The Detroit Lions are entering the 2026 NFL season with something to prove - and according to early projections, they’ve got the pieces to do it.
Sure, the NFC landscape is being dominated by the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, who have built a powerhouse around Sam Darnold and a fearsome defensive front. But repeat titles are rare in the NFL for a reason.
That’s why Detroit’s No. 7 spot in ESPN’s way-too-early power rankings should catch your attention. For a team that missed the postseason, that kind of respect says a lot about what’s already in place - and what could be coming.
Let’s be clear: the Lions aren’t being handed anything. They’ve got real work to do, especially in the trenches.
The offensive line, once a strength, took a major step back in 2025. The numbers don’t lie - Detroit ranked 31st in pass block win rate at just 55.5%.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that leans heavily on timing and rhythm in the passing game. And with veteran Dan Skipper hanging up his cleats in January, the need for reinforcements is even more urgent.
Even All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell acknowledged the line didn’t play up to its potential. There were flashes, sure, but the unit lacked cohesion - and that’s a problem when your quarterback isn’t the most mobile guy in the league.
Jared Goff had another strong season in 2025, but he did it under constant pressure. That can’t continue if the Lions expect to make a serious playoff push.
New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will be tasked with restoring some of that old swagger up front. And he’ll need help from the front office to do it.
Expect the Lions to target the interior offensive line early in the draft - a starting-caliber guard is a must. But the needs don’t stop there.
The situation at center is murky, and Detroit could look to free agency to find a reliable anchor in the middle. And then there’s the left tackle spot, where Taylor Decker’s future is uncertain.
Whether he retires or not, the Lions need to start thinking about the next man up. Injuries have taken a toll on Decker’s performance, and simply plugging in a developmental player like Giovanni Manu won’t cut it if this team is serious about contending.
That’s the reality of where the Lions are right now - not rebuilding, but retooling. They’ve got the quarterback.
They’ve got elite talent at key positions. And they’ve got a coaching staff that knows how to get the most out of this roster.
What they need is stability and strength up front - the kind of offensive line play that can tilt close games in January.
They’re not the favorites. Not with Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco still lurking in the NFC.
But the Rams are betting on another MVP-caliber season from Matthew Stafford, and the 49ers have to prove they can stay healthy for a full campaign. There’s a window here for Detroit - not wide open, but definitely cracked.
If they can shore up the offensive line, protect Goff, and get back to dictating games in the trenches, the Lions could be more than just a top-10 team in a preseason ranking. They could be right back in the thick of the Super Bowl conversation.