The Detroit Lions have plenty of their own offseason drama to sort through, but one of the more encouraging developments for Dan Campbell’s team came from outside the building.
While the Lions are working to bring a batch of new draft picks up to speed, adjusting to Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator, and dealing with the uncertainty surrounding Terrion Arnold after his June 24 arrest and multiple felony charges, a division rival is drawing some harsh offseason feedback of its own.
That rival, of course, is Green Bay.
For years, the Packers have been the Lions’ biggest enemy in the NFC North. The Chicago Bears rivalry has picked up with Ben Johnson now in Chicago, but the Green Bay matchup still sits at the center of it all.
On Monday, The Athletic’s Mike Jones labeled the Packers one of the least-improved teams of the offseason, a verdict that has to sound pretty sweet in Detroit.
“For a team coming off back-to-back wild-card-round exits and that hasn't reached the conference championship game since the 2020 season, the Packers had a rather blah offseason,” Jones wrote. “They lost top wide receiver Romeo Doubs, left tackle Rasheed Walker and linebacker Quay Walker, and they also saw cornerback Nate Hobbs and versatile offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins depart.”
Jones also pointed to another issue hanging over the team.
“On top of that, they’re dealing with the uncertainty swirling around Josh Jacobs’ domestic violence charges.”
Put it together, and Jones clearly sees a rough road ahead for Green Bay. For the Lions, that kind of projection can only help.
In Other News...
Lions Predicted To Revisit O-Line Insurance With Familiar Connection
The Lions already made one move to steady the interior of their offensive line, bringing in center Cade Mays on a three-year deal, but the search for more insurance may not be over. With training camp approaching, Detroit still has a few candidates vying for the left guard job, and that leaves room for the front office to keep an eye on veteran depth if the room needs another layer of security.
One familiar name has surfaced because of a previous Carolina connection with Mays, which could make him an easy fit if the Lions decide they want another experienced body in the mix. His value is in his ability to move around the line and plug holes where needed, a trait that can matter plenty over the grind of a season, especially if Detroits left guard battle does not settle cleanly. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Face A Terrion Arnold Problem Bigger Than Football
Terrion Arnolds legal situation has put the Lions in a place no team wants to be, with the cornerback now charged and arrested in an alleged robbery and kidnapping case and placed on waivers. It is the kind of off-field development that quickly becomes a football issue in Detroit, not just because Arnold was part of the roster picture, but because the fallout could reach beyond availability and into the business side of his contract.
Former Lions running back Zach Zenner said the consequences could extend to money already tied to Arnolds deal, a reminder that the leagues personal conduct policy can carry steep financial repercussions. Arnold is due back in court July 10 in Florida, and until then there is plenty for the Lions to sort through as the team waits to see how this situation develops. [Read more 🡒]
These Lions Camp Battles Could Shift How Detroit Opens The Season
Training camp is arriving with more than a few Lions jobs still up for grabs, and the early battles could shape how Detroit opens the season. Left guard is one of the most watched spots, while the secondary and the SAM linebacker role are also drawing plenty of attention as the roster takes its final summer form. Add in a backup quarterback competition and there is no shortage of spots that could change the depth chart before the first snap matters.
Christian Mahogany has been the go-to option when healthy, but the door is still open at guard, and the cornerback picture has Rock Ya-Sin and Keith Abney II fighting for a role opposite D.J. Reed. Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes and rookie Jimmy Rolder are also in the mix at SAM, while Teddy Bridgewater and Luke Altmyer are working through the backup quarterback race. Even special teams is in flux after departures in free agency, which means the Lions are not just sorting the lineup, they are reshaping several parts of it at once. [Read more 🡒]