Lions Team Notes

Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo thinks new Detroit Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard could be a special coach in the NFL.

Specifically, Spagnuolo told reporters at the Super Bowl festivies in New Orleans on Monday he thinks Sheppard could be a head coach.

“If I could make a mini projection, [Sheppard] will be a head coach in this league, in my opinion,” Spagnuolo said. “He was one of the smartest players I had back in New York, and we were fortunate enough to get him.”

Sheppard played for Spagnuolo for the Giants in 2016 and part of 2017. The Lions named Sheppard as their replacement for former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, promoting Sheppard after four seasons of coaching linebackers in Detroit.

“He was a lot like Antonio Pierce I had there in New York earlier, and when Kelvin came there I thought he just kind of galvanized all the guys with his football intelligence and just the way he played the game,” Spagnuolo said Monday. “And you can see it now as a coach now. I knew he’d always be a coach and a really good one.”

Sheppard is one of several coaches in new positions for the Lions in 2025 after the departures of Glenn, Ben Johnson, and other assistants who moved on to take promotions elsewhere.

Spagnuolo’s success in New York earned him a head-coaching gig for the St. Louis Rams from 2009-2011. Since then he’s bounced from a handful of teams in defensive roles until landing in Kansas City in 2019.

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Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams made the day of a lucky Detroit resident by paying for his groceries at a local convenience store.

Williams posted the interaction on his Instagram, telling the gentleman “It’s on Waymo.”

After some run ins with the NFL this season after the league disapproved of some of his touchdown celebrations, Williams has a positive light on him during Super Bowl week.

Williams is fresh off his first 1,000-yard season for the Lions. Certainly Williams would love to be in New Orleans this week preparing for the Super Bowl, but this bit of news at least can put a quick smile on Lions fans’ faces during the big week.

Jamo covering unc’s gas station run
😂
🔥


“IT’S ON WAYMO!”#OnePride pic.twitter.com/wbnFvtN5lk

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰
📰
(@the_det_times) February 5, 2025
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Lions All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is a big fan of the team hiring former Stanford head coach David Shaw as Detroit’s new passing game coordinator. The St. Brown family, including Amon-Ra, has a long history with Shaw.

“I’ve known Shaw since high school,” St. Brown conversed with his brother, Equanumeous in the latest episode of their podcast. Shaw recruited all three St. Brown brothers–Amon-Ra, Equanimeous and Osiris–to play for him at Stanford. Osiris wound up joining Shaw with the Cardinal.

“I always thought he was a great guy, honest, and then you went to Notre Dame and Osiris always wanted to go to Stanford, so he ended up going to Stanford,” St. Brown stated. “I went to the camps at Stanford with him, with Osiris, saw Shaw there, and so we kind of got to know him.”

Shaw will work closely with new Lions offensive coordinator John Morton, who was with the Lions in 2022 and returned after two seasons in Denver. St Brown is pumped about the passing game concepts and potential with the new leadership on the offense.

“He was with Johnny (Morton) in Denver and Johnny Mo was doing a lot of good stuff when he was here in Detroit so I’m excited,” St. Brown said.

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The Detroit Lions have filled one of the remaining coaching vacancies that was created by assistant coaches leaving to take promotions with other teams. The Lions are hiring Bruce Gradkowski as an offensive assistant.

Gradkowski was a longtime NFL quarterback, a journeyman who played for five teams in his career. He’s best known as the primary starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his rookie season of 2006.

This will be Gradkowski’s first NFL coaching opportunity, but he’s not new to the professional ranks. The 42-year-old was the offensive coordinator for the St. Louiis Battlehawks of the UFL for the last two seasons.

It’s unclear what Gradkowski’s initial role will be, but he makes sense as a direct replacement for former assistant QB coach J.T. Barrett, who joined Ben Johnson’s staff in Chicago. However, his play-calling experience and creative play designs with the Battlehawks could have Gradkowski in line for a more substantial role.

Related​

Amon-Ra St. Brown excited to play under new Lions PGC David Shaw​



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The NFL continues to expand its international footprint. After announcing a 2026 regular-season game in Australia recently, the league has revealed that there will be a game in Ireland in 2025.

Alas, the Detroit Lions will not be involved in the trip to Croke Park Stadium in Dublin for the game. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been designated the host team for the NFL’s first-ever game in Ireland. Detroit and Pittsburgh will indeed play in 2025, but the game will be at Ford Field in Ireland.

There is early speculation that the Green Bay Packers will be Pittsburgh’s foe in their Irish trip. The official announcement of the schedule comes later this offseason.

Related​

Lions home and away opponents for the 2025 season now set​



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The biggest awards and honors were handed out Thursday during NFL Honors New Orleans. The Lions were well-represented throughout the honors and the voting, from winners to getting a vote or two. Here’s a quick rundown of how the Lions did in the various categories.

Former offensive coordinator and now Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson easily won the award for Assistant Coach of the Year. Former defensive coordinator and now New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn finished third in voting.

Safety Kerby Joseph finished sixth in voting for Defensive Player of the Year (won by Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II), just missing out on being named a finalist. He finished just three points behind Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (63-60). Joseph did received a first-place vote from Doug Farrar of Athlon Sports (and formerly of Touchdown Wire).

Two Lions wide receivers received votes for Comeback Player of Year, which was won by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Tim Patrick, perhaps surprisingly, saw three first-place votes (Rich Gannon, Mark Craig, Bruce Murray) and Jameson Williams received a fourth-place vote.

Four Lions players received votes for Offensive Player of the Year, won by Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Leading the way was running back Jahmyr Gibbs (one second-place vote, six 4th and one 5th). Quarterback Jared Goff had a 4th and a 5th, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell each had two fifth-place votes.

Head coach Dan Campbell fell short of winning Coach of the Year. He had 19 of the 50 first-place votes, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell won the award thanks to receiving 25 first-place votes.

Goff was also in the running for MVP, finishing fifth in voting. In a close vote, Bills quarterback Josh Allen (27 first-place votes, 383 total points) edged out Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (23 first-place votes, 362 points) to take home his first career MVP award.

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Former Lions safety and one-time interim head coach Dick Jauron has passed away. Jauron was 74.

A fourth-round draft pick by the Lions in 1973 out of Yale, Jauron played five seasons in Detroit. He finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 1973 thanks to four INTs and two fumble recoveries, leading the NFL in interception return yards.

Following his playing career, Jauron moved into coaching. He joined the Lions as the defensive coordinator in 2004 after five seasons as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. He took over as the interim head coach in Detroit for the final five games in 2005 after Steve Mariucci was fired, going 1-4. He later became the head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

Our condolences are with Jauron’s family and loved ones.

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The Detroit Lions boasted one of the best offenses in the NFL over the last couple of seasons, thanks largely in part to a stellar rushing attack.

Lions running back David Montgomery talked to NFL Network on Wednesday about that success in tandem with fellow RB Jahmyr Gibbs, saying they’re “definitely the best running back duo in the league.”

“Definitely the best RB duo in the league.” @MontgomerDavid talks about sharing the backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs in the @Lions offense 🩵 pic.twitter.com/UU2qgUXDZD

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 5, 2025
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“That’s my dog,” Montgomery said of Gibbs. “You’ve gotta be in a position — a mental headspace — to be appreciative of somebody else’s success… We’re all competitors, we all want to play ball and we all want to be the guy but sometimes you’ve gotta be selfless for the greater good of the team.”

Montgomery was the starting running back for most of the 2024-25 season, but Gibbs split time with him virtually evenly throughout each game, depending on the script. Gibbs did start the Lions’ last three games of the regular season following Montgomery’s knee injury.

The tandem’s 32 scrimmage touchdowns led all NFL backfields and Gibbs led the league overall with 20 touchdowns of his own.

“When it’s all said and done, when we’re done playing together, we’ll be the best running back duo to ever play together,” Montgomery said.

Gibbs is entering the third year of his rookie contract, while Montgomery is under contract through 2027. The duo will be together again next season under new offensive coordinator John Morton.

“Coach Campbell and Brad [Holmes] do a great job of putting guys around us and in our culture so that we all can benefit,” Montgomery said. “I’m excited for it.”

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The Detroit Lions came up short in what felt like a “Super Bowl or bust” 2024-25 season.

However, there are a handful of former Lions and connections to the franchise competing for a Super Bowl ring on Sunday among the Chiefs and Eagles:

Eagles: Defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson

Lions defensive back (2023)

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Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles: Defensive back Darius Slay

Lions defensive back (2013-2019)

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Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles: Defensive end Charles Harris

Lions defensive end (2021-2023)

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Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubiski (10) is brought down by Detroit Lions defensive linemen Charles Harris (53) and Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles: Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore

Lions backup quarterback (2012-2014)

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Sep 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore (17) throws the ball on the run during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Lions beat the Bills 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles: Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers coach Jeremiah Washburn

Lions Offensive line coach (2013-2015), assistant offensive line coach (2009-2012)

Eagles: Offensive Assistant Kyle Valero

Lions Offensive assistant (2010-2013)

Chiefs: Tight end Anthony Firkser

Lions tight end (2023)

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Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (left) and tight end Anthony Firkser (86) warm up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs: Defensive Line coach Joe Cullen

Lions defensive line coach (2006-2008)

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Aidan Hutchinson still not done rehabbing his broken leg

Aidan Hutchinson, it turns out, almost certainly would not have been able to play in the Super Bowl if the Detroit Lions made it to the NFL championship game. The Lions star EDGE revealed during a Super Bowl week appearance with the Pat McAfee Show that he’s still not done rehabbing his broken leg.

“I feel good. I’ll be wrapping up rehab pretty soon,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson broke his leg in a friendly-fire incident while completing a sack against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7. There was considerable speculation that Hutchinson could return during a deep Lions playoff run, but neither materialized. Thanks in part to the rampant injuries on defense, the Lions came up short in their playoff opener against the Washington Commanders.

Hutchinson feels the pain and heartbreak, no doubt about it. But No. 97 is ready to attack the coming season.

“It hurt,” Hutchinson told McAfee. “Despite the pain, being ripped out of that season and knowing what I could’ve done, and what could’ve been, that’s what I had the hardest time with. But then again, I’m going into year four next year. I’m young and I’ve got a lot of good football left.”

Related​

Projecting what an Aidan Hutchinson contract extension might look like for the Lions​
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025...ns-injury-update-super-bowl-broken-leg-rehab/
 
Jets hire former Lions CB coach Dre Bly

Former Detroit Lions cornerbacks coach Dre Bly is set to join the coaching staff for the New York Jets, according to a post on his Instagram shared on Saturday.

Bly joins former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, now Jets head coach, as part of the revamped staff in New York. He coached with Glenn for the Lions in 2023, handling CB coach duties that season.

Bly played 11 years in the NFL, including four seasons with the Lions, two of which he earned trips to the Pro Bowl. The Lions traded him to the Broncos in 2007 only for him to be released two years later.

Though Bly didn’t coach for the Lions in 2024, he’s part of a handful of former coaches reuniting under Detroit’s former coordinators in Glenn and Ben Johnson, who is the new head coach of the Chicago Bears.

The Jets are likely facing a total rebuild situation after Sunday’s report that quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not be returning to the team in 2025. However, the Jets are holding onto a defense with some young talent, including Sauce Gardner, who will work directly with Bly to have a bounceback season following Gardner’s disappointing second NFL season.
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/10/jets-hire-former-lions-cb-coach-dre-bly/
 
Report: Lions hiring Iowa State assistant head coach to the offensive staff

It’s not an official move yet, but the Detroit Lions have reportedly found a new offensive assistant coach from the college ranks. CBS Sports reports that the Lions are hiring Tyler Roehl from Iowa State onto Dan Campbell’s staff.

Roehl has been the assistant head coach and RBs coach for the Cyclones. The 39-year-old briefly played running back for the Seattle Seahawks before embarking on a coaching career beginning in 2010. He spent most of that time with his alma mater, North Dakota State, working across several different offensive coaching positions.

The Lions still have yet to replace some departed offensive assistants, notably TE coach Steve Heiden. Roehl does have experience working with tight ends.
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/11/lions-assistant-coach-staff-hire-tyler-roehl-iowa-state/
 
Lions still among top teams in final power rankings from The Athletic

The Super Bowl is in the books which means another NFL season is officially behind us. It’s officially the offseason for all 32 teams. But not before one final set of power rankings from The Athletic for the season and to start the 2025 campaign.

The Lions still checked in quite high, despite a disappointing exit and not winning a single postseason game after earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Detroit lands at No. 4 for The Athletic entering the offseason.

“Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn are gone, to the Bears and the Jets, respectively,” wrote Josh Kendall of The Athletic. “In their place, Dan Campbell has hired John Morton to run the offense and promoted Kelvin Sheppard to run the defense. Detroit has won 27 games in the last two regular seasons combined, but this transition will be one of the toughest tests of Campbell’s tenure, which enters Year 5 next season.”

The Lions are the second-highest NFC in these rankings. In front of them, obviously, are the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, who took the top spot after a dominant performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, who came in at No. 2, to end their hopes at a three-peat.

The Buffalo Bills, this year’s AFC runners-up, were No. 3 and rounding out the top five, the Baltimore Ravens.

Detroit will have most of their core back next season as well as plenty of players coming back from injury. How the new coordinators adjust will be key but the Lions will undoubtedly be in the mix to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 60 in San Francisco.
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/11/detroit-lions-final-power-rankings-fthe-athletic/
 
Ohio State is hiring former Lions coach Matt Patricia as its new defensive coordinator

The Ohio State football program has found its new defensive coordinator in an unusual place. According to multiple reports out of Columbus, the Buckeyes are bringing in former Lions head coach Matt Patricia to run their defense.

Yes, really…

Patricia spent the 2024 season outside of any team. He was the Lions’ head coach from 2017 to 2020, when he was summarily fired midyear following several disappointing seasons, an inability to connect with players and a largely inflexible system. Patricia spent time thereafter with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. He hasn’t coached at the collegiate level since being an offensive assistant at Syracuse in 2003.

Ohio State’s coordinator for the last two seasons, including their national championship run last fall, was Jim Knowles. He left to take the same job at Penn State.

Related​

Bob Quinn's 10 worst decisions as the Lions GM​
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025...ns-coach-matt-patricia-defensive-coordinator/
 
Detroit Lions Podcast | Bish & Brown Dump on QB Rumors and Talk Draft

Russell Brown and Scott Bischoff are back after taking a few weeks off to digest the NFL season coming to a close. Additionally, the guys have started their 2025 NFL Draft work so they spent some time watching film. On this episode, the guys discuss the following:

  • Let’s stop with the trading of Hendon Hooker non-sense
  • It’s a bad QB class for the 2025 NFL Draft
  • Could the Lions really pull off a trade for Myles Garrett?
  • Comparing and contrasting the difference between the Lions roster to the Eagles roster and why we need to have patience
  • The guys discuss some names at the top of the DL rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft
  • All that and more!

Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the Detroit Lions Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your favorite shows! You can also follow Scott and Russ on Twitter/X: @RussNFLDraft and @Bischoff_Scott
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025...st-bish-brown-hendon-hooker-rumors-nfl-draft/
 
Scottie Montgomery's past work with WRs could mean great things for the Lions

Detroit Lions fans know Scottie Montgomery as the running backs coach and assistant head coach, the positions he’s held in Detroit for the last two seasons. Montgomery replaced Duce Staley in those roles after the 2022 season and has done a very strong job molding the talents of Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds into a deep, multifaceted running back room.

But Montgomery is known in other places for his work with wide receivers. In Pittsburgh, Montgomery coached up one of the best wideout corps in Steelers history.

From 2010 through the 2012 season, Montgomery was the WR coach under head coach Mike Tomlin. During those years, Montgomery got to work with some notable wideouts in Bruce Arians’ aggressive downfield aerial attack. Among the players Montgomery coached:

Hines Ward
Antonio Brown
Mike Wallace
Emmanuel Sanders
Plaxico Burress
And Antwaan Randle El, his immediate predecessor as the wideout coach in Detroit.

It’s his work with a young Brown that is most relevant for Montgomery’s new role as the Lions wide receivers coach. Brown was something of an enigmatic talent when he arrived in Pittsburgh. It didn’t happen overnight, but under Montgomery’s tutelage and encouragement, Brown emerged as one of the NFL’s biggest weapons for a handful of years.

That’s the Detroit hope for Jameson Williams, now entering the fourth season of a promising but occasionally frustrating career with the Lions. Montgomery takes over that mentorship from Randle El, now the assistant head coach in Chicago and someone with more of an intense personality. Montgomery brings the passion for sure, but he’s less fiery and more of a supportively nurturing nature. That could be the key to coaxing more consistency and diverse usage from Williams, coming off his first 1,000-yard season.

It’s a move that makes sense for Detroit. Bringing in Tashard Choice as the new RBs coach is a strong move, given his collegiate coaching work with Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs (at Georgia Tech) and recent stints with Bijan Robinson, Jaydon Blue and Jonathan Brooks at Texas.
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025...ence-steelers-antonio-brown-jameson-williams/
 
Lions prospect profile: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

The Detroit Lions recently added coach Tyler Roehl from Iowa State to be the tight ends coach. One of his top players from the Cyclones is a prospect of some intrigue for the Lions and their need for a wide receiver with size and physicality in Jayden Higgins.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State​

  • Bigger receiver at over 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds (Senior Bowl)
  • Long wingspan of almost 80 inches and big hands at over 9.5 inches
  • 87 catches for 1,183 yards and 9 TDs as a senior
  • Spent 2 seasons at Eastern Kentucky before 2 years at Iowa State
  • 2-time academic honoree in the Big 12
  • Age unknown, but was high school class of 2020

Games watched: Utah, Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa, Texas Tech, Senior Bowl week (in person)

Positives​

  • Great size and length on the outside or in the slot
  • Effective short-area quickness and an ability to shorten his stride to create space
  • Very good with the ball in the air with his length and toughness; good at contested catches and designed jump balls
  • Just 3 drops in over 200 targets in two years at Iowa State
  • Can reliably catch the ball away from his frame
  • Experienced as a heavy slot
  • Effective and willing blocker with solid technique, though he will hold at times

Negatives​

  • Lacks long speed; top speed at Senior Bowl practices was 19.8 but Higgins doesn’t consistently play with that speed
  • Struggles to get off jams and doesn’t protect his chest well on his release at the line
  • Big target to tackle and not very elusive after the catch
  • Higgins isn’t stiff, but he’s not going to impress with flexibility or wiggle in his routes
  • Needs to work on consistency of timing on his routes

Overall​


Higgins offers a lot of potential as a big wideout with very sure hands. His ability to catch balls away from his frame and present himself as a target on comebacks and quick-hit plays is a dimension the Lions can use, particularly with oft-injured Tim Patrick an unrestricted free agent.

The Cyclone connection with new Lions assistant coach Tyler Roehl adds intrigue, though Higgins was already firmly on the radar after a strong Senior Bowl week. His lack of suddenness and struggles against press coverage are legitimate detractions that should have him still available when the Lions pick at No. 60 overall in the second round, and perhaps a round later (Scouting Combine testing/interviews will matter here). If the Lions are looking for that bigger type of receiver who can work outside or in the slot, Higgins can be a very appealing option on Day 2.
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/14/lions-prospect-profile-jayden-higgins-scouting-report/
 
A look at what happened with some Lions recent free agent losses

After a handful of successful seasons, the Lions unfortunately have had to figure out which players would stay and which players would be sent to free agency. Overall, 10 of those free agents made their way to other teams for the 2024 season and it deserves a deeper look into what they have done since they wore the Honolulu Blue and Silver.

DeShon Elliott

Elliott made his way to the Lions in 2022 on a one year contract after spending a handful of seasons with the Ravens. He was named the starting free safety for Detroit and finished the season with 96 total tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble. After leaving the Lions at the end of the season, Elliott signed a one year contract with the Miami Dolphins and then later signed a two year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he remains currently. With Pittsburgh, he is putting up career numbers with 108 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and one interception to finish the 2024 NFL season.

Jamaal Williams

The former 4th round pick left the Green Bay Packers in 2021 to join Detroit and had a career season in 2022. It was in that season where he broke the Lion’s running back touchdown record set by Barry Sanders in 1991 with 17 TDs. The next year, he signed a three year contract with the New Orleans Saints where he has struggled with injuries and has not been able to recreate his breakout season, scoring only two touchdowns in two years.

Evan Brown

Brown, a career journeyman, was elevated from the Lions practice squad in 2020 and was named the backup center for Detroit in the 2021 season. After a season ending injury to starter Frank Ragnow, Brown got the opportunity to start 12 games, and due to his success, was re-signed in 2022 where he also started due to injuries. In 2023, he left the Lions to play in Seattle where he won the starting job and eventually went to the Arizona Cardinals where he remains currently.

Chris Board

Board, a former undrafted linebacker, came to Detroit in his fifth year. He tallied 21 total tackles and one forced fumble in his sole year with the Lions. The next season, he left for the Patriots and then eventually found his way back to where he started in Baltimore.

Austin Bryant

The former two-time College Football Playoff National Champion out of Clemson was drafted in the fourth round by Detroit. Bryant was full of potential but had four relatively disappointing seasons with the Lions. He then left for the San Francisco 49ers where he only played in two games and has not been on an official roster since.

Mike Hughes

Drafted in the first round of the 2018 draft, Hughes landed in Detroit in 2022 after his breakout season in Kansas City. In his lone season with the Lions, Hughes recorded 51 total tackles. He then went on to sign with the Atlanta Falcons where he won the starting cornerback job in 2024.

Amani Oruwariye

Ourwariye was drafted by Detroit in 2019 as a cornerback and stayed with the Lions until the 2023 season. His most successful year was in 2021 where he recorded 57 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and 6 interceptions. He remained on practice squads until the 2024 season, when he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

Josh Woods

As a linebacker, Woods went undrafted but was eventually picked up by the Chicago Bears for two seasons before he found a home with Detroit in 2021. His two seasons with the Lions were mostly unmemorable, and he departed in 2022. He then left for the Arizona Cardinals in the 2023 season, where he had his best career year with 61 total tackles and one forced fumble. He is currently with the Atlanta Falcons.

DJ Chark

Chark was drafted in the second round of the 2018 draft to the Jaguars where he made the Pro Bowl in 2019. The wide receiver then signed a one year contract with Detroit in 2022 where he tallied 502 yards and three touchdowns on the season. He has since played for the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Chargers most recently.

CJ Garner-Johnson

Perhaps the most polarizing free agent that the Lions have lost recently is C.J. Garner-Johnson. The safety spent his lone season with Detroit in 2023 after being the interception co-leader with the Philadelphia Eagles the year before. That being said, the 2023 season was disappointing for Garner-Johnson and the Lions as he only ended up playing in three games with Detroit after injury. That being said, after Garner-Johnson left the Lions, he found his way back to his old stomping grounds in Philadelphia and had another fantastic year, tallying 59 total tackles, one forced fumble, six interceptions, and a Super Bowl ring.
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/15/detroit-lions-free-agent-losses-player-outcomes-new-teams/
 
Some ESPN experts favor Lions to make next Super Bowl, others predicting regression

ESPN released early predictions for the 2025-26 NFL season on Friday, some liking the Detroit Lions to make it further while others don’t have such high hopes.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen predicted the Lions would not only make it to the Super Bowl but also win it over the Baltimore Ravens. Eric Moody, Aaron Schatz, and Mike Tannenbaum all predicted the Lions would reach the big game but lose to either the Bills or Ravens.

Tannenbaum also threw into his prediction that Lions edge superstar Aidan Hutchinson would win Defensive Player of the Year.

DraftKings Sportsbook had the Lions +900 to win the Super Bowl next year as of Saturday.

ESPN analysts also made predictions for MVP, offseason wishes, breakout candidates, and regression candidates. No Lions garnered any MVP buzz, but Tannenbaum’s offseason wishlist pushed for the Browns to trade edge rusher Myles Garrett to Detroit.

Despite those high hopes, multiple analysts predicted the Lions to have a season of regression. Pamela Maldonado, Lindsey Thiry, and Field Yates all predicted the Lions wouldn’t have as much success next season.

Maldonado and Thiry both cited the team’s mass coaching shakeup as a primary concern for seeing the same successes. Yates acknowledged the Lions will still be very good, but perhaps not 15-2 good.
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025...season-predictions-potential-super-bowl-team/
 
Lions announce schedule for kids summer camps across Michigan

Got kids who want to do something fun this summer and get some more Detroit Lions in their lives? The team has something for you.

The Lions announced the schedule for their 2025 summer camps across Michigan. It’s the 20th season for the camps, which are run by Lions staffers and are suitable for all ages. There are even some camp options where parents can participate with their kids.

The camps begin in early June in Beverly Hills and run through the first week of August in Grand Rapids. Dates in Ontario and the Upper Peninsula are on the schedule as well.

lions-camp.jpg


Registration opens o March 1st.
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Source: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025...hedule-for-kids-summer-camps-across-michigan/
 
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