The Jahmyr Gibbs extension is in the books, and for the Lions, that part of the offseason was always headed this way. After the recent deals for Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor, Gibbs was the next running back to cash in, and Detroit made him the highest-paid player at the position.
That move also puts a spotlight on what comes next.
Gibbs has already put together a monster start to his career in Detroit. In three seasons, he has made three Pro Bowls, piled up 49 scrimmage touchdowns and 5,029 scrimmage yards, and led the NFL in touchdowns in 2024.
He has scored at least 11 times in each of his first three seasons, and he’s only heading into his age-24 season. The early signs point to a career that could end up in Hall of Fame territory.
But the bigger question for Detroit now is less about the backfield and more about the defensive front.
The Lions have talent all over the roster, and Brad Holmes has done a strong job building it. Even so, there’s one problem that still hangs over the team: the pass rush just isn’t threatening enough right now.
Some concerns about the secondary, especially at safety, are fair. But in the NFL, games are still won and lost in the trenches.
That’s the part Detroit has to fix.
The Lions already seem to have the first two major pieces of a championship setup: a quarterback and the ability to protect him. Jared Goff is solidly in place, and while the offensive line looks different than it has in previous seasons, it should settle in and become a dependable unit. That has been the formula for years, and there’s no real reason to think 2026 will suddenly be different.
Getting after the opposing quarterback is the issue.
Without Al-Quadin Muhammad, the pass rush becomes Aidan Hutchinson and a whole lot of hoping. Muhammad’s 11 sacks and 20 quarterback hits in 2025 were too important to wave away, and that production isn’t something Detroit can simply assume will be replaced.
There are a few internal names to watch. Tyler Lacy has been getting some attention in camp, but he still has almost no NFL production behind him. Derrick Moore could carve out a role on the defensive line, but he’s a rookie, so it’s fair to keep expectations modest for now.
That leaves the open market, where Von Miller stands out as the clearest fit. He remains unsigned and put up nine sacks and 15 quarterback hits for the Washington Commanders in 2025. He appeared in all 17 games and was on the field for just 37 percent of the defensive snaps, which suggests there may still be something left in the tank.
With Jadeveon Clowney already off the board, the list of realistic options is shrinking. And Detroit can’t afford to ignore the problem much longer, because the defense still needs to be better in 2025. The offense is strong enough to carry a title run right now, but a defense stuck near the bottom of the league could knock the whole season off course again.
The ask isn’t for the Lions to become a top-five defense overnight. Even getting closer to average would matter. Whether it’s Miller, Leonard Floyd or another name still sitting out there, Detroit needs a move.
Holmes has to make one. A modest upgrade would be far better than standing pat and hoping the pass rush sorts itself out.
In Other News...
Isaac TeSlaa Faces An Early Camp Test In Crucial Year 2
Isaac TeSlaa is spending training camp trying to turn a strong rookie season into a bigger role for the Lions, and the focus right now is less on highlight plays than on the finer points of his craft. Detroit wants him to expand his route tree and sharpen his technique, the kind of work that can separate a promising young receiver from one who is ready for a larger share of the offense.
Dan Campbell said TeSlaa has run into some of the usual growing pains that come with those adjustments, but the coach made it clear the team sees this as part of the development curve rather than a setback. Campbell likened it to refining a golf swing, the sort of thing that only gets better through repetition, and TeSlaas next step will be showing that the work in practice can carry over once the games start to matter again. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Camp Still Leaves Big Questions About Who's Really Ready
Detroits seventh camp practice came with the kind of heat that can turn a routine August session into a test of endurance, and several players were left managing their workloads because of it. The Lions had a mix of limited participation and absences as the temperature and a handful of injuries shaped the day, with the staff clearly taking a cautious approach rather than forcing anyone through a long workout.
Jahmyr Gibbs was back on the field, but his return still stopped short of full participation, and Tyler Conklin also rejoined the mix after coming off the PUP list. Even so, both were handled carefully as the team eased through walkthrough work and individual periods, leaving their next step in camp as the more interesting question than simply whether they were present at all. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Camp Just Raised The Stakes For One Crowded Position
An open practice for fans gave the Lions another look at a linebacker room that has become more interesting by the day. Detroit has been leaning into competition and depth on defense, and the recent addition of Devin White only sharpened that dynamic as the team works to keep the unit adaptable heading into the season.
Kelvin Sheppard has already pointed to Whites experience as part of the appeal, but the bigger picture is still centered on how the group sorts itself out once the pads stay on. Dan Campbell is also expected to offer an update on Malcolm Rodriguez after his ankle issue, adding another layer to a position battle that already has plenty riding on it. [Read more 🡒]