2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Ultimately, what I want this team to do in the offseason and what Brad will do will defer. First and foremost, I want Brad to restructure his most expensive contracts to clear up $80-$100 million in cap space. I see no reason why Goff, Sewell, and St. Brown shouldn't be offered restructured deals. All three players seem to be happy here and all three are obviously cornerstone pieces of this franchise. Unless they simply don't want to restructure, reworking their contracts should be the top priority.

From a transactional standpoint. I want them to rebuild their offensive line. As most fans and the media seem to universally agree upon, they need to go get a starting center, a starting tackle of the future to replace Decker, and depth at the swing spot between guard and tackle. I'm not so certain they will do this via free agency though and spend big on either tackle or center. Unless they get a great value contract, on an injured guy like Jedrick Wills, I think it's more likely they go this way through the draft versus free agency to upgrade the line. I admit that I don't have some great reasoning for it, it's just how I feel. If they can't get great contractual value though and not take a big hit on their cap, I can see a guy like Wills coming here to be Decker's longterm replacement.

I also want them to find another starting corner as I'm not sure how much we can trust Arnold at this point given both hwo he has played thus far and now his off field issues that have bubbled up. I certainly don't even expect Rakestraw to even play or be on the roster for much longer, so he's not work a thing. I also wasn't sold on how DJ Reed played last year either. So I think getting a starting corner should be a top priority.

Another top issue I'd like for them to address is getting a edge rusher to work opposite Aidan. If that means bringing back Al-Quadin Muhammad on the right price, at the right term, I'm fine with that. Muhammad may command a bigger contract than they are willing to pay. But if we're clearing up $80+ million in cap space, I might be willing to run it back again with Muhammad if the price isn't too obscene.

The final area of "need?" is at safety. I say "need?" in quotations as a question because we just don't know what the injury situations will look like for Branch and Joseph. If they come back healthy and can return to form or at least be managed properly, even if not fully, 100% the players they were, this obviously isn't a need. They have two of the very best safeties in the entire NFL. If not though. and Joseph most especially is out long-term, this becomes a big need all of a sudden. I'm not spending either big dollars in free agency or 1st or 2nd round draft capital on a safety if I can avoid it. I think there are other, more pressing needs that come first.

[Jason_R]

14 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

Brutal. Sheila needs to commission a study into the nature of these injuries to determine if there is some preventable factor. One historically bad season is a fluke. Two back to back is an alarming trend. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

1 hour ago, Jason_R said:

Brutal. Sheila needs to commission a study into the nature of these injuries to determine if there is some preventable factor. One historically bad season is a fluke. Two back to back is an alarming trend. 

I wonder how many NFL teams routinely do full contact practices as hard and as early in the season/preseason as the Lions do? We've heard from new players into the organization and from others around the league that no one practices as hard as we do. I wonder if there is anything to the idea that Dan pushes guys too hard in practice?

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Motown Bombers]

I’m guessing the Lions approached Decker about re-negotiating his contract to take a pay cut and he declined. 

[Shinzaki]

Gary wants out in GB...perfect compliment to Hutch?

Decker had a good run here...but he was a real question mark going into 2026...this gives them a level of certainty before the draft and FA

Edited 10 hours ago by Shinzaki

[Jason_R]

2 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

I’m guessing the Lions approached Decker about re-negotiating his contract to take a pay cut and he declined. 

Yes, and they needed to do it. You can’t pay a guy $15+ million if you assume they won’t be able to play more than 80% of the season, and they are likely to be dinged up when they are on the field. 

With Decker off the books, I’m more favorable to signing a guy like Linderbaum and earmarking the 1st round pick for a plug and play tackle. It is a deep draft for that. 

[Motown Bombers]

This frees up $11 million in cap space. Lions should be about $5-6 million under now. Restructure Goff and you got about $45-50 million to work with. Extend Gibbs and Campbell and get more immediate relief. 

[Shinzaki]

I think I just heard them say it's closer to 15 million on 97.1

[4hzglory]

4 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

This frees up $11 million in cap space. Lions should be about $5-6 million under now. Restructure Goff and you got about $45-50 million to work with. Extend Gibbs and Campbell and get more immediate relief. 

And if they decide to make it a June 1 cut, it would free up approx $17 mil.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

First off, thank you. Thank you Taylor Decker for being an anchor on the offensive line over the last decade. Thank you for suffering through all the years of misery with Matt Patricia and rebuilding. Thank you for sacrificing your body and your mind playing many tough years for this franchise. Thank you for being an anchor on this line when it was the anchor for this team for several years of playoff teams. Love you Taylor Decker and much respect. Thank you for all you've done.

[Motown Bombers]

With Decker and Ragnow off the books, you can probably go all in on Linderbaum, draft a tackle in this draft which is deep, sign a veteran RB2, maybe get someone like Bradley Chubb opposite Hutchinson and sign your depth pieces. 

[RatkoVarda]

I know PFF is not perfect, but they had Decker actually graded out as an average LT. So if Brad and Dan try to "next man up" this situation, we are looking at a 7-10 record. Need a real FA signing AND a high draft pick to address the OL.

[buddha]

the identity of the team was the oline.  need to get a solid replacement for decker at the line's most important position.  or move sewell.

agree that this puts linderbaum in play for them.  might be the best solution if its feasible.

[Nate7474]

9 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

I know PFF is not perfect, but they had Decker actually graded out as an average LT. So if Brad and Dan try to "next man up" this situation, we are looking at a 7-10 record. Need a real FA signing AND a high draft pick to address the OL.

I think there’s by my count 7 tackles that are 1st rd/early second round talents. You have Sewell who could play either side although there may be a desire to keep him where he is. As much as I have liked Decker he is done with the best you are going to get is an average tackle with injury issues. I think Holmes is looking for a fringe starter but mostly swing tackle to be the vet and then draft a rookie in the first 2 rounds. Best man wins the job with the other one pushing all year. 

[Stanley70]

As much as I respect Decker this is probably the best outcome for the team. Freeling or Fano would be nice. Then still a lot of money to address other issues.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Would you feel comfortable with a young, but an oft-injured guy like Jedrick Wills as a replacement for Decker?

[Hongbit]

How would everyone feel if Decker signed with the Bears?

I’m still processing my thoughts. I think I would be ok, even happy he’s gone, but would rethink that if he went to Chicago.  I’d rather have him than Ben having him.  

[Motown Bombers]

[RatkoVarda]

i am no cap expert, but if you are paying the top of the market for Linderbaum and Sewell, isn't that manageable if you have rookies deals at the other 3 positions?

[MichiganCardinal]

Well that changes things.

[number20]

A pending bidding war for Linderbaum. The Bears want him too

[RatkoVarda]

the 2024 draft fiasco looms even larger now:

Arnold - he will soon will find out what happens when you are a non-impact player who has off-field issues

Rakestraw - injured player has been injured

Manu - not good enough to fill Skipper's shoes, let alone Decker's

Vaki - instead of filling DMo role, he's a ST player, which you can find in 7R or undrafted guy

Wingo - too small

Mahogany - if he stays healthy, could start for next few years at LG

[Stanley70]

14 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

the 2024 draft fiasco looms even larger now:

Arnold - he will soon will find out what happens when you are a non-impact player who has off-field issues

Rakestraw - injured player has been injured

Manu - not good enough to fill Skipper's shoes, let alone Decker's

Vaki - instead of filling DMo role, he's a ST player, which you can find in 7R or undrafted guy

Wingo - too small

Mahogany - if he stays healthy, could start for next few years at LG

Plus it cost extra picks for Arnold, Manu, and Vaki.

I think there is still hope for a few of these guys, but this is the year for them to show it.

[Motown Bombers]