Detroit Lions Offseason Progress Report
Will the Lions survive the Brain Drain? What's the ceiling of a Healthy Lions Defense?
Overview
2024 Record: 15-2
General Manager: Brad Holmes
Head Coach: Dan Campbell
Starting Quarterback: Jared Goff
Key Extensions:
S Kerby Joseph (4 years, $85 million, $36.121 million guaranteed)
Key Additions:
CB DJ Reed, DL Tyleik Williams, iOL Tate Ratledge, WR Isaac TeSlaa, iOL Miles Frazier
Key Departures:
CB Carlton Davis, iOL Kevin Zeitler
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: John Morton
2024 Ranks:
EPA/play: 3rd Success Rate: 1st PPG: 1st (33.2ppg)
Projected Starting Offense (11 personnel):
QB Jared Goff
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR Jameson Williams
WR Tim Patrick
TE Sam LaPorta
LT Taylor Decker
LG Christian Mahogany
C Tate Ratledge
RG Graham Glasgow
RT Penei Sewell
Offense Notes:
When it comes to teaching tape, the 2024 Lions offense put forth a mountain’s worth. This was Ben Johnson’s magnum opus as a play-caller, leading his offense to a whopping 33.2 points per game - the highest number since the 2018 Chiefs! This group scored below 20 points once, above 40 points six times, and more than 50 points on two occasions, all while being incredibly efficient. It’s no surprise that so many offensive coaches were poached from the Lions this offseason.
With that in mind, the major questions with this team don’t lie with the roster, but with the new coaching staff. New Offensive Coordinator John Morton has familiarity in the building, and seems to be from the Sean Payton mold of offensive minds. If Morton can keep up with the creativity of the previous regime, this offense still has the talent to be one of the best in the NFL.
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Kelvin Sheppard
2024 Ranks:
EPA/play: 7th Success Rate: 8th PPG: 7th (20.1ppg allowed)
Projected Starting Defense (Base 4-2):
DE Aidan Hutchinson
NT DJ Reader
DT Alim McNeill
DE Marcus Davenport
LB Alex Anzalone
LB Jack Campbell
LB Derrick Barnes
CB Terrion Arnold
CB DJ Reed
S Brian Branch
S Kerby Joseph
Defense Notes:
The 2024 Lions defense went through it last year. It seemed like by the time the season ended, this unit produced almost an entire starting group on IR; the amount of injuries they sustained was tremendous. Despite this, Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn had his group locked in, putting forth consistent top 10 marks with efficiency and scoring. It’s no wonder Glenn ended up as the New York Jets Head Coach going into 2025.
Unlike the offense, the defensive coaching staff wasn’t nearly as drained. Incumbent linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard is the new play-caller and should keep things status quo when it comes to scheme. With some positive regression on the injury/health front, there’s no reason that this group can’t be one of the top defenses in the league again in 2025.
Outlook
Overall, the Lions are in a bit of a tough spot to project. This team is still loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, but the brain drain in the coaching department is a real thing. Can this group be as creative on offense without Ben Johnson? Will the defense rally as well without Aaron Glenn?
It’s fair to expect growing pains, at least to start the season. But with Dan Campbell’s leadership and a mostly-stacked roster, I think the Lions will bounce back to end the season. The only real concern with the roster is the shuffling interior of the offensive line, but retaining OL Coach Hank Fraley should help to find a good solution.
Will the Lions go 15-2 again, winning the NFC at a historic pace? I’m not sure that such an outcome is very realistic. The Lions have the firepower to be competitive, but this was a division that fielded three playoff teams last season, and is a division that is only getting better. The Lions still should contend for the division crown, but don’t expect it to be another historically great season.
Expectation/Goal for 2025: Compete for NFC North, Playoff Run
2025 Schedule
Primetime games are BOLDED, all times EDT/EST
*Week 13 game vs. Dallas is on Thanksgiving*
**Week 17 game in Minnesota is on Christmas**