2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Motown Bombers]

4 minutes ago, Motor City Sonics said:

In that game he was.    that's the problem.  He's fine until the big game, the must-win.    You get one more shot at that with me  - then I'm moving on.    then it's Next Up because you'll be wasting ASB and Gibbs and Jamo and LaPorta on someone who wilts under the bright lights.   It's on hiim.    Even if the O-Line isn't good - the greats rise above.   

He beat Minnesota to win the division and won two playoff games. He played well in the NFC Championship game too. Complete bull****. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

40 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

I was most impressed with Goff because he had the second best year of his career despite a weaker offensive line. 

Look, I've famously crapped on a Lions starting QB over the years and was over-the-top critical of one Matthew Stafford. I wanted him run out of town. He turned around after leaving Detroit and proved me to be a fool. He proved me wrong about his QB ability and just how much a team could with with him as their starting QB. I'm not making that same mistake twice.

While there were individual games and moments throughout the season where Goff looked bad (the Eagles game comes to mind) he had a very good season in total. He had a career low in INTs, had his second highest season in total TDs with 34 and his second highest passer rating of his career at 105. He also had a very respectable QBR of 58 and a near 70% completion %. Goff's offensive line was the problem. Goff's lack of a running game, at times, to help him open up play action was a problem. The play calling Goff had to work with from John Morton was a problem at times. But Jared Goff himself was rarely ever the main problem. If you moved on from Goff there would be a minimum of 15 suitors who would lineup and likely inquire about bringing him in to be their starting QB.

Edited Friday at 10:40 PM by Mr.TaterSalad

[sagnam]

4 hours ago, Motown Bombers said:

Perhaps not but Holmes wasn’t going to draft a TE2 in the third round so I’m not understanding this strawman. 

He’s as likely to draft a TE2 as a WR4.

Edited Friday at 11:19 PM by sagnam

[Motown Bombers]

3 minutes ago, sagnam said:

He’s as likely to draft a TE2 as a WR4.

I know you’re doing a schtick, but Teslaa is a number three. He was a raw prospect and wasn’t going to be the number three out the gate. A number three receiver is more valuable than TE2. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Pride of Detroit: Ranking the Detroit Lions’ 2026 free agents by importance of re-signing

Pride of Detroit put out a list of all the Lions pending free agents and their order of importance as to bringing them back or not. I know this list is the editor of POD's own personal opinion, but I don't think it is based in reality. They have Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal ranked way too low towards the bottom. I for sure think Paschal is coming back, because this organization values its own guys quite a bit. I would not be surprised if we see Marcus Davenport back either, which is why I would move him higher up the list. On a very cheap deal, I think they'd be willing to give Davenport another shot.

[KL2]

27 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Pride of Detroit: Ranking the Detroit Lions’ 2026 free agents by importance of re-signing

Pride of Detroit put out a list of all the Lions pending free agents and their order of importance as to bringing them back or not. I know this list is the editor of POD's own personal opinion, but I don't think it is based in reality. They have Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal ranked way too low towards the bottom. I for sure think Paschal is coming back, because this organization values its own guys quite a bit. I would not be surprised if we see Marcus Davenport back either, which is why I would move him higher up the list. On a very cheap deal, I think they'd be willing to give Davenport another shot.

What your talking about is different than "importance." You are talking likelhood.

Its not important we resign Marcus at all. A million veteran DE are out there, and its not important to resign a guy who barely played for us. 

[MichiganCardinal]

42 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Pride of Detroit: Ranking the Detroit Lions’ 2026 free agents by importance of re-signing

Pride of Detroit put out a list of all the Lions pending free agents and their order of importance as to bringing them back or not. I know this list is the editor of POD's own personal opinion, but I don't think it is based in reality. They have Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal ranked way too low towards the bottom. I for sure think Paschal is coming back, because this organization values its own guys quite a bit. I would not be surprised if we see Marcus Davenport back either, which is why I would move him higher up the list. On a very cheap deal, I think they'd be willing to give Davenport another shot.

I would be surprised if they bring back Davenport. They've shown a two strike policy before on injury-prone free agents. Emmanuel Moseley got two years, two ACLs, and one pectoral to get healthy. They weren't going to keep banging their head against the wall believing he would get healthy though.

Paschal I am 50/50. I think he'll likely be back on a very cheap one-year deal like Levi originally was, because his value on the open market after missing an entire year due to back surgery will be next to nothing. The Lions will present the best opportunity for him to get back on the field. I'm not opposed to that either, high-reward and very little risk as long as you're not seriously depending on him to start the season (and how could you at this point?)

[MichiganCardinal]

 

I was thinking about this yesterday, as well as the Packers trading the house for Micah Parsons and promptly making it exactly as far as they did last year (and not having Parsons to open 2026). The patient mouse doesn't always get the cheese, but neither does the aggressive mouse.

There isn't a one size fits all approach to personnel in the NFL. I do think Holmes' approach, building through the draft and paying your own, probably provides the most number of bites at the apple in trying to get that elusive championship. The Eagles are due for a regression (that we've already seen in their offense) and are in a perilous position with the salary cap. The Packers have no first round picks until 2028. The Rams have a limited number of opportunities remaining with Stafford.

Meanwhile, the Lions will continue to do what they do, few splash moves but overall improving the team on paper.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

48 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

I would be surprised if they bring back Davenport. They've shown a two strike policy before on injury-prone free agents. Emmanuel Moseley got two years, two ACLs, and one pectoral to get healthy. They weren't going to keep banging their head against the wall believing he would get healthy though.

Paschal I am 50/50. I think he'll likely be back on a very cheap one-year deal like Levi originally was, because his value on the open market after missing an entire year due to back surgery will be next to nothing. The Lions will present the best opportunity for him to get back on the field. I'm not opposed to that either, high-reward and very little risk as long as you're not seriously depending on him to start the season (and how could you at this point?)

Levi's played one full season in the four seasons he's been here and they keep bringing him back. If Davenport was out all of last year, I could see it being the case that he doesn't get brought back. But given that he played some during the beginning and ends of the season, I do think there's a real shot they give him one last chance. Especially true if they don't bring back Muhammad I think.

[MichiganCardinal]

5 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Levi's played one full season in the four seasons he's been here and they keep bringing him back. If Davenport was out all of last year, I could see it being the case that he doesn't get brought back. But given that he played some during the beginning and ends of the season, I do think there's a real shot they give him one last chance. Especially true if they don't bring back Muhammad I think.

In fairness there is a difference between "bringing back" a player who is under rookie contract and "bringing back" a free agent. The former isn't "bringing back" as much as it is just not giving up.

Levi was re-signed once, and it was after a 2024 season where he missed only one game and was arguably the most consistent performer on the defensive line. As opposed to Davenport, who was a non-factor even when he was on the field. (And yes, Levi then burned us and never even participated in training camp).

For a better comparison to Levi I would look to Rakestraw, who I also anticipate will be back in 2026 despite chronic injury.

[Stanley70]

Both of these guys would have to agree to lower cost prove it deals, Paschal expecially. He is probably a roster bubble type guy at this point. Levi was fairly productive in 2024, so he might make a little more. And i hope they don't bring back Davenport at any cost.

They do like the edge accross from Hutch to be Davenport sized or bigger. That makes me think if Keldric Faulk is there they might take him. A jumbo edge that sets a nice edge but offers little in the pass rush. My problem with that is you can find those guys affordably priced in free agency. You can't find a pass rusher cheap in free agency. Spend your first on edges that can get to the QB, or LT's, or CB's.

 

[Motown Bombers]

28 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Levi's played one full season in the four seasons he's been here and they keep bringing him back. If Davenport was out all of last year, I could see it being the case that he doesn't get brought back. But given that he played some during the beginning and ends of the season, I do think there's a real shot they give him one last chance. Especially true if they don't bring back Muhammad I think.

They brought Levi back once after he was healthy and played well. 

[Motown Bombers]

36 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

 

I was thinking about this yesterday, as well as the Packers trading the house for Micah Parsons and promptly making it exactly as far as they did last year (and not having Parsons to open 2026). The patient mouse doesn't always get the cheese, but neither does the aggressive mouse.

There isn't a one size fits all approach to personnel in the NFL. I do think Holmes' approach, building through the draft and paying your own, probably provides the most number of bites at the apple in trying to get that elusive championship. The Eagles are due for a regression (that we've already seen in their offense) and are in a perilous position with the salary cap. The Packers have no first round picks until 2028. The Rams have a limited number of opportunities remaining with Stafford.

Meanwhile, the Lions will continue to do what they do, few splash moves but overall improving the team on paper.

Milton Williams who Roseman let walk us still in the playoffs. 
 

I’m also baffled how Za’Darius Smith ended up on the Eagles since Holmes always signs his players. 

Edited 10 hours ago by Motown Bombers

[Motown Bombers]

It’s also funny saying Holmes always signs his own players while simultaneously complaining about not signing Zeitler. 

[sagnam]

1 hour ago, MichiganCardinal said:

 

I was thinking about this yesterday, as well as the Packers trading the house for Micah Parsons and promptly making it exactly as far as they did last year (and not having Parsons to open 2026). The patient mouse doesn't always get the cheese, but neither does the aggressive mouse.

There isn't a one size fits all approach to personnel in the NFL. I do think Holmes' approach, building through the draft and paying your own, probably provides the most number of bites at the apple in trying to get that elusive championship. The Eagles are due for a regression (that we've already seen in their offense) and are in a perilous position with the salary cap. The Packers have no first round picks until 2028. The Rams have a limited number of opportunities remaining with Stafford.

Meanwhile, the Lions will continue to do what they do, few splash moves but overall improving the team on paper.

Flip side. You have to be in it to win it. Neither the Packers nor the Eagles lost because of their trades, and were likely only in the playoffs because of them.

 

I struggle to justify the Packers price for Parsons long term but also hate that we have to play him 2x per year. The Eagles traded a 3rd for a very disruptive pass rusher. I think trading 3rds for someone like Philips is acceptable.

[MichiganCardinal]

7 minutes ago, sagnam said:

Flip side. You have to be in it to win it. Neither the Packers nor the Eagles lost because of their trades, and were likely only in the playoffs because of them.

I struggle to justify the Packers price for Parsons long term but also hate that we have to play him 2x per year. The Eagles traded a 3rd for a very disruptive pass rusher. I think trading 3rds for someone like Philips is acceptable.

I think my take is more long-term versus short-term.

The Packers bet the future on the now and finished 9-8-1 with a wildcard exit. The Lions refused to stray from the course and finished 9-8, a record sometimes good enough and sometimes not for a chance. The Packers finish is better in theory, because they had the chance. But now the Lions can add and improve, while the Packers are handicapped.

I'd rather a 9-8 season where we miss the playoffs or squeak in every three or four years, if it means being a true contender the other two or three years. As opposed to mortgaging the future for one big shot, only to fall short at that one big shot and have to struggle to make it to 9-8 for the next 3-4+ years.

[sagnam]

3 hours ago, MichiganCardinal said:

I think my take is more long-term versus short-term.

The Packers bet the future on the now and finished 9-8-1 with a wildcard exit. The Lions refused to stray from the course and finished 9-8, a record sometimes good enough and sometimes not for a chance. The Packers finish is better in theory, because they had the chance. But now the Lions can add and improve, while the Packers are handicapped.

I'd rather a 9-8 season where we miss the playoffs or squeak in every three or four years, if it means being a true contender the other two or three years. As opposed to mortgaging the future for one big shot, only to fall short at that one big shot and have to struggle to make it to 9-8 for the next 3-4+ years.

I don’t like what the Packers did for their long term prospects. I think there is something between that and a no trades though. I don’t value something like a 3rd round pick over picking up talent and making the playoffs.
 

[Motown Bombers]

Brad Holmes has acquired a lot of talent. More than the Packers. It’s like people think that Holmes drafting players doesn’t count.