RSS Lions Team Notes

[Detroit Lions]

Lions News: Roger Goodell discusses possibility of NFL adding international team

Oct 12, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; The British, NFL shield logo and United States flags during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

When the Detroit Lions announced they’ll be playing in Germany this season, there were plenty of fans excited, but others not so much.

Here are some word-for-word responses to a Facebook post I made about the announcement:

“Play in the USA.”

“It’s called the National football league. Not worldwide. More money grabbing for the no fun league.

“Season ticket holders get jacked. Same price – less games. Not to mention all the lost revenue for Detroit. This only benefits the franchise owners.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell understands these complaints, but said since they began hosting international games, sentiments have changed quite a bit.

“Initial reaction when we started this series was the fans looked at this as — you’re taking a game away from our fans here … I think it’s changed a lot. I think there’s a pride factor that you’re playing on the international stage, that you’re representing your community,” he said on the St. Brown Podcast this week.

Goodell said there’s also another factor at play — international relations.

“It actually is a diplomatic tool in some ways because it gives people a chance to understand about one another’s culture … and how we can work together in a positive way,” he said.

The NFL commissioner said the league is playing nine international games this season, but he hopes to get to 16. He also said there’s a possibility of one day having an NFL team or two outside U.S.

“I say that because of the fans’ reactions and the partners’ reactions, but there’s still a lot to determine in that case,” he said, especially when it comes to scheduling.

While fanbases are large in international cities close to the U.S., like Mexico City and Toronto, and that may be an easier option at first, Goodell said England and Germany could be options, especially as they evaluate stadium sizes.

“Could you put two teams in each of those markets? I think you probably could. So you could have a four-team division, but there may be other markets you want to go to. So I think we just have a lot to learn and to build on, but I do think that day will come,” he said.

You can watch the full interview below.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• Aidan Hutchinson joined NFL analyst Kevin Clark to discuss what it’s like to line up across from Penei Sewell:

Penei Sewell told me his practice reps against Aidan Hutchinson in practice are the stuff of legend. I asked Aidan about it.

Two things stand out to him: how much they've helped develop each other that they've never fought even a little bit. Who would win if they did? I asked. pic.twitter.com/sbQffnsw6I

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) February 25, 2026

• We’ve heard from Amon-Ra St. Brown on the Lions playing in Germany, but the Lions also posted reactions from Jared Goff and Aidan Hutchinson.

Can’t wait to get to Germany pic.twitter.com/ywEbGTQDX0

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) February 25, 2026

• After you’re done consuming our fabulous combine coverage, here’s a bit more from Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman:

.@ttwentyman shares his observations from Day 1 of prospect availability at the 2026 NFL Combine.

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) February 26, 2026

• “(Drew) Petzing talks fast. It’s one of the first things you notice. Appropriately, less than a minute into the opening remarks he used the word ‘excited’ seven times.” Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers offers his perspective and first impressions from the new offensive coordinator’s inaugural media session.

• Happy Pokémon day for all who observe. I myself am just past Cinnabar Island on Fire Red trying to use Pokémon I never normally pick: Clefable, Nidoking, etc.

Know some lit Leos that have been rockin' with @Pokemon since Day 1. Cheers to 30 years! pic.twitter.com/ll6udGj7vI

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) February 27, 2026

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...-possibility-of-nfl-adding-international-team

 

[Detroit Lions]

2026 NFL Combine results: 5 winners from the wide receivers group

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Tech wideout Eric Rivers (WO32) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions don’t have a pressing need to add wide receivers through the 2026 NFL Draft, but when a deep class presents itself, there’s an opportunity to find value late in the draft. With a plethora of talent working through on-field drills at the Combine, it can be challenging to quickly and accurately sort through all the information.

With this in mind, in our wide receiver Combine preview, we focused on potential replacements for the Lions’ WR4 role, with Kalif Raymond being an unrestricted free agent. Even if the Lions re-sign Raymond, he will turn 32 this season, and the Lions would do well to keep an eye out for potential replacements.

There were a handful of incredible speedsters running at the Combine on Saturday, including Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State, 5-foot-9, 164 pounds, 4.26-second 40-yard dash), Deion Burks (Oklahoma, 5-foot-10, 180, 4.30), Jeff Caldwell (Cincinnati, 6-foot-5, 216, 4.31), and Kendrick Law (Kentucky, 5-foot-11, 203, 4.46), but none did on-field drills, so we pivoted to the best five receivers we saw in measured testing and on-field performance.

Kevin Coleman, Missouri (5-foot-10, 179)​

Coleman made it onto our Combine preview list, illustrating his fit with the Lions, and then put together a nice performance. He ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, jumped 38.5 inches in the vertical, and 10-foot6 in the broad jump. On the field, he exploded off the line, ran clean routes, throttled down efficiently in his cuts, then showed controlled feet and an explosive burst out of the shifts. Coleman attacked the peak of his routes, was at his best in the strike-and-whip route, but didn’t press the issue as much as I would have preferred in the gauntlet. He tracked the ball downfield nicely, showed solid hands, adjusted to poorly thrown passes, and advanced body control.

Kaden Wetjen, Iowa (5-foot-9, 193)​

Wetjen will be drafted due to his elite returner skills and 4.48 40-yard-dash, but he showed that he can perform on offense as well. A common theme with Wetjen was that when asked to break down and make sharp cuts, he could not maintain any speed, and NFL defensive backs won’t have any issue defending these routes. However, when allowed to roll his transitions on intermediate and deeper routes, he maintained his speed and did a really nice job tracking the ball, even snagging inaccurate throws. He has terrific body control and showed more than once that he can elevate for a ball, secure the catch, and land with both feet in bounds. Bottom line: Wetjen is an elite returner with a path to the field, but he will be limited in his routes.

Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech (5-foot-10, 196)​

Rivers was one of my final cuts in my preview watchlist, but his performance at the Combine made me second-guess my exclusion. With an impressive 4.36 40-yard-dash, a 37-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-7 broad jump, he showed good measurables, but on-field he was better. Rivers was very quick off the line and showed tremendous explosion in his cuts. His routes were crisp, and he was able to maintain his speed regardless of where the route took him. His gauntlet was one of the best on the day. He got through his longer breaks well, showed great tracking skills, understood where he was on the field at all times, kept his feet in bounds on tough catches, and had very strong and reliable hands.

Zavion Thomas, LSU (5-foot-10 1/2, 190)​

A part-time starter and gadget weapon at LSU, Thomas showed off his speed at the Combine, running a 4.28 40-yard-dash. While not a traditionally explosive player, Thomas overwhelms with speed. A consistent theme with his routes at the Combine was that Thomas maintained or increased his speed throughout every drill, and was quick in his cuts and smooth coming out of them. To keep that speed, Thomas often rounded his routes, rather than cutting them sharply, but when you run that fast, teams will live with it. He tracked the ball well in drills, showed strong hands, easy adjustments, and made the catches he should have.

Barion Brown, LSU (5-foot-11, 177)​

Brown, another LSU weapon, ran a solid 4.40 40-yard-dash and translates that speed into his routes. In the gauntlet, he increased his acceleration between catches and was clean down the line. He showed the ability to quickly settle his feet on cutting routes and exploded out of his breaks, often selling the route in one direction, only to come back downhill with speed. Brown demonstrated good balance and body control, and by count, had to adjust to more poorly thrown passes than any other receiver on Saturday. While he didn’t get to all his passes, he was able to snag more than I expected him to, while also showing good tracking skills on balls with more air under them. His ability to return punts will also work in his favor on draft day.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...sults-5-winners-from-the-wide-receivers-group

 

[Detroit Lions]

NFL Combine: 7 high-character offensive linemen for Detroit Lions

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida offensive lineman Jake Slaughter (OL47) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions are almost certainly going to be in the market for an offensive lineman this offseason, probably several. Whether it’s a future Taylor Decker replacement at tackle, a Frank Ragnow replacement at center, or just some competition at guard, the Lions could use all the help they can get.

Luckily, this year’s NFL Draft class is full of high-character offensive linemen that could help.

In my final installment of our Combine media session recaps, here are seven offensive linemen who will meet Detroit’s high bar for football character.

Previously:

• Tight ends
• Defensive linemen
• Linebackers
• Defensive backs

Penn State G Vega Ioane​

Size: 6-foot-4, 320 pounds
Quick bio: A three-year starter almost exclusively at left guard (but has taken snaps at all five positions), Ioane may not make to the Lions at 17 overall. He’s a mauler in the run game, but not the most athletic of the class. That said, he dropped 20 pounds in his final year as a Nittany Lion to prove he can move better and retain his strength at a lighter weight.
Current draft projection: Round 1
Combine vibes:

Ioane’s presser didn’t blow me away, but his tape is very solid. When asked about his game, he offered a lot of the platitudes you’d expect from an offensive lineman.

“You’re going to get a competitive player. When I go out there on the field, I’m an entirely different person,” Ioane said. “Gonna get a competitive player out of me, an aggressive player, and, like I said, the mentality of being the most physical guy out there.”

It was interesting to hear him say that dropping the 20 pounds in his final college year was completely his idea to see if he could maintain his strength and effectiveness while improving his movement—which he did.

Florida C Jake Slaughter​

Size: 6-foot-5, 303 pounds
Quick bio: Slaughter is in the discussion for best center in this draft after posting the fifth-best PFF grade in the country among centers in 2025. He’s a smidge undersized for the position, but Slaughter makes up for it with strong technique and smarts. He was also a two-time captain for the Gators.
Current draft projection: Round 1-2
Combine vibes:

Someone must have tipped Slaughter off that there were a bunch of Lions reporters in the audience, because he played all the hits. Not only did he say he met with the Lions, but he talked about personally meeting Penei Sewell last summer.

“I’ve never seen anybody move the way he does, special movement skills,” Slaughter said.

Then, when asked about who he models his game after, he said former Lions center Frank Ragnow.

Slaughter’s intelligence was easy to detect during his press conference. What jumped out to me was the way he professed his love for falling in love with the preparation process, much like Ragnow did.

“(It’s) one of my favorite parts of (playing center),” Slaughter said. “When you sit down on a Wednesday—for us it was Wednesdays—and you start breaking down the third-down (plays), exotics—‘How are we going to communicate this? How are we going to get on the same page as the quarterback?’ So it was a lot of fun.”

Oklahoma G/C Febechi Nwaiwu​

Size: 6-foot-4, 319 pounds
Quick bio: A walk-on in North Texas, Nwaiwu worked his way up to captain before transferring to Oklahoma for his last two season. Nwaiwu mostly played right guard in college, but also logged starts at right tackle and left guard. Last in his last season, he filled in at center due to injury and he exclusively repped at center in the East/West Shrine Bowl.
Current draft projection: Day 3
Combine vibes:

One of my favorite answers of the week came from Nwaiwu when asked about his leadership style. Though he was pretty soft spoken with the media, I thought his answer about being direct without being disrespectful was very intuitive.

“I’m not a person that’s quiet. I’m not a person that’s gonna allow the standard to be dropped,” Nwaiwu said. “I’m going to say something. I’m not going to be disrespectful, but I’m going to let you know, ‘Hey, you’re not living up to your potential.’”

As for his recent work at center, Like Slaughter, Nwaiwu talked about the satisfaction of a week of preparation paying off during the game.

“It’s super exciting, because I know what you’re going to do before you do it,” Nwaiwu said. “Sometimes I’ll get out there and I’ll put my hand down and give a little smirk to myself. Like, ‘Okay, he’s about to move inside.’”

Kansas State C Sam Hecht​

Size: 6-foot-4, 303 pounds
Quick bio: Hecht, too, is a bit undersized at center, but counters with excellent athleticism and movement skills. He stayed loyal to Kansas State, working his way up from walk on to two-year starter at center, where he was named All-Big 12 in both seasons.
Current draft projection: Round 3-4
Combine vibes:

I asked Hecht about what the walked-on mentality means to him, and he said the magic word.

“You’ve got to have some grit if you’re a walk-on,” Hecht said. “One of the adversitites that I had I was kinda lighter in high school, gained a lot of weight my first year (in college). That summer in my freshman year, I got bad shin splints. I didn’t want to tell anyone, I didn’t want to get help from the trainers, because I was fighting for my scholarship. So, as a walk-on, I just fought through it.”

Georgia OT Monroe Freeling​

Size: 6-foot-7, 315 pounds
Quick bio: Freeling will likely shine during the on-field drills due to his size, length, and athleticism. In his 16 career starts, he split between right tackle and left tackle, and really broke out in 2025 with an 85.6 PFF pass blocking grade—seventh among all offensive tackles.
Current draft projection: Round 1-2
Combine vibes:

Freeling shared a great story about how he overcame a high ankle sprain to play the very next week—and play well. Freeling was in a boot all the way through Friday of a game week, but he still begged his coaching staff to let him travel with the team, if for no other reason than to help out the backup tackles prepare. They agreed, and even made him the emergency tackle. Lo and behold, he had to step in and play 65 snaps in the game

“Game day came and (OL) coach (Stacy) Searels came up to me, and was like, ‘Hey, if you’re the emergency tackle, can you go?’ I was like, ‘Yes coach, please. Please let me go if I can,’” Freeling said. “I wasn’t really anticipating to play, but when my name was called and they needed me to go in, I was so happy to be out there.”

Clemson OT Blake Miller​

Size: 6-foot-7, 315 pounds
Quick bio: The first thing anyone talks about with Miller is his incredible experience (54 starts) and ability to navigate through injuries (more on that in a second). A four-year starter at Clemson, Miller has only allowed eight sacks over those 54 starts (about one every seven games).
Current draft projection: Round 1
Combine vibes:

Like Freeling, Miller has a great overcoming injury story. I asked Miller to talk about the time he broke his wrist in spring practice. Here’s him retelling the story:

Here’s Clemson OT Blake Miller talking about playing through a wrist injury — suffered during spring ball, mind you — because he wanted to be available for his teammates.

Only missed one day…for surgery.

Miller: “I had to miss a practice for that, which kinda sucked.” pic.twitter.com/VoAFDLI2Zh

— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) February 28, 2026

Sounds pretty gritty to me.

Like pretty much every offensive tackle draft prospect at the Combine this year, Miller pointed to Penei Sewell as one of the people he studies.

“His physicality, finish blocks, his nastiness is awesome,” Miller said.

Notre Dame OT Aamil Wagner​

Size: 6-foot-6, 306 pounds
Quick bio: Wagner is probably more known for his high character than his game, but as a two-year starting right tackle at Notre Dame, Wagner provided solid play. In 2025, he was named a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year (courage, integrity, sportsmanship) and a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy (best community service/leadership off the field).
Current draft projection: Day 3/UDFA
Combine vibes:

Wagner was one of the most impressive men I talked to down at the NFL Combine. He comes from a family who gives back to the community, and I asked him why it was so important to him.

“My parents gave me a challenge when I was young to be humanitarian, to help other people,” Wagner said. “We’re not on this earth to be selfish and be by ourselves. We’re on this Earth to give back to others. Every since I was a kid, my dad worked in a homeless shelter, my mom worked at a senior center, so giving back to our community and giving back to others is extremely important.”

That servitude to his community also translates to his leadership on the field.

“My leadership style is […] like a servant leader, willing to do anything for the guys around you, no matter what it is,” Wagner said. “I think being a servant leader translates, whether it’s a vocal leader, leader by example. In the NFL, it really translates to I’m willing to do whatever for a team. It doesn’t matter what my role is, whether it’s tackle, guard, center, jumbo tight end. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help my team out.”

And as a quirky fact, Wagner lives in Yellow Spring, a small community in Ohio that is most known for being the home of comedian Dave Chappelle. And, yes, Wagner says he runs into the comedian all the time and even grew up with his kids.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...character-offensive-linemen-for-detroit-lions

 

[Detroit Lions]

2026 NFL Combine results: 12 winners from the offensive tackle/guard group

Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (OL24) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The offensive linemen wrapped up the on-field drills at the 2026 NFL Combine and produced a plethora of impressive performances. With Al Karsten focusing on evaluating the Top 5 winners from the center prospects, this article will close up our Combine coverage by taking a closer look at the offensive tackles and guards who impressed in Indianapolis.

Offensive tackles​

Spencer Fano, RT, Utah (6-foot-5 1/2, 311)​

With Miami’s Francis Mauigoa not participating at the Combine, Fano was presented with the opportunity to steal the show, and he didn’t disappoint. With an all-important 1.72 10-yard-split and overall RAS score of 9.76, Fano checked a lot of boxes that should make him one of the top picks in this year’s draft.

Fano simply glided through on-field drills, making everything look easy. He’s a natural kick slider (from both sides), staying low, balanced, and under firm control. His quick feet and easy movement allow him to glide through change-of-direction drills, smoothly covering ground with elite lateral quickness. Pulling was clean, showing a one-step-and-gone impact; his switch-dip-and-pull arcs were efficient, and he was able to string techniques together effortlessly. Oh, and he also worked out at center after his workout.

Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia (6-foot-7 1/2, 315)​

Freeling was one of the biggest risers in the draft process entering the Combine, and he was able to keep that momentum moving in a positive direction with his elite measurables and terrific on-field performances. His 1.71 10-yard split was the best among the tackles, and second for all offensive linemen (Alabama center Parker Brailsford ran a 1.7 split), and at the end of the day, Freeling earned a 9.99 RAS score.

In on-field drills, Freeling showed good overall technique and natural athleticism. He consistently bends at the knees to control his movement, keeps his chest out, his weight low in his hips, allowing him to anchor at will, and throws strikes with power. When on the move, Freeling had a good shuffle, was speedy in the open field, and showcased his natural skills on pulls. His base did get too wide in some drills, leading to him slipping, but that could be attributed to youth at the position and wanting to prove his range.

Feeeling is firmly in contention with the next prospect on this list to be the third tackle selected in the first round, and the Lions could end up with their Taylor Decker replacement if he lasts until pick No. 17. As for would the Lions pull the trigger, Lions coach Dan Campbell made it clear at the Combine that they are in the market for a longterm replacement who may be abel to spot start this season:

“I love Deck, he’s got some things that are going to need some management, and that’s kind of where we’re at. So, one way or another, we’re going to need somebody who can play over there (left tackle). If we need them in a crunch, or if we need them as a starter.”

Kayden Proctor, LT, Alabama (6-foot-5 1/2, 352)​

A mountain of a prospect, Proctor arrived at Alabama weighing over 400 pounds and listened to the NFL when they told him that he’d need to lose weight to start at the next level. Now at 352 pounds, Proctor is a scary athlete for his size, running a 1.84 10-yard-split and earning a 9.28 RAS.

Proctor explodes with his first step, displaying light feet and lateral agility. He was great in pass protection drills, mirroring with a solid gate, wasting little movement, and not relinquishing any ground. His pass pro slide was average in speed, but when he anchored and engaged the bag, he hit it with so much power that it knocked the coach back, and his hat flew off his head. When moving laterally, there was more hopping (both feet off the ground) than I would prefer, but he showed strong pulls when allowed a smooth corner, and ran into more difficulty when asked to plant and change direction. His dip-and-pull was on equal level with any guard, and proved more efficient when allowed to let his momentum roll.

As for fit with the Lions, the NFL broadcast brought it up multiple times, comparing his size and athleticism to that of Penei Sewell (though they were quick to remind that this comparison was to size/weight/speed), and analyst Charles Davis even went as far as to say, “he just looks like a Lion”, at least twice.

Caleb Lomu, LT, Utah (6-foot-6, 315)​

Lomu’s quick feet consistently showed up in on-field and measured drills, running a 1.74 10-yard-split and earning a 9.88 RAS. He presented a big, controlled kick slide—shining more on the left side—and lateral footwork to quickly gain a lot of space. Lomu’s biggest weakness is his core power, which was evident in his strikes and in the mirror drill. While smoothly and efficiently shadowing the coach’s direction, Lomu slowly drifted backwards, likely an unconscious habit from bracing for impact. Still, his movement skills were those of an NFL left tackle, showing the athleticism to succeed in multiple pull drills.

Blake Miller, RT, Clemson (6-foot-7, 317)​

Miller showcased a very balanced day, performing well in almost every aspect. His 1.75 10-yard-split is great, but his 9.94 RAS certainly exceeded expectations. The veteran tackle got in and out of his pass protection slide in the blink of an eye, showing positive and controlled skills in the mirror and slide drills. Miller displayed natural pulling skills, an impressive dip-and-pull, and fluidity when on the move. The most surprising skill Miller showed off was the timing and power in his strikes, flashing the elite impact that comes from 54 career starts.

Max Iheanachor, RT, Arizona State (6-foot-6, 321)​

Iheanachor is still very raw for the position (he didn’t start playing football until Junior college), but he’s such a natural athlete with unlimited upside that he’s positioned himself as a potential top 50 pick. His 1.73 10-yard split is wonderful for his size, and his 9.91 RAS was very impressive. Iheanachor presented a consistent knee bend, a square and upright form, proved to have a natural kick-slide from both sides, and displayed smooth and powerful lateral movement. His lower body moves quickly, and while he can be a bit labored at the snaps (especially on pulls), once he gets going, he’s a load to slow down. The natural pop in his hands is one of his best tools in a developing skill set.

Caleb Tiernan, LT, Northwestern (6-foot-8, 323)​

While Tiernan did not participate in measured activities, his on-field performance showed potential. He’s a smooth lateral slider with a very clean and controlled slide-and-strike pass protection move. While Tiernan was most recently a left tackle for Northwestern, he has right tackle experience and looked more natural on that side in drills. His height was an issue during pulling drills, but he did showcase some athletic movement in open space. I’m not sure he’s a top 50 player, but there are intriguing traits to develop.

Guards​

Vega Ioane, LG, Penn State (6-foot-4 1/4, 320)​

The “best offensive lineman in the draft,” according to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Ioane did not run or jump in at the Combine, but his on-field drills checked the boxes. Consistently under control with his movements, Ioane is a power strider, with a quick get off. He drops weight on the edge and explodes out of his breaks. He displays quick, clean feet and an easy mirror match, stays square at all times, and has a ton of pop in his punch. If he’s there at pick No. 17, and the Lions decide to move Tate Ratledge to center, Ioane would solve a lot of problems in the Lions’ interior offensive line.

Chase Bisontis, LG, Texas A&M (6-foot-5, 315)​

After Ioane, Bisontis is likely the OG2 on the Lions board due to his ability to excel in zone blocking schemes. His 1.76 10-yard-split is solid, but his 9.85 RAS was on display in pon-field drills. Bisontis showed off nice lateral quickness, above-average reaction skills, and a fast pull technique paired with a controlled turn and run. He is explosive at the snap, has quick feet and an easy slide, allowing him to cover a lot of ground and hit his marks accurately, whether laterally or upfield.

Emmanuel Pregnon, LG, Oregon (6-foot-4, 314)​

Pregnon is the top challenger with Bisontis for an OG2 spot, and while he excels in more of a GAP-oriented blocking scheme, that wouldn’t be an issue with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s experience in this area. With a 1.82 10-yard-split and a 9.42 RAS, Pregnon displays power in everything he does. He presents a strong base, with a big, powerful first step, both when moving laterally or pulling. He aggressively attacks his edges, showing smooth dip-and-pull movement and a controlled angle slide. He’s a bit of a short strider, but that aids him in his punch, as he consistently delivers knock-back strikes.

At this time, I don’t know if I’ll value another guard inside the top 50 beyond Ioane, Bisontis, and Pregnon, but there were two guards that stood out as challengers to that thought process.

Kaylan Rutledge, RG, Georgia Tech (6-foot-4, 315)​

Rutledge ran a 1.81 10-yard split and earned a 9.52 RAS, but he was most impressive in his on-field performance on Sunday. Known for being a tough, “dirtbag” blocker, Rutledge impressed with an attacking downhill approach. He displays a good base and is very fluid when pulling, but the overriding presence of power in his movement would be very appealing in the Lions’ scheme. In fact, Rutledge was naturally efficient in every aspect of the pulling drills at the Combine, which I would argue made him the clear best pulling lineman of both groups. His pass protection slide was also very controlled, as was his mirror (which was also very fast), and his dip-back strike was impactful. I walked away highly impressed.

Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa (6-foot-5, 319)​

Dunker was Iowa’s right tackle, but he’ll need to shift inside at the next level and could thrive in doing so. Simply put, despite an 8.6 RAS score, Dunker was too slow in tackle drills, requiring an extra step in his kick slide and choppy lateral movement (his knee movement slows him down), though he certainly put in a ton of effort to overcome his natural hitches. While he doesn’t move naturally enough to live on an island in the NFL, he does move like a guard, displaying powerful strides and easy pulling traits. He attacks the edge on his pulls, has a ton of pop in his hands, and lands his strikes with knock-back power. A move inside will accentuate his strengths and personality.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...winners-from-the-offensive-tackle-guard-group

 

[Detroit Lions]

David Montgomery trade: Grading the Detroit Lions’ move

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery arrives at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, November 9, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A year ago, it would’ve been unfathomable for the Detroit Lions to trade away David Montgomery. The 1B to Jahmyr Gibbs’ 1A, Montgomery was in the renaissance of his career. In 2023-24, Montgomery tallied 1,790 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per carry, and 25 rushing touchdowns. Montgomery and Gibbs seemed like the ideal running back duo that everyone was trying to recreate.

But after a 2025 season that went awry, the Lions heavily suggested that Montgomery wanted out from a situation that wasn’t utilizing him to his liking.

“We would love to have him. Kind of want to put last year in the rearview and just move forward,” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said last week. “But a player has to want to be at a certain place as well, so those conversations are still fluid and we’re just kind of seeing how it goes.”

Let’s break down the trade and hand out a grade for the Lions.

Value grade: A​

Back in January, I explored what the Lions may be able to get for a David Montgomery trade based on some recent running back trades across the league. The likes of Tank Bigsby, Jordan Mason, Cam Akers, and Joe Mixon all netted no more than a fifth + sixth-round pick. I concluded, therefore:

“So, at best, the Lions would get a fifth-round pick. More likely, they’re getting a sixth-round pick or a swap of late Day 3 picks.”

Instead, the Lions got:

• A 2026 fourth-round pick
• A 2027 seventh-round pick
• G/C Juice Scruggs

That’s an absolute haul for a 29-year-old running back who has fairly pricey salaries over the next two years ($5.49M and $7.49M). Don’t get me wrong, Montgomery is still playing at a high level, but to get two picks and an offensive lineman who could challenge for a starting job is a fantastic return.

Roster impact grade: C-​

The Lions’ roster is now worse than it was before the Montgomery trade. A team that already had several holes going into the offseason (center, defensive end, linebackers, and maybe cornerback) now has another significant role to fill.

And while I like the addition of Scruggs, I am not banking on him being a starter after flaming out in just a couple of years in Houston. Depth is important and needed on the offensive line, so the addition certainly has value.

But can the Lions find a running back replacement with the additional value of the trade? Could they find an RB2 with a fourth-round pick? It’s certainly possible. Last year, the likes of Cam Skattebo, Woody Marks, and Kyle Monangai—all fourth-round picks or later—had a fair amount of success in their rookie seasons.

I don’t suspect anyone on the current roster—Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors, Kye Robichaux, or Jabari Small—will compete for that role, so the Lions will have to spend offseason resources to fill Montgomery’s spot.

Overall grade: B+​

While I hate moving on from Montgomery—a good player and a good person—this is life for the Detroit Lions now. The downside of paying your young superstars is that you can’t afford to have aging players on big deals, as well.

I think this trade signifies that Holmes likely made a mistake giving Montgomery a two-year extension in the middle of the 2024 season, but I think this trade mitigates some of that mistake.

In short, the Lions probably got the maximum value they could out of a Montgomery trade; they did right by a player that presumably wanted out, they have a chance to get younger and cheaper at a position that doesn’t age well, and they improved their offensive line depth in the process, as well.

I don’t like losing Montgomery just like I didn’t like losing Jamaal Williams three years ago. But that situation is a great reminder that sometimes teams are actually better off following a tough move like that.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...ntgomery-trade-grading-the-detroit-lions-move

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions release Graham Glasgow in cap-saving move

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 04: Graham Glasgow #60 of the Detroit Lions runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on December 4, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In a roster move that will create over $5.5 million in cap space, the Detroit Lions announced on Monday that they have released offensive lineman Graham Glasgow.

Glasgow was originally drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. After starting at center, he moved to the guard position, and left after the 2019 season following a frustrating guard rotation under Matt Patricia. After three seasons with the Denver Broncos, Glasgow returned to Detroit in 2023 on a one-year deal. With a strong return season in Detroit, Glasgow earned a three-year, $20 million extension in 2024. However, Glasgow was then forced to play left guard in 2024, then center in 2025 after Frank Ragnow’s sudden retirement—despite right guard being his most natural spot.

After struggles in the past two seasons, the Lions have opted to release Glasgow before the final year of his deal. Glasgow was set to make a $6.5 million salary in 2026.

The Lions are believed to see some serious overhaul on their offensive line this season after the entire unit took a step back in 2025. While Taylor Decker is expected to return for 2026, the Lions will now be on the search for a starting center. Tate Ratledge, the team’s 2025 second-round pick, remains an option there. So is Juice Scruggs, the former Texans offensive lineman acquired in the David Montgomery trade. However, expect Detroit to add more competition in the interior offensive line as free agency kicks off next week.

At this point, it’s unclear if Glasgow, 33 years old, will play another season or call it a career after 10 years in the NFL.

UPDATE: Glasgow offered this message on Twitter:

“I’m grateful for the 7 years I’ve spent as a Detroit Lion. I’m thankful for the great teammates, coaches, and friends I had along the way. I love this city and the fans that have supported me for the better part of a decade. There truly was no place I would have rather been.

Whether the times were good or bad, I’m proud of the time that I was able to spend here. Detroit and being a Lion has had a huge impact on making me into the man that I am today, and because of that, it will always hold a special place in my heart.

I wish the Lions, especially my former teammates, nothing but the best. I will always be a fan of the guys who I took the field with, and I’ll always be a fan of the team that changed my life. Thank you!”

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...ons-release-graham-glasgow-in-cap-saving-move

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions free agency preview: Top backup QBs available, best fits

Nov 30, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

NFL free agency is less than a week away, so it’s time to take one last look at the Detroit Lions roster and the external players who may gain their attention.

This is the beginning of a series of articles that will explore the Lions’ free agent options by position. I won’t preview every position—namely wide receiver and defensive tackle will be skipped due to lack of general need—but we’ll get a comprehensive look at options for Detroit when free agency opens on March 11.

Let’s start at backup quarterback.

Under contract:

• QB Jared Goff

Lions free agents:

• QB Kyle Allen
• QB C.J. Beathard

Obviously, the Lions aren’t in the market for a starting quarterback, but they could be looking to upgrade the backup position. They’ve been pretty lucky in the Jared Goff era, as the veteran quarterback hasn’t missed a game in his last four seasons.

Allen turns 30 later this month, but handily won the backup competition last year after a strong preseason. He could very well return to provide some veteran eyes in the quarterback room. Allen’s winning of the backup job meant the end of Hendon Hooker’s time, leaving Detroit with a developmental quarterback vacancy, should they want one.

Top free agent backup QBs available:

Note: Estimated contract numbers are via PFF.

• QB Marcus Mariota (estimated deal: 1 year, $15M)
• QB Russell Wilson (1 year, $6.5M)
• QB Jimmy Garoppolo (1 year, $3M)
• QB Kenny Pickett (1 year, $2.25M
• QB Tyrod Taylor (1 year, $2.75M)

Given their cap situation, I don’t think the Lions are likely to spend anything north of $4 million on a backup quarterback. Last year, Allen made $1.27 million as the primary backup.

Russell Wilson does have a connection to the Lions with Mike Kafka now on Detroit’s coaching staff, but they’d have to be crazy to make him the backup after a disastrous year in New York.

However, Tyrod Taylor shares that same connection with Kafka and could come at a much cheaper price. Taylor wasn’t great last year in four starts for the Jets (59.7 completion %, 5 TDs, 5 INTs, 72.9 passer rating), but problems ran deep with that offense.

Best fits:

• QB Kyle Allen
• QB Tyrod Taylor
• QB Teddy Bridgewater
• QB Case Keenum
• QB Jeff Driskel

It probably makes most sense to just run it back with Allen, but with the change in offensive coordinator, it’s certainly possible Drew Petzing takes the backup job in a new direction. I like that Taylor would bring something different to the position while also providing the same veteran knowledge that Allen boasts, but I do wonder if the Lions are really willing to spend more on the position, even if it is just $1-2 million more.

A reunion with Teddy Bridgewater is certainly on the table, provided that he still wants to play in the NFL. Dan Campbell raved about his value in the locker room, and he even got a little playing time with the Buccaneers last year. Like Allen, he would only cost somewhere near the veteran minimum.

Keenum and Driskel were added because of their ties to Petzing. While never directly coaching his room, Petzing was on the Browns’ and Vikings’ coaching staffs when Keenum was there in 2020-21 and 2017, respectively. Driskel, who was with the Lions in 2019, was with the Cardinals under Petzing in 2023 and briefly in 2025. Neither player has thrown a regular season pass since 2023, though.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...cy-preview-top-backup-qbs-available-best-fits

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions free agency rumors: Reports conflict on potential splash move

Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum (64) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

With the NFL Combine in the rear view mirror, it’s officially rumor season. NFL free agency is next week, and reporters across the league are sharing their tidbits they learned from talking to agents, coaches, and front office members.

When it comes to the Detroit Lions, we’re already getting conflicting information on what may be ahead for general manager Brad Holmes and company.

Let’s start with national reporter Albert Breer. He expects the Lions to address their offensive line—a fairly easy conclusion to come to. However, the bigger news is Breer believes the Lions could be in play for arguably the biggest free agent out there this offseason: Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.

“I’d expect the acquisition of (Juice) Scruggs to be the first one in a little bit of an offensive line reworking,” Breer wrote. “Detroit’s identity was built through that position group through Dan Campbell’s first four years, and fell off a bit last year. To get it back to where it was, I wouldn’t rule out a big swing by Detroit, maybe on someone such as Ravens free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum.”

Last week, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said the team would like to retain Linderbaum and even said they’ve already offered him a deal that would make him the highest-paid center.

“Tyler’s a guy I have tremendous respect for. Obviously, he’s proven to be, in my opinion, the best center in the league,” DeCosta said. “We’ve been having conversations, we’ve had conversations since the end of the season, and at this point in time, we’ve made him a market-setting deal proposal offer, and hopefully we can get something done with him between now and the start of the new league year.”

The Lions are certainly in the market for a center after releasing Graham Glasgow this week. It’s possible Juice Scruggs, whom the Lions acquired via the David Montgomery trade, could contend for that spot. Another possibility is the Lions move second-year offensive lineman Tate Ratledge to center.

Which brings us to a rumor conflicting Breer’s reporting.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press talked to several agents at the NFL Combine, and he got the sense that Detroit could be pretty inactive in free agency, noting the Lions may just go with Ratledge at the pivot.

“Multiple agents who met with the Lions at the NFL combine do not expect the team to be major players in free agency, and one who spoke with the team believes they will move Tate Ratledge to center and open competition at the guard spots,“ Birkett wrote on Tuesday.

So there you have it. Either the Lions will be super aggressive in free agency and possibly land the best center in football, or they’ll be very modest in free agency and move their guard with limited center experience into the starting center role.

For what it’s worth, Lions general manager Brad Holmes certainly seemed a bit more open to the idea of spending in free agency when talking about it at the NFL Combine.

“We’ll have flexibility to do some things,” Holmes said. “I don’t think every single year is the same. It’s not just last year we had this approach but it could be entirely different this year.”

The “legal tampering” period opens on Monday, March 9 at 12 p.m. ET.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...ency-rumors-reports-conflict-tyler-linderbaum