2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Motown Bombers]

A big reason why the Lions have $13 million in cap is because they signed Hutchinson and Williams to extensions and lowering the cap hit on that 5th year option. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

When I was looking at Spotrac they were showing the Lions as having over $20 million cap space, which would be 5th most in the league. Any restructures they do only adds to that. It seems with the restructures they would be in a very healthy cap situation with plenty of money to spend in free agency if they are smart about it. Brad doesn't blow money in free agency, so I'm certain they will be smart about who they sign. I just want them to be more aggressive in addressing needs, particularly along the interior Oline.

[Motown Bombers]

34 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

When I was looking at Spotrac they were showing the Lions as having over $20 million cap space, which would be 5th most in the league. Any restructures they do only adds to that. It seems with the restructures they would be in a very healthy cap situation with plenty of money to spend in free agency if they are smart about it. Brad doesn't blow money in free agency, so I'm certain they will be smart about who they sign. I just want them to be more aggressive in addressing needs, particularly along the interior Oline.

They have $20 million right now for 2025. For 2026, per Spotrac, they have $13 million which is 20th. They were $7 million over but rolling over $20 million puts them under the cap. They were still over the cap even with rolling over cash but the Hutchinson extension gave them room next year. If they signed Zeitler for the contract he got with Tennessee, that would have been $9 million less this year, which means $9 million less to roll over, which would mean only $4 million in space next year vs $13 million and Zeitler no longer on the team. The Lions signed arguably the top cornerback available last year so it’s not like they weren’t active. 

[KL2]

On 1/2/2026 at 10:28 PM, Motown Bombers said:

They have $20 million right now for 2025. For 2026, per Spotrac, they have $13 million which is 20th. They were $7 million over but rolling over $20 million puts them under the cap. They were still over the cap even with rolling over cash but the Hutchinson extension gave them room next year. If they signed Zeitler for the contract he got with Tennessee, that would have been $9 million less this year, which means $9 million less to roll over, which would mean only $4 million in space next year vs $13 million and Zeitler no longer on the team. The Lions signed arguably the top cornerback available last year so it’s not like they weren’t active. 

Yeah but with zeitler they might have been a playoff team, and if we won the Super Bowl nobody would have cared about having an extra 7 million in this years free agency. Can’t just portray it as well we don’t sign this guy so we could have more space in 2026, could that be the right move? Maybe. But there is more to it than you present.

and we signed the top corner cause we lost a top corner. So it’s not like we were actively upgrading much, more of a replacement. Again context matters.

[Motown Bombers]

39 minutes ago, KL2 said:

Yeah but with zeitler they might have been a playoff team, and if we won the Super Bowl nobody would have cared about having an extra 7 million in this years free agency. Can’t just portray it as well we don’t sign this guy so we could have more space in 2026, could that be the right move? Maybe. But there is more to it than you present.

and we signed the top corner cause we lost a top corner. So it’s not like we were actively upgrading much, more of a replacement. Again context matters.

The Lions were a 15 win team who had most of their defense coming back healthy. They didn’t need many upgrades. Ragnow hadn’t retired. Holmes could have went into 2025 with the two guys he drafted, Arnold and Rakestraw, as CB one and two. Instead, he signed the top corner available. Context matters. 
 

Zeitler is only a marginal improvement over Ratledge. The fact you think Zeitler could elevate a 9 win team to a Super Bowl is laughable. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

The argument, at least on my end, is that there was speculation of Ragnow retiring for two straight offseasons, this one and the last. So if fans and the media were speculating about it, you'd have to think the organization was aware of it. What some of us wanted was for them to preplan for such a significant loss to your offensive line. It's why I wanted a G/C draft pick in the 2024 draft and wanted someone in this year's draft. 

I think if you added either a Zach Frazier or Jackson Powers-Johnson, had them sit behind Ragnow for a year, and brought back Zietler or a comparable free agent, you're looking at a different scenario for this season.

If our OL this year was Decker/Ratledge/Fraizer/Zeitler/Sewell with Mahogany, Colon, and Skipper coming off the bench I think that's a net WAR of at least a win, quite possibly a net of two wins. 

[Motown Bombers]

9 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

The argument, at least on my end, is that there was speculation of Ragnow retiring for two straight offseasons, this one and the last. So if fans and the media were speculating about it, you'd have to think the organization was aware of it. What some of us wanted was for them to preplan for such a significant loss to your offensive line. It's why I wanted a G/C draft pick in the 2024 draft and wanted someone in this year's draft. 

I think if you added either a Zach Frazier or Jackson Powers-Johnson, had them sit behind Ragnow for a year, and brought back Zietler or a comparable free agent, you're looking at a different scenario for this season.

If our OL this year was Decker/Ratledge/Fraizer/Zeitler/Sewell with Mahogany, Colon, and Skipper coming off the bench I think that's a net WAR of at least a win, quite possibly a net of two wins. 

All offseason you were arguing for Trey Hendrickson which would have been a disaster. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

24 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

All offseason you were arguing for Trey Hendrickson which would have been a disaster. 

Yes. And I made other comments the last two offseasons about wanting to get younger on the offensive line. I also made a comment about bringing back Zietler or bringing in a veteran Guard. During the 2024 Draft I specifically mentioned wanting to draft one of JPJ or Fraizer, so this isn't me stating all this in hindsight.

[lordstanley]

Didn’t know where to put this, but because he often talks Lions…

 

[Tenacious D]

7 minutes ago, lordstanley said:

Didn’t know where to put this, but because he often talks Lions…

 

Awful news.  I had wondered if something was wrong as he hadn’t updated his podcast in a few months.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

That's terrible news to hear. Pat hasn't been on 97.1 The Ticket as much lately and this explains why I guess. Pat has been an institution in Detroit sports media and radio for nearly 30 years going back to WDFN and Team 1270. I know a full recovery isn't very likely with that type of cancer diagnosis, but my thoughts go out to Pat and his family and I hope he fights and pulls through.

[MichiganCardinal]

I'm really bummed to hear that. Pat would drive me crazy in recent years with his weird off-the-wall takes, it was like he had taken a page from Valenti's book inexplicably. But his voice was unmatched. You knew who you were listening to when you turned on the station and he was (and is) a voice of Detroit sports, in the same way Ernie, Ken Kal, and Dan Miller are.

His institutional knowledge of local sports was also unparalleled. In his heyday, he could tell you the kicker's names at both Warren Mott and Waterford Mott, and which one would be more reliable from 40 yards out.

[Motown Bombers]

Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator in Washington. That got me thinking of another coach on their staff, David Blough. Blough was considered an up and comer in the coaching ranks. Holmes and Campbell has a lot of respect for him as they always tried to keep him on the practice squad because they liked him in the film room. Jumping from assistant QB coach to offensive coordinator is quite the job. Maybe pass game coordinator with a track to offensive coordinator? It seems like a good fit. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

If Kevin Stefanski somehow doesn't land another coaching job, he's got to be at the top of our list for OC. I know the Browns offense was terrible, but that falls on the lack of talent on the field more than it does Stefanski's play calling or coaching IMO. When your QB room is Dillion Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Kenny Pickett that's just not going to win anyone, any amount of games.

[Jason_R]

2 hours ago, Motown Bombers said:

Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator in Washington. That got me thinking of another coach on their staff, David Blough. Blough was considered an up and comer in the coaching ranks. Holmes and Campbell has a lot of respect for him as they always tried to keep him on the practice squad because they liked him in the film room. Jumping from assistant QB coach to offensive coordinator is quite the job. Maybe pass game coordinator with a track to offensive coordinator? It seems like a good fit. 

I believe Blough was the one who tipped Washington off to Detroit's formations or plays in the playoff game. 

[Sports_Freak]

Next season opponents. Buffalo and New England will be tough and one of our home games is an international one. Hoping for Germany;

 

[Motown Bombers]

I could get behind this. Hire someone like Blough to be the offensive coordinator. 

 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[MichiganCardinal]

My OC Tier List

Top Three
1. Kliff Kingsbury, Free Agent: Probably my top choice at the moment, though I think it would be polarizing and many would hate it. On the surface, his background is in college and he's failed in both Arizona and Washington. But he's a very good OC. He's why Washington went as far as they did last year, a large reason why Jayden Daniels won OROY, and it's not as if he's the reason the Commies lost this year. I see a lot of Washington fans confused why he is leaving and wondering if he was fired or just quit. That said, it's not as if there are no potential drawbacks. Kyler Murray and Jayden Daniels are different quarterbacks than Jared Goff. He would need to adapt his offense to suit the type of talent Detroit has.

2. Kevin Stefanski, Free Agent: I think this is the most logical move if he doesn't get a head coaching gig. He'd be a good hire. But, it also feels like he's a very short-term solution. Either he's good and he bolts for a head coaching gig next offseason, or he's bad and he's the OC version of Matt Eberflus in Dallas, fired after one season. Naturally, anyone you hire for OC will hope to one day leave for a HC position. But ideally you could get at least a few years out of a good candidate before you go back to the drawing board. Stefanski likely won't stop being a hot candidate for open jobs unless he sucks as a coordinator.

3. Pete Carmichael Jr., Broncos Senior Offensive Assistant: This would be a little John Morton 2.0, which makes me nervous, but at least Carmichael has had tangible success as an OC, unlike Morton. If the goal is to replicate the Saints' offensive success with Drew Brees, there's no better man to do it than one of its architects. During the Saints run, Payton and Carmichael actually traded play calling back and forth, which may be something that intrigues Campbell... Now, Carmichael got worse and ultimately fired when Brees and Payton left town. But, it's not as if he had much to work with, trotting out Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, and Derek Carr while suffering from the cap hell his old bosses put him in. His last year in New Orleans they still finished 9th in scoring and 14th in offensive yards despite starting Derek Carr. When they ditched him for Kubiak, they dropped to 24th and 21st, respectively.

Good Candidates
4. Mike Kafka, Giants OC and Interim Head Coach: Kafka is young and a sharp offensive mind. The Giants development of Dart and Skattebo is in no small part thanks to him. He's also not that far removed from a lot of head coaching interest, and he might get interviews this cycle. But he's also not really proven himself as a play caller like some of the above names. I do like him more than his former boss though.

5. Brian Dabboll, Free Agent: It's easy to remember why Dabboll got hired in New York for his work with the Patriots and Bills and forget that he had previously been fired by the Jets, Browns, Dolphins, and Chiefs. Is he a good OC? I think he is. But I'm not sure if he's the chicken or the egg based on the successes of Tom Brady in New England and Josh Allen in Buffalo. I won't hate this if it's the direction Campbell goes. But I won't be surprised by any which direction it goes.

Less Enthusiastic
6. Marcus Brady, Chargers Passing Game Coordinator: Brady was the OC for the Colts from 2021 to 2022, where he was pretty good in 2021 with Carson Wentz and then very bad in 2022 with Matt Ryan, getting fired in November. Reich called the plays in Indy though, so fair to say he was something of a scapegoat. He probably deserves another shot, and I wouldn't hate this, but I also don't think it's super likely. He's never called plays, so it would be a weird marriage.

7. Nate Scheelhaase, Rams Passing Game Coordinator: Scheelhaase is a young, up-and-coming OC candidate who has done well this year in the McVay machine and seems likely to get his chance soon as an OC. But he's also unproven, has never called plays, and is in only his second year in the NFL after working with Matt Campbell at Iowa State for five years. I don't hate the idea of finding a young up-and-comer, but it's hard to ignore the known unknowns.

Wildcards
8. Mike LaFleur/Klay Kubiak/Grant Udinski, Rams/49ers/Jaguars OC: I lump these three together because I don't think any are particularly likely, but I also wouldn't be shocked by Campbell trying to poach an OC from an organization like the Rams, 49ers, or Jaguars, where their head coach calls the plays. You don't really hear about any of these guys for head coaching gigs (maybe notwithstanding Udinski this cycle), because they are overshadowed by McVay, Shanahan, and Coen. If they don't want to be stuck in coaching purgatory, it's not crazy to think one may take a jump to a play calling role in an offense with weapons like what the Lions have to offer. Though worth noting that Mike LaFleur called plays for the Jets and was terrible (kind of a recurring theme for Jets play callers).

9. David Blough, Commanders Assistant QB Coach: Already mentioned by MTB, this would be out of left field, but I don't hate it if Campbell wants someone to mold who would likely keep the role for a few years. He's very young, but the regime obviously likes him. But, he's never called plays and Campbell would presumably retain play calling duties. I like him more to join as Passing Game Coordinator assuming Shaw leaves with Morton. If they really want youth, Kafka and Scheelhaase are both in their 30s and seem like better options.

Internal
10. Scottie Montgomery/Hank Fraley/Mark Brunell: All leave something to be desired. I'd like to keep all three, but frankly if they weren't the guy last cycle, what about 9-8 has set them apart this season? In addition, this would probably come with Campbell keeping play calling, which I am not a fan of.

No Thanks
11. Tanner Engstrand, Jets OC: I don't think they would be interested, but I do think he would accept if they were. It could be they didn't see the experience they wanted in an OC last year, and he's now got a year under his belt. I saw nothing out of the New York Jets offense worthy of a promotion though.

12. Eric Bienemy, Bears Running Back Coach: After everyone got up in arms about Bienemy not getting a head coach gig, he's kind of proven everyone right by failing in Washington and at UCLA (though I'm not sure what success actually would look like at the latter). I think there are worse choices out there, but there are better choices too. Ultimately I don't think he will be on the Lions list and I wouldn't at all be surprised if he ends up taking his old job back in KC this offseason.

[MichiganCardinal]

On the other side of the ball, I think Campbell declining to provide Sheppard with a vote of confidence on 97.1 was telling. I think he will ultimately be back, but I don't think it's guaranteed, if there are better options that present themselves.

Most notably, I think you have to call Jim Schwartz. If Schwartz isn't retained by the new Browns coach, I would gauge his interest in a reunion. If you follow his track record, the guy is legitimately one of the best DCs in NFL history. Everywhere he goes, he makes the defense a top unit in the NFL. I think he could get Hutch to break Garrett's record.

Other guys I may have some interest in are Brian Flores, Jonathan Gannon, and Todd Bowles. But I wouldn't get too risky with it, I think you can do a lot worse than bringing Sheppard back.

 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

If Harbaugh is out, does this mean Todd Monken is available? Will he just follow Harbaugh to wherever he goes next and be his OC there?

[MichiganCardinal]

1 minute ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

If Harbaugh is out, does this mean Todd Monken is available? Will he just follow Harbaugh to wherever he goes next and be his OC there?

I would expect him to follow Harbaugh if Harbaugh doesn't take time off or just call it quits. Harbaugh is 63 and has seen what staying around too long does to Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick. He may call it a career.

If Harbaugh still has the itch though he will likely have his pick of jobs, but none of them really jump off the page as great opportunities. New York is probably the best with Dart, Skattebo, and the #5 pick.

If he's available I would probably put Monken in my "Good Candidates" bucket.

[Motown Bombers]

I would bring back Schwartz as DC. There is precedent for that, look at Vance Joseph. Ownership and management are completely different from when Schwartz was here. This is a completely different organization.