2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Motown Bombers]

46 minutes ago, Nate7474 said:

Luckily Goff is only 31 and his brand of QB ages a lot better than someone who relies on more athletic abilities. Goff also has been extremely healthy in his career so if that continues there is no reason he won’t be able to play as an above average level or better for this whole contract. The key is not being forced into extending him again because we don’t have any succession plan. 

It’s fine anchoring yourself to Goff. They may need to extend him if they keep adding void years. The Eagles did that with Hurts. He has a lot cap number but $97 million in void years. That comes due at the end of the contract unless you extend him. 

[RedRamage]

1 hour ago, gehringer_2 said:

I don't see why people think that because contracts can be restructured, the CAP is fake. If anything, it proves that it's real. The bill still comes due on all those deferrals. If there is a complaint it would be that the CAP keeps going up, which makes deferrals less painful. But that's just because the league keeps making more money (and inflation). But if the league makes more money and today's players that are building that success get to reap some of that benefit, I don't see a problem with that either.

Saying the "the cap is fake" isn't specifically saying the cap isn't real... just that there are way to play around with it to make it feel like it's not as strict as it could (should?) be. I mean the point of the cap is to prevent a handful of teams from just buying up all the talent, but if a team can just buy up all the talent and pay them next year or the year after or the year after... and oh by the way three years down the road that contact that eat up 5% of a teams cap will only count for 3% of the cap then so it's not as much of a hit.

In the end all teams are still playing by the same rules so it's fair. It's not like only 1 or 2 teams know about or can use these tricks. So I'm not complaining that teams are cheating or whatever. Just that it feels like these loop holes make the cap far less of a solid limit and much more of a numbers game that you just need to plug in the right formula rather than actually make sure the contacts stay under a certain limit.

[Motown Bombers]

The Vikings are feeling the effects if the cap and their free spending. They had to cut players, are stuck with overpaid players, and haven’t been active in free agency. 

[gehringer_2]

27 minutes ago, RedRamage said:

Saying the "the cap is fake" isn't specifically saying the cap isn't real... just that there are way to play around with it to make it feel like it's not as strict as it could (should?) be. I mean the point of the cap is to prevent a handful of teams from just buying up all the talent, but if a team can just buy up all the talent and pay them next year or the year after or the year after... and oh by the way three years down the road that contact that eat up 5% of a teams cap will only count for 3% of the cap then so it's not as much of a hit.

In the end all teams are still playing by the same rules so it's fair. It's not like only 1 or 2 teams know about or can use these tricks. So I'm not complaining that teams are cheating or whatever. Just that it feels like these loop holes make the cap far less of a solid limit and much more of a numbers game that you just need to plug in the right formula rather than actually make sure the contacts stay under a certain limit.

I'd take if from a different angle. In the NFL, you have a negotiated revenue split. It's not really a 'cap' in the sense of a number that protects owners from overspending or limits what any player can be paid- every NFL team must spend the same total on players. If a team's contracts don't total the cap (within 95%) in a given year, all the players on that team get a % surcharge adjustment. If they are over they have to cut players or move spending commitments into the future. It doesn't favor any team, its just the budget number that represents each team's players right to their percentage of league revenues. If some teams do a better job of managing contracts within those rules than others, what else is new?

 

Edited 8 hours ago by gehringer_2

[ewsieg]

13 hours ago, Jason_R said:

All joking aside, it is a bush league look for the NFL, not just the Ravens, that a trade like this can get reported as a done deal then invalidated. 

Key word being 'reported'.  As far as I know both the Raiders and Ravens never said anything publicly.  Not allowing it to be reported on would be the same as telling beat writers not to talk about trade rumors around a deadline.  

I imagine we'll know the full story some day, but I am leaning towards the stories that the Ravens got cold feet and scrutinized the physical, although legally I think up until trades can be officially accepted, Ravens had the right to back out.  That said, doing so could be considered bush league, just as doing so with a scrutinized physical would be bush league too.

[MichiganCardinal]

14 minutes ago, ewsieg said:

Key word being 'reported'.  As far as I know both the Raiders and Ravens never said anything publicly.  Not allowing it to be reported on would be the same as telling beat writers not to talk about trade rumors around a deadline.  

I imagine we'll know the full story some day, but I am leaning towards the stories that the Ravens got cold feet and scrutinized the physical, although legally I think up until trades can be officially accepted, Ravens had the right to back out.  That said, doing so could be considered bush league, just as doing so with a scrutinized physical would be bush league too.

The Raiders broke the news themselves with their passive aggressive statement about the Ravens “backing out” of the deal.

They're the origin of the drama, but I also get why they’re pissed.

[Sports_Freak]

3 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

The Raiders broke the news themselves with their passive aggressive statement about the Ravens “backing out” of the deal.

They're the origin of the drama, but I also get why they’re pissed.

Its also on the NFL Website. I think it very well may be true. The Raiders are very dysfunctional and dealing with them brings a team down to their level of stupidity. 

[Sports_Freak]

2 hours ago, Nate7474 said:

I believe the organization looks for good locker room guy and someone last who’s very good at the game plan part of the position. I also think Bridgewater did a good job as a mentor to Hooker could be an indicator that the Lions would like to use a mid to late round on a QB lottery ticket and see if it hits. There are some intriguing toolsy QBs out there this year that could be had late and see what happens. 

Having a veteran QB in the QB room also has benefits over some raw rookie. Teddy may see things that a young guy would miss and actually help game planning. Or, maybe not, I really don't know, but it sounds good. 😆

[sagnam]

“Everyone” knows that the trade isn’t official until the physical is passed and paperwork filed. Technically this is all legit, but it certainly appears that someone is acting in bad faith, and the timing between the failed physical and signing Hendrickson makes it look like the Ravens are the bad actor. It’s hard to believe that teams, agents, and players wouldn’t be less likely to make a deal with them knowing that they will back out of a deal if they see a better option.

 

There isn’t really a fix to this, as deals can’t be finalized until physicals and paperwork, so there is inherently a delay between agreeing to a deal and making it official. The time between agreeing to a deal and the Ravens backing out is lost and can never be recovered. Players are signed and teams change strategy once deals are made.

 

There is no rule set to protect teams from this. Even having a third party physician making the determination is probably not safe, there will always be the risk of bias. This is a case where the market needs to punish the Ravens based off of them now being more risky.

 

Unless we learn that there is a serious issue with Crosby’s recovery, and given patients rights we really can’t expect to learn that, this is a really bad look for the Ravens.

[lordstanley]

I hate when after a couple days of excitement about a star lineman a failed physical changes everything.

[Jason_R]

17 minutes ago, lordstanley said:

I hate when after a couple days of excitement about a star lineman a failed physical changes everything.

Happy Thanksgiving Frank Ragnow. 

[Sports_Freak]

10 minutes ago, Jason_R said:

Happy Thanksgiving Frank Ragnow. 

Lmao....I was thinking of his situation the other day. You think it may be possible if he woulda been healthy, the Lions make the playoffs? One win away...

[Shinzaki]

One play away...That phantom OPI call on Teslaa on the final drive against Pittsburgh took the Sun God game winning TD off the board

[Motor City Sonics]

I dont think the Lions Super Bowl window is closed or is all that close to closing.     All teams have flaws.   They just need to stay healthy and they are right there with any team in the NFC.    They had a terrible year last year and still finished with a winning record.  

 I have always thought they'd have  step-back year before they got there and I am hoping last year was it. 

If it does happen, I think it's gonna happen in a year where we don't expect it. 

They still have a ton of talent on the team.  Just have to stay standing. 

[Stanley70]

If they hit on this draft and a one or two guys from the Tyleik Williams, Rakestraw, and Terrion Arnold group breakout they will be fine. That and staying healthy.

If they play a little more 2 deep safeties i'm hoping the CB's improve quite a bit. 

[Sports_Freak]

1 minute ago, Stanley70 said:

If they hit on this draft and a one or two guys from the Tyleik Williams, Rakestraw, and Terrion Arnold group breakout they will be fine. That and staying healthy.

If they play a little more 2 deep safeties i'm hoping the CB's improve quite a bit. 

The corners would be much better with a consistent pass rush. Its a chicken-egg thing....😁

[Tenacious D]

1 hour ago, Motor City Sonics said:

I dont think the Lions Super Bowl window is closed or is all that close to closing.     All teams have flaws.   They just need to stay healthy and they are right there with any team in the NFC.    They had a terrible year last year and still finished with a winning record.  

 I have always thought they'd have  step-back year before they got there and I am hoping last year was it. 

If it does happen, I think it's gonna happen in a year where we don't expect it. 

They still have a ton of talent on the team.  Just have to stay standing. 

This is their Super Bowl year.  Last place schedule, young core, gifted skill players and Brad cooking’ in the Draft—we are poised for a special year.

Our biggest challenge once we win the SB is figuring out what we are supposed to do with our hands.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

18 minutes ago, Stanley70 said:

If they hit on this draft and a one or two guys from the Tyleik Williams, Rakestraw, and Terrion Arnold group breakout they will be fine. That and staying healthy.

If they play a little more 2 deep safeties i'm hoping the CB's improve quite a bit. 

Counting on Rakestraw is not an option at this point. He hasn't played a full game in two seasons. He always injured and shown no signs of returning anytime soon. He's a bust through and through unfortunately.

[buddha]

27 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

This is their Super Bowl year.  Last place schedule, young core, gifted skill players and Brad cooking’ in the Draft—we are poised for a special year.

Our biggest challenge once we win the SB is figuring out what we are supposed to do with our hands.

someone should remind brad about the recipes he used to make...

[MichiganCardinal]

They cut Paschal. Holmes said “I know I haven’t signed anyone at the position, but the mystery box can’t be worse.”

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Whoa! I did not see them cutting one of their own guys like that. I think Paschal's injury, whatever is going on there, might be permanent and career ending unfortunately. He wasn't much of a contributor when he was here. Another 2nd round pick that turned into a bust for the Lions in the long line of them.

[Motown Bombers]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Paschal is signed to the practice squad. 

[Hongbit]

50 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if Paschal is signed to the practice squad. 

I’d expect someone to sign him and take flyer and try him out over the offseason.   

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Any reason why neither St. Brown or Sewell have been restructured yet? Clearly, these are guys that will be on the team for the foreseeable future. Is it just a case that the organization feels they don't need that extra cap flexibility for this offseason and they've done all they're going to do?

[KL2]

5 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Any reason why neither St. Brown or Sewell have been restructured yet? Clearly, these are guys that will be on the team for the foreseeable future. Is it just a case that the organization feels they don't need that extra cap flexibility for this offseason and they've done all they're going to do?

Probably like if you extend people it just kicks the can. No reason to add more problem down the road for money today if you don’t need the money today.