2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Stanley70]

These prices are making those third round picks look more valuable.

[Motown Bombers]

 

1 minute ago, MichiganCardinal said:

Rapoport's agent-speak and team-talk is getting too confusing for me. The Ravens were only offering a two-year deal? That's not a "strong offer." This is like how a 4+7+Scruggs = 5th round value.

 

 

If the Ravens were fine with that annual amount, but on a two year deal, they should have just franchised him. 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[sagnam]

16 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

Maybe not, but I dispute they couldn't afford it. They had Decker, Ragnow, and Sewell all under contract for 2026. Was the plan all along to make one of them take a major paycut?

I'm hoping these at least means they aren't done fixing the OL and we will see one of Braden Smith or Jermaine Eluemunor next.

I just don’t think Holmes is going to spend money this way. I’m not qualified to say if it’s the right or wrong move. I think Holmes prioritizes preserving future assets over increasing current odds.

 

As long at he doesn’t forget how to draft the Lions will likely be average to above average for the long haul, similar to the Steelers. But unless he has another home run draft or two the Lions will be above average at best. That’s certainly better than most of the Lions history.

 

Maybe if we can string together enough average seasons we might luck into a Super Bowl like this years. Either as the Patriots who got a softest schedule and injury luck, or as the Seahawks who faced a team that didn’t belong there.

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, Motown Bombers said:

Madness

 

I liked Willis very much coming out of the draft and wanted the Lions to draft him in the 2nd or 3rd... (if the draft worked out that way...); but he's had quite a bit of NFL-learning curve issues and still has some more to go through IMO...

Quite a big risk taken by the Dolphins...

[Motown Bombers]

Lions have one 9 win season after winning 12 and 15 games and it’s mediocrity in perpetuity. The irony is, elite teams don’t always spend big in free agency. 

[1984Echoes]

41 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

Exactly what I was looking for...

[Motown Bombers]

Meanwhile, the Saints are back to their old ways of throwing around money. 

[1984Echoes]

On 3/5/2026 at 1:19 PM, 1984Echoes said:

I'd rather go after a cheaper Center like Cade Mays... 3 years $18-21 mill?

He can play Guard or Center which makes him perfectly flexible according to how the Lions IOL shakes out...

IMO.

Plus that's a whole heckuva lot cheaper than Linderbaum.

And I believe Holmes' and Campbell's focus is STILL on draft and development and they do NOT want to spend that much money in free agency on one guy.

At least I believe that that is still true...

A little bit more than I thought... 

But it gives us some IOL depth, and flexibility...

IMO.

[MichiganCardinal]

6 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

Meanwhile, the Saints are back to their old ways of throwing around money. 

They're just being stupid.

 

 

[1984Echoes]

10 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

I think this allows them the flexibility to use a later round pick (4th/ 5th/ 6th...)

On any interior lineman, for depth and competition, that they like...

Without it being position specific. Center. Guard. A guy flexible enough to be play all along the line... 

Whomever they like best as a draftee... without being boxed in by any kind of need...

Even though I know Holmes drafts for the player that he likes... not for need...

I still like the additional flexibility.

[1984Echoes]

33 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

An option I liked for the Lions. 

 

I also really liked Allgeier...

Holmes will just have to pivot to...

[buddha]

4 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

I think this allows them the flexibility to use a later round pick (4th/ 5th/ 6th...)

On any interior lineman, for depth and competition, that they like...

Without it being position specific. Center. Guard. A guy flexible enough to be play all along the line... 

Whomever they like best as a draftee... without being boxed in by any kind of need...

Even though I know Holmes drafts for the player that he likes... not for need...

I still like the additional flexibility.

or we could package our 4th, 5th, and next year's 3rd and 4th to move up in round 3 to take that fullback from middle tennessee state a&m...

[Motown Bombers]

3 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

I also really liked Allgeier...

Holmes will just have to pivot to...

I like Aaron Jones on a one year deal. Good receiver out of the backfield so you can run all the sane plays as you do with Gibbs. 

[MichiganCardinal]

Mike Evans to the 49ers for three years? Have to imagine it's a two-year deal in sheep's clothing. He's old and hurt.

[Motown Bombers]

1 minute ago, buddha said:

or we could package our 4th, 5th, and next year's 3rd and 4th to move up in round 3 to take that fullback from middle tennessee state a&m...

Because Holmes has a history of trading up for a fullback. 

[MichiganCardinal]

Just now, Motown Bombers said:

I like Aaron Jones on a one year deal. Good receiver out of the backfield so you can run all the sane plays as you do with Gibbs. 

I think JK Dobbins fits their profile nicely. Downhill runner who stacks YACs. Of course, he's also very often hurt.

[Motown Bombers]

1 minute ago, MichiganCardinal said:

I think JK Dobbins fits their profile nicely. Downhill runner who stacks YACs. Of course, he's also very often hurt.

I don’t mind going for an injury risk since it isn’t your primary back. 

[Hongbit]

Secondary is in big time need of some love.  

[1984Echoes]

I would prefer to key on pass-protection and tough yards running (goalline, 3rd/4th and shorts...)

But I don't want to lose receiving completely either...

Otherwise I'd be all-in on Brian Robinson.

I think I'd prefer Najee Harris over Jones but... he's coming off injury...

Could the Cardinals just release James Conner please...? They were rumored to be doing so...

That's the guy I want most... a released (if it happens...) Conner.

But...

Waiting...

Waiting...

[Motown Bombers]

4 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

I would prefer to key on pass-protection and tough yards running (goalline, 3rd/4th and shorts...)

But I don't want to lose receiving completely either...

Otherwise I'd be all-in on Brian Robinson.

I think I'd prefer Najee Harris over Jones but... he's coming off injury...

Could the Cardinals just release James Conner please...? They were rumored to be doing so...

That's the guy I want most... a released (if it happens...) Conner.

But...

Waiting...

Waiting...

Conner reworked his contract. He won’t be a free agent. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

1 hour ago, Motown Bombers said:

An option I liked for the Lions. 

 

Does this mean James Connor is out in Arizona? If so, Connor would be a perfect fit here.

[Sports_Freak]

 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Steelers signed Bucaneers CB Jamal Dean for 3 years, $36.75 million. Dean was a guy I had really liked for the Lions in the past before Tampa Bay brought him back. I would have taken Dean at that price I think as a potential insurance for Arnold.