The Detroit Lions’ offseason drew a solid but unspectacular review from ESPN’s Seth Walder, who slotted it among the NFL’s better classes without putting it in the elite tier.
Walder handed Detroit a B, which tied for ninth-best in the league. Six other teams also landed at that mark, so the grade leaves the Lions in a crowded middle of the upper pack rather than standing alone near the top.
That evaluation comes with the usual offseason caveat: nobody knows how any of this will look until after the 2026 season. Detroit had real turnover, losing Alex Anzalone, Amik Robertson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and David Montgomery, among others. At the same time, the Lions brought in Cade Mays, DJ Wonnum, Roger McCreary, Christian Izien, and Chuck Clark, while also banking on internal growth from Tyleik Williams, Christian Mahogany, Tate Ratledge, and Isaac TeSlaa.
Walder’s favorite Detroit move was the deal that sent Montgomery to the Houston Texans.
“Perhaps Detroit’s best move of the offseason was dealing Montgomery for a fourth-round pick, seventh-round pick and OL Juice Scrugg s,” Walder wrote. “Any time a team can get that type of draft capital for a 29-year-old backup running back, it has to jump at the chance. The Lions were right to do so even though Isiah Pacheco, who they signed in free agency, will likely be a downgrade.”
His least-favorite move was a bit of a surprise: the extension for All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell. Even then, Walder didn’t go overboard in criticizing it.
“The Lions also locked up Campbell to a four-year, $81 million extension, securing the linebacker for years to come. That strikes me as a little rich for Campbell, but not wildly out of line,” Walder said.
Walder was just as generous across the division. The Bears and Packers each earned B+ grades, while the Vikings checked in right behind them with a B-.
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