Five more football greats took their place in Canton on Saturday, with Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Vinatieri officially entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame. All five were fully deserving.
For the Lions, though, the bigger question is what comes next. It has been a while since a Detroit player has stood on that stage, and if you mean guys who were Lions more than anyone else, Calvin Johnson was the last one inducted in 2021. Dwight Freeney was the most recent Lion-connected name to get in, back in 2024.
So who is next?
If the conversation is limited to players who spent a major chunk of their careers in Detroit, Lomas Brown has to be part of it. The Lions have been making a push for him, and he finally reached semifinalist status for the 2026 class. Still, it is tough to see that run going much farther after this cycle, which makes a senior-candidate path after his final year of modern-era eligibility in 2027 a real possibility.
Matthew Stafford is the other obvious name. When he left Detroit in 2021, he was not yet carrying Hall of Fame credentials.
That has changed. He now has a Super Bowl on his résumé and an MVP award from last year, and that puts him firmly in the mix.
There is still room to argue whether he should go in as a Ram or a Lion, but the path to Canton looks increasingly clear, especially if this year’s Rams team hits the level people expect.
If the focus stays on the current roster, Penei Sewell looks like the safest bet. He already has three First Team All-Pro selections, and he is only 25.
Amon-Ra St. Brown also has a strong case, with four Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros at 26.
Jared Goff belongs in the discussion too, but his case is not there yet. If he can stack a Super Bowl ring and an MVP award the way Stafford did, that conversation changes. For now, though, he is still a step short.
So the answer depends on how you draw the line. If Stafford counts, he is the pick. If not, Sewell is the best guess.
In Other News...
Lions Depth Chart Just Put Key Camp Battles In The Spotlight
The first unofficial depth chart always tells you something about where a coaching staff stands, even if the picture is far from final. Ahead of the 2026 NFL preseason, the Lions put their latest roster hierarchy on paper and, as expected, the offensive line and wide receiver spots remain the most interesting areas to watch as camp rolls on. Veterans and rookies are still jockeying for position, and a few of those battles look far from settled.
On the line, the early pecking order leans toward experience, with Larry Borom and Juice Scruggs both sitting above challengers at their respective spots. There is also competition showing up at linebacker and nickel cornerback, where Detroit has a mix of proven depth and players trying to carve out larger roles. Roger McCreary being listed as the top nickel cornerback is another small but meaningful clue about how the Lions are sorting through a crowded summer competition. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Camp Is Creating A Defensive Roster Squeeze Fast
Training camp in Allen Park is starting to sort out the Detroit Lions defensive picture, and fast. Injuries and practice performance have already begun to reshape the depth chart, with battles still simmering at defensive end, tackle, linebacker, cornerback and safety as coaches sort through who fits and who is running out of time.
Devin White and Nick Whiteside have both helped themselves in a crowded group, while other names are drifting closer to the bubble as the roster takes on a more defined look. Roger McCrearys situation is part of that shifting mix, and the next few practices should say plenty about which defenders are truly secure before the pressure gets even tighter. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Cornerback Battle Suddenly Looks Trouble For Ennis Rakestraw
Ennis Rakestraws first training camp has not gone as smoothly as the Lions likely hoped, and the early rotation is starting to reflect that. After an inconsistent opening stretch, the cornerback has been spending more time with the second-team defense while Nick Whiteside has worked into a more prominent role on the first unit, a noticeable shift in a room the Lions expected to be one of the more competitive parts of camp.
Dan Campbell has made it clear the team is still searching for the right mix at corner, even with some optimism around the secondary overall despite the injuries and setbacks that have hit the group. The addition of Trevon Diggs only underscores how much Detroit wants the competition to stay high, and for Rakestraw, the next few practices may go a long way toward determining whether this is just an early camp hiccup or something more concerning. [Read more 🡒]