The Lions’ path through the back half of the schedule just got a little more interesting, and not in a way that helps the rest of the NFC North.
On NFL Trade Deadline Eve, the Atlanta Falcons dealt All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. It’s the kind of move that signals a team is thinking beyond this season, and it also means Detroit has one more future opponent that could look different by the time the Lions get there.
That matters because the Lions are trying to keep this era rolling toward a rare bit of franchise history. Only once have they put together five straight winning seasons, and that came in a nine-year run from 1931 through 1939, back when the franchise was still the Portsmouth Spartans.
The deadline itself may end up being about who buys, but for Detroit, the sellers are worth tracking too. The Lions have already added to their own safety room by acquiring Andre Cisco from the New York Jets, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Jessie Bates III would have been a tempting name for Detroit to chase, especially with Kerby Joseph expected back, but that door is closed now.
What remains is the ripple effect on the schedule.
Two of the Lions’ upcoming opponents are already in sell mode. Atlanta is one of them, and the Lions will see the Falcons in Week 13 after they’ve had time to make whatever other moves they want before the deadline. That game comes after Detroit plays the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, another team that has already started unloading talent.
The Titans sent All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears, then pushed the Cincinnati Bengals to overtime. That alone should be enough to keep anyone from treating that matchup as a guaranteed win. The Dolphins were a one-loss team too, and they gave the Lions fits in the same way the Titans did with Cincinnati.
There’s also the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to watch. They nearly knocked off all three NFC North teams they’ve faced so far, including Sunday night against the Bears.
In a crowded NFC South, every team currently has three wins, and Tampa Bay is 2-0 in the division with a positive point differential. They could decide to keep pushing for a home playoff game instead of selling, but if they do move pieces, that helps Detroit.
The NFC North has turned into a grind, with all four teams now three games above .500 through Week 9. That’s why the Lions’ wins over the Packers and Vikings already loom so large. Even so, the non-divisional schedule still has plenty to say about the race.
Detroit’s bigger goal is obviously more than just collecting three more wins. But as the playoff picture starts to come into focus, the trade deadline is shaping the road ahead.
The next real checkpoint comes at 4:00 P.M. (EST) on Tuesday, when the deadline finally hits.
In Other News...
Lions Suddenly Have A Left Guard Problem Dan Campbell Didn't Settle
Christian Mahoganys sudden seat on the bench created a new wrinkle for Detroit at left guard, even if the door to reclaiming the job is still open. Dan Campbell confirmed Mahogany sat out a game because of a violation of team rules, and Miles Frazier stepped in to start in his place, giving the Lions a quick look at a different option on the interior line.
Campbells update leaves the position in a state of uncertainty heading into the matchup with the New England Patriots, especially with the rest of the roster still being monitored. He also said it is unclear whether cornerback D.J. Reed and defensive end DJ Wonnum will be available, so Detroit could be sorting through more than one availability question as it tries to settle the left side of the line. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have Real Hope In Jack Campbell Situation
Jack Campbells injury sent a jolt through the Lions last week, and the immediate concern was bigger than football. The linebacker was placed on injured reserve after suffering a serious neck injury against the Vikings, which means he has to miss at least four games, and teammates have been openly emotional in the aftermath. Jared Goff was among those reflecting on how the team handled the moment, a reminder of how quickly a routine division game turned into something far more sobering.
There is at least a sliver of encouraging news now, though, and it has given the building a reason to breathe a little easier. NFL reporter Mike Silver has indicated there is cautious optimism about Campbell possibly returning this season, based on the progress he has made since the injury. For a defense that has leaned on Campbells presence, the idea of getting him back at some point would be a meaningful lift, even if the timeline remains very much up in the air. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Still Waiting On Kerby Joseph As Secondary Decision Looms
Kerby Josephs return remains on hold as Detroit heads to Germany for its next game, with Dan Campbell confirming the safety will not be available while he continues to recover from a knee cartilage condition. Joseph is still on the physically unable to perform list, leaving the Lions to manage their secondary without one of their top defensive backs as the trip overseas approaches.
The timing only adds to the pressure on the roster decision ahead, because Detroit has until next week to decide whether to activate Joseph to the 53-man roster or leave him on PUP for the rest of the season. The Lions have already added Andre Cisco for depth at safety, a move that helps cover the position in the short term while the bigger question around Josephs status still hangs over the defense. [Read more 🡒]