The Detroit Lions have spent the past few seasons building something real - something that, for a while, looked like it might carry them all the way to the NFL’s biggest stage. But as we close in on the end of the 2025 regular season, it’s clear that the current version of this team has hit a ceiling.
The question now isn’t whether the Lions are on the rise - they are. The question is: what comes next?
General manager Brad Holmes isn’t a fan of the term “Super Bowl window,” and he’s made that clear. He sees the Lions as a team on a steady climb, not one defined by a narrow timeline. But even if Holmes rejects the label, the reality is the Lions are entering a critical transition point - one that will define whether this rebuild evolves into a sustained era of contention, or stalls out before it reaches its full potential.
Let’s rewind a bit. When Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell took over, the Lions were starting from scratch.
The roster was gutted, the culture needed a reset, and the fan base was starved for hope. What followed was a textbook rebuild: tear it down, build it back up, and get to a place where you’re playing meaningful football in December.
Mission accomplished - at least, for Phase One.
But now comes the hard part: Phase Two. This is where good teams become great, and where front offices earn their reputations.
Dan Orlovsky: The Lions Need to Evolve
On a recent episode of NFL Live, former Lions quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky put it plainly: “Version 1” of the Lions’ rebuild is over. And while it brought progress, it didn’t bring the ultimate payoff. According to Orlovsky, it’s time to recalibrate.
“I think the question is, what was the cornerstone for this rebuild, that’s become a weakness? That’s that offensive line,” Orlovsky said, referencing a unit that was once seen as one of the league’s best but has struggled to maintain that standard.
He’s not wrong. The Lions’ offensive line was supposed to be the foundation - the group that gave this team its identity.
But injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of depth have chipped away at that advantage. And when your cornerstone starts to crack, everything else becomes harder.
Orlovsky also touched on the bigger picture: “What’s version 2 of this rebuild? Because version 1 seems to have closed, this window right now.”
That doesn’t mean the Lions are done. Far from it.
With Holmes and Campbell steering the ship, there’s still a strong core in place. But as Orlovsky pointed out, the next phase is going to require some tough decisions - especially when it comes to the salary cap.
“They didn’t get it done in this three-year span. And so, now, who do they pay and how much? I think that’s the next step.”
That’s the reality for every team that transitions from rebuilding to contending. The early years are about collecting talent and building culture.
But once your young stars mature, the financial calculus changes. You can’t pay everyone.
You have to make the right bets - and you have to keep hitting in the draft to backfill the roster.
The Draft: Still the Engine of the Rebuild
Orlovsky emphasized that point as well: “The drafting will have to continue to be a home run.”
That’s where the Lions may already be feeling some pressure. The early returns from the last two draft classes haven’t been as impactful as the 2021 haul that brought in foundational pieces. Sure, it’s too early to call those classes a miss - player development isn’t always linear - but the pipeline of rookie-contract contributors isn’t flowing as freely as it once was.
That’s a concern, especially with players like Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell approaching the point where second contracts come into play. The Lions have been aggressive about rewarding their own - and that’s a good thing. But to stay competitive, they’ll need to keep the roster stocked with affordable, high-upside talent.
Otherwise, the team risks becoming top-heavy - reliant on a few stars while lacking the depth that makes contenders dangerous in January.
What Does “Version 2” Look Like?
So what does the next version of the Lions look like?
It starts with reestablishing dominance in the trenches. If the offensive line was once the heart of this team, it needs to be again. That means investing in health, development, and possibly reinforcements.
It also means continuing to draft well - not just in the first round, but throughout all seven. The Lions can’t afford to miss on Day 2 and Day 3 picks if they want to maintain a deep, versatile roster.
And finally, it means making smart, calculated decisions about who gets paid. Not just based on past performance, but on future value. That’s where Holmes and his staff will earn their keep.
The Lions aren’t back at square one. They’ve built a strong foundation. But the next chapter - the one that turns this into a perennial playoff team and real Super Bowl threat - is going to require just as much vision, discipline, and execution as the first.
Because if this next phase doesn’t hit? Well, let’s just say the sequel won’t be remembered like The Godfather Part II.