The Detroit Lions’ linebacker picture changed fast this week, and Joe Bachie may be the biggest beneficiary.
Damone Clark, who had been brought in this offseason to compete at the position and was doing a decent job before getting hurt, is now out for the season. That leaves the Lions searching for a dependable depth veteran who can help on defense and contribute on special teams, and Bachie looks like a strong candidate to slide into that opening.
Trevor Nowaske is also in the mix, but Bachie brings something that matters: more tangible NFL experience and more snaps. In a roster battle this close, that kind of edge can matter a lot. Week 3 of the preseason should offer another clue, too, because how much Bachie plays - and how the Lions use him - will say plenty about how much trust the team has in him.
Dan Campbell, for one, already sounds sold on what Bachie offers.
Campbell knew him from his time in New Orleans, and this offseason he’s made it clear that Bachie has shown the same traits with Detroit that he did with the Saints.
"(He's) exactly what he was when he was coming out. Smart.
Just a smart, crafty, all out linebacker, Can play all the spots as needed, (can play) special teams, and he has picked up where he left off from when I remember him. That's what he's been in this league.
He's walked in the door and he's got a great grasp of this defense right now."
That versatility is the key here. Bachie has shown he’ll take on whatever role the coaches ask of him, and he’s been willing to chip in on special teams without hesitation. He’s also flashed as a playmaker in camp.
With Clark gone, the path is a little clearer. Bachie has the experience, the flexibility and, apparently, the coach’s approval. That combination could be enough to keep him in Detroit.
In Other News...
Former Lions CBs NFL Future Is Now Hanging On A Serious Case
The Seahawks have taken a chance on Terrion Arnold, the former Lions cornerback who was released by Detroit after kidnapping and armed robbery charges surfaced. Seattle signed him officially this week, but the move comes with an obvious catch: Arnold will be placed on the NFL commissioners exempt list, so he can remain around the team in meetings and collect pay, even though he cannot practice or play.
Arnolds football future is now tied directly to what happens away from the field, with his legal case still moving through the courts. A scheduled appearance on October 5 looms as the next key date, and until then the Seahawks are left navigating a roster decision that carries far more uncertainty than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Dobbs Just Changed The Lions Backup QB Conversation
Josh Dobbs gave the Lions something to think about in the preseason finale, turning in a sharp outing when roster battles were on the line and the depth chart was still being sorted out. He completed 15 of 19 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns, the kind of efficient work that can steady a backup quarterback conversation and make a team feel better about its insurance behind Jared Goff.
Luke Altmyer also got on the field, but his day was harder to argue for after turnovers complicated his case. The same game offered a promising push from running back Jacob Saylors, who rushed for 100 yards and helped himself in the fight for a roster spot, leaving the Lions with a few encouraging performances and a few decisions still hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face A Brutal Christian Gonzalez Question Brad Holmes Can't Ignore
The Lions have spent enough time staring at the edges of their defensive backfield to know the problem is not going away on its own. With the secondary still carrying real questions, Christian Gonzalez has naturally surfaced as the kind of cornerback who would make sense for Detroit if the right opportunity ever came along, especially for a front office that has shown a willingness to keep chasing upgrades where they matter most.
Brad Holmes, though, would have to balance the appeal against a cost that could climb quickly. Gonzalez is under contract, which makes him an attractive name in theory, but any serious push would likely require Detroit to part with meaningful draft capital and possibly players as well. Nothing official has been reported and no negotiations have been confirmed, which leaves the idea in the realm of speculation for now, even if it is the sort of speculation the Lions cannot afford to dismiss outright. [Read more 🡒]