- Penei Sewell ($28M AAV)
- Alim McNeill ($24.25M AAV)
- Aidan Hutchinson ($180M total extension)
This means some fan favorites are likely gone. Alex Anzalone is 31 and an unrestricted free agent. While he's the heartbeat of the defense, the Lions might let him walk to give more snaps to Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes. D.J. Reader is another name on the bubble. He’ll be 32, and with the cap tightening, Detroit might look toward the draft for a younger, cheaper interior presence.
Draft Rumors: Building the Trenches (Again)
The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is going to be dominated by one theme for Detroit: The Trenches.
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Most mock drafts, including recent ones from Dane Brugler and Draft Countdown, have the Lions eyeing offensive tackle help. Taylor Decker isn't getting any younger, and some experts think the Lions need a "successor" sooner rather than later.
Names to watch:
- Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama): A mountain of a man who could slide into guard or eventually take over at tackle.
- Peter Woods (DT, Clemson): A popular Round 1 projection to help Aidan Hutchinson.
- Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon): Because the secondary still needs a true ball hawk if Kerby Joseph’s injury history continues to be a factor.
The Ben Johnson "Betrayal" Still Stings
It’s hard to talk about the 2026 Lions without mentioning Ben Johnson. He didn’t just leave; he went to a division rival and started winning immediately. The latest reports from Peter Schrager suggest there’s some real heat between Johnson and the rest of the league after he was caught on video yelling "F*** the Packers" in the Bears' locker room.
Why does this matter for Detroit? Because it’s a distraction they don't need. The Lions have to face a "fourth-place schedule" in 2026, which looks easy on paper. They play the Giants, Cardinals, and Titans. But the NFC North is a gauntlet now. If Detroit doesn't fix the OC spot and the offensive line, a "soft" schedule won't save them.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you’re tracking the NFL rumors Detroit Lions news cycle, here is what actually matters moving forward:
- Watch the Restructures: To sign a guy like Linderbaum or even bring back Roy Lopez (who wants to stay), Brad Holmes has to restructure Jared Goff’s contract. If that doesn't happen by March, expect a very quiet free agency.
- The Senior Bowl (Jan 31): Keep a close eye on interior offensive linemen. This is where Holmes does his best work. If the Lions don't sign a veteran center, the guy who starts Week 1 is likely at this game.
- Coaching Timeline: If Mike McDaniel takes a head coaching job elsewhere, the Lions might pivot to a "safe" veteran like Arthur Smith. This would signal a shift back to a heavy run-first identity.
The "championship window" isn't closed, but it’s definitely getting heavier. The 2026 offseason is less about finding "hidden gems" and more about managing the massive contracts of the superstars they already have. For a team that used to be defined by losing, having too many expensive, talented players is a high-class problem—but it’s still a problem.