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[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions Day 3 OTA observations: Position-by-position breakdown

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Observations from the Detroit Lions’ OTA practice on Friday—Day 3.

On Friday, the Detroit Lions welcomed media to Organized Team Activities (OTAs) for the first time this offseason. It was the team’s third practice in a row and last of the week. Practice was split between walkthroughs, positional drills, 11-on-11s, a brief special teams drill, and finished with some 7-on-7 work.

Here are my observations on each position:

Quarterback ​

Not much to say about Jared Goff’s day. He was without his safety blanket in Amon-Ra St. Brown, so a lot of his targets went to Sam LaPorta.

It wasn’t a particularly great day for the backups. Hendon Hooker was QB2 for the day and missed several deep shots. During individual drills, he overshot Tim Patrick. Then during 11-on-11s, he overthrew running back Kye Robichaux, and wide receiver Jackson Meeks. Kyle Allen tested the defense deep twice, and he, too, misfired both times—once to Kalif Raymond, the other to nobody in particular.

Running backs ​

With no David Montgomery, we saw a lot of Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds with the ones. Without getting into specifics, it certainly seems like the Lions are playing around different ways they can use Gibbs. Robichaux got a significant amount of use, given the Lions’ reserves were thin without Sione Vaki. He flashed some explosiveness, but it’s hard to gauge running back play without anyone tackling.

Tight ends​

As mentioned earlier, the Goff-to-LaPorta connection was alive and well. Shane Zylstra also flashed a couple times in the receiving game, including a sliding catch on a pass from a scrambling Allen.

Wide receiver​

It was a relatively quiet day for Jameson Williams, but he was noticeably a bit bigger out there—although he said he’s only put on five pounds of strength.

Dominic Lovett and Tom Kennedy were probably the most frequent targets out there, and it’s easy to see how the rookie thrives right now in 7-on-7s and minimal contact. He’s shifty and fast. The challenge will be when the pads come on.

I thought the best receiver out there was Tim Patrick, sporting the brand-new #12. He was strong over the middle, finding soft spots in zones and flexing his good hands.

Offensive line ​

Here’s what the starting OL looked like from left to right with no Frank Ragnow:

• LT: Taylor Decker
• LG: Christian Mahogany
• C: Tate Ratledge
• RG: Graham Glasgow
• RT: Penei Sewell

I did not see Ratledge take a single snap at anything other than center during practice, so it’s clear Detroit is serious about cross-training him.

There was a lot of mixing and matching with the second and third strings, but Giovanni Manu (left) and Dan Skipper (right) were predominantly the backup tackles. If I had to label who were the second string guards, Netane Muti (left) and Kayode Awosika (right) got the most time there.

Perhaps the most shocking development was one series in which Colby Sorsdal was in at center. It didn’t last long, and there was a low snap in there, but it’s certainly notable that they’re trying to find a place for the third-year lineman. Kingley Eguakun and Michael Niese took over after that short experiment.

Defensive line ​

If Aidan Hutchinson was limited in this practice, it wasn’t by much. He got plenty of playing time, and, quite honestly, he looked just as explosive as ever.

Marcus Davenport also stood out... literally. It was a good reminder of just how big he is (6-foot-6, 285) compared to every other edge defender out there. He was able to knock down a pass with Penei Sewell opposite him, but he also later jumped offsides during a fourth-and-15 situational drill—handing the win to the offense.

Elsewhere, there was a neat moment on the final 11-on-11 of the day from rookie Ahmed Hassanein. He pulled off a nifty move inside on the right tackle, got to the quarterback, and hit the brakes before hitting him. He immediately turned and pointed to where the rest of the defensive linemen and DL coach Kacy Rodgers were and let out several roars.

Pat O’Connor may have had the best rep of any defensive lineman. During 11-on-11s, he got a great jump on the snap, slipped by the interior lineman, and got to the quarterback in about two seconds.

Chris Smith and Roy Lopez got first-team work with now DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo, and Alim McNeill practicing. One thing to keep in mind here is that Jack Campbell was asked which player on either side of the ball has stuck out to him so far. His answer: Chris Smith.

Linebackers​

With no Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, and Alex Anzalone, it was an opportunity for Detroit’s depth to get early reps. Newcomer Zach Cunningham, Trevor Nowaske, and Grant Stuard all had time with the first team.

During walkthroughs, Stuard got his helmet knocked off and nearly started a scrum—which is probably the best display of Stuard’s intensity.

Cornerbacks ​

Again, injuries forced some interesting names into the lineup here. D.J. Reed played sparingly, leaving Ennis Rakestraw and Rock Ya-Sin to spend a lot of time working with the starters on the outside. Rakestraw had a very up-and-down day. He nearly picked off Goff during seven-on-sevens but struggled in other opportunities.

Safeties ​

Avonte Maddox filled in for Brian Branch at safety alongside Kerby Joseph. Joseph had an active day, with the highlight being a diving pass breakup intended for Kalif Raymond.

Special teams ​

The Lions ran some punt drills on Friday. Of note, Loren Strickland and Grant Stuard served as personal protectors, while Ya-Sin and Rakestraw served as the first gunners up. Other players serving as gunner during drills: Lovett, Patrick, Jakobie Keeney-James, and Ronnie Bell. Keeney-James actually rotated between gunner and punt returner, perhaps expanding his value on teams.

Miscellaneous ​

• This may have been the loudest OTAs I’ve ever witnessed. Lions coaches were barking at each other at levels that challenged the good old Duce Staley vs. Aaron Glenn days.
• A funny/briefly scary moment during individual drills: LaPorta was running a route over the middle when he accidentally collided with offensive coordinator John Morton, who was not looking in his direction. LaPorta went tumbling to the ground while Morton was unscathed. The Lions’ tight end immediately got up and threw his towel in the air, pretending to call a penalty on Morton. Thankfully, no one was injured.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...a-observations-position-by-position-breakdown

 

[Detroit Lions]

VIDEO: Breaking down Lions rookie DB Dan Jackson’s tape

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Meko and Morgan are back on the Pride of Detroit YouTube channel breaking down Lions’ draft pick Dan Jackson’s film from his final season at the University of Georgia.

Meko and I (Morgan) are back over on the Pride of Detroit YouTube Channel breaking down more tape from the Detroit Lions’ 2025 draft class. Next up, we are breaking down the tape of Lions’ seventh-round draft pick out of the University of Georgia, safety Dan Jackson.

Originally a walk-on, Jackson earned a starting job at safety in 2024 on what was once again a top-tier unit for the Bulldogs. For this study, we watched two games of Jackson’s final season in Athens—against the University of Texas and University of Alabama.

In both games, Jackson showed why he has the potential to be an impact performer on special teams. He is quick to diagnose plays in front of him, and is not shy about getting downhill and making a play on a ball carrier in the alley. And while the Lions are set with the league’s best safety tandem in All-Pro Kerby Joseph and Pro Bowler Brian Branch, Jackson has a chance to carve out a roster spot if he can impress Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp.

If you are looking for other episodes from our prior film studies of the Lions’ 2025 draft class, you can check them out here:

• DT Tyleik Williams
• OL Tate Ratledge
• WR Isaac TeSlaa
• OL Miles Frazier
• DL Ahmed Hassanein.

And as always, please be sure to like and subscribe to the Pride of Detroit YouTube Channel. It helps us a ton and we sincerely appreciate all of the support.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...e-film-breakdown-all-22-defense-special-teams

 

[Detroit Lions]

It’s time to embrace, not fret, Jameson Williams’ future with Lions

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

After a breakout 2024 season, Lions fans should be celebrating the rise and redemption arc of Jameson Williams, not debating his long-term fit.

Hey, here’s an idea: how about we let Jameson Williams play this upcoming season before we start making plans for his future, yeah?

I know. I get it. You’re still not over how he missed the majority of his rookie season with an ACL injury he suffered in the National Championship game that same year. You might still be stuck on how a 23-year-old could make some questionable decisions, like lighting off fireworks or getting suspended for gambling while on the job site. And he still didn’t learn from those mistakes. After all, he was suspended again for “PEDs” last year, and that incident with a gun, surely all that would prevent him from reaching his potential, right?

Wait, he finished 2024 as one of the most dynamic big-play threats in the NFL? Of the 94 wide receivers with at least 45 targets, Williams finished fourth in yards per reception (17.3) and third in yards after catch per reception (8.4). But what about his hands? I remember how his hands were a huge problem at training camp, and he was catching the ball with his body too much… He posted the 18th-best drop rate (3.3%, two drops) and finished ahead of similarly targeted receivers like DeVonta Smith and Nico Collins (both at 5.6% and four drops a piece) and Jaylen Waddle (9.4%, six drops).

Alright, so he had one good season; that doesn’t mean you empty out your wallet for the guy. The Detroit Lions are stock-full of skill position players, some that may need extensions after this season, like Sam LaPorta. Even Brad Holmes admitted that wide receivers are expensive, “very expensive,” in fact. But what seems to get glossed over from Holmes’ media availability at the owners meetings was what he had to say earlier about Jamo.

“Look, he was a tremendous player for us last year,” Holmes said. “He’s still scratching the surface. I do think he’s got more in him as well. So I just think it just makes sense for us to do what we can to keep him around.”

Sounds like a player that the general manager thinks pretty highly of, but I wonder what the coaches think of him…

“Unbelievable. Just unbelievable,” new offensive coordinator John Morton had to say about his first impression of Williams. “When I first got here, he came in to see me, we had a chat, and I’m painting the picture, ‘This is what you need to do, this is how I see it,’ and he has been unbelievable. Unbelievable in the meetings, the attention to detail; I mean, I’m so excited to see him this year.”

Even the guy heading up this whole operation, Dan Campbell, is excited for what’s to come for Williams, even looking to him as one of the focal points for the offense moving forward.

“The sky’s the limit for him,” Campbell said ahead of Friday’s session of OTAs. “He’s exactly where we want him to be right now at this point. He’s been here, he’s grinding, he’s getting better. Scottie [Montgomery] is freakin’ grinding him. It’s awesome. But we expect him to have a huge season. We really do, man. He’s going to be one of these guys that we’re going to lean on this year and is really going to be big for us. All he’s got to do is just keep working like he’s working, and we’ll be good.”

And the chemistry between Williams and quarterback Jared Goff, the trust and communication between the two, it continues to develop. Goff recognized how far Jamo has come in those respects and marveled at the growth he’s seen in Williams consistency and leadership.

“He’s already made it, man. It’s been awesome to see. He’s done a hell of a job,” Goff said last week. “Just continue to do what he’s done, and just get more consistent—and he’s done that. He really has. He’s working hard, he’s being a leader now, which is fun to see him grow into that and show guys how he wants to do things. He’s talking to me a ton. It’s fun, man.”

Here’s the bottom line: Williams is a vital piece of the Lions’ offensive success—and that was already true in 2024. It wasn’t just the emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs last season, Williams played a key role in taking Detroit’s offense to another level. The coaches are gushing about him and predicting a “breakout” season for a player who already had that type of season a year ago—the general manager echoed that with his “still scratching the surface” comment, too.

So, instead of spending the offseason drumming up potential exit strategies for Detroit’s 24-year-old receiver still realizing his potential, how about we embrace the integral role he’ll play for the Lions? After all, tough times don’t last, but tough people do, and that feels especially true for the redemption of Jameson Williams.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...e-not-fret-jameson-williams-future-with-lions

 

[Detroit Lions]

Discussion: What is the best Detroit Lions game in the Dan Campbell era?

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Of all 72 Detroit Lions games coached by Dan Campbell, what has been the best one?

It’s still weird to think that we’re living in a golden age of Detroit Lions fandom. Honestly, maybe the true golden age is ahead of us. But for most of us who have spent decades lamenting one of the worst franchises in football, we’re still a little in disbelief about how lucky we are to be witnessing a Detroit Lions era in which records are being broken on a near-weekly basis.

The duo of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes has proved to be a fruitful one. Campbell has led the charge as one of the best leaders of men in the business and an underappreciated football mind, while Holmes may have the best resume of any general manager ever based solely on his first three draft classes.

As a result, we’ve experienced some pretty amazing Sundays, Mondays, and occasional Thursdays along the way. So today’s Question of the Day is:

What is the best Lions game of the Campbell/Holmes era? ​

My answer: If we’re going off of just vibes, it’s hard to top the Lions’ Wild Card victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Not only was it the ending of one of the longest playoff victory droughts in professional sports, but it was one hell of a game. The Lions ultimately secured the defensive stop they needed late, then Jared Goff put away his former team with a game-clinching conversion to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Adding even more to the drama was the Goff/Matthew Stafford facing their former teams storyline. Without a doubt, that will be a game that most fans will remember forever.

But there was also one very memorable game the year before that.

January 8, 2023, will go down as one of the most up-and-down days in Detroit Lions history. The Lions we’re riding an incredible streak—winning seven of their previous nine games. Somehow, after starting the season 1-6, they were in the playoff hunt, and it appeared Campbell had finally rallied the troops enough to lift the burden of this Lions franchise out from the slums. With a little help from the late afternoon games, Detroit’s regular-season finale—Sunday night against the Packers—would be a win-and-you’re-in situation for both teams. A poetic finish to bury a division rival while entering the postseason as one of the hottest teams in football.

Unfortunately, that early help never came. Baker Mayfield—then the Los Angeles Rams quarterback—threw a critical interception in overtime that led to a Seahawks win, mathematically ending Detroit’s bid for a playoff spot.

In years past, that would be the end of the Lions’ story. Close but no cigar, and they’d probably fall back to reality in 2023. The Packers had everything to play for; the Lions had nothing to play for. Time to start talking draft.

But as long as there’s football to be played, Dan Campbell will have them ready. And what followed was a gritty, message-sending upset of the Packers that sent Aaron Rodgers into oblivion and Green Bay fans home early. You could call that win meaningless for the Lions, but it was clearly a sign to the rest of the division that they’re coming.

The rest is history. Two straight NFC North titles, a couple of playoff wins, and a historic 15-2 season. It all started that night in Lambeau.

What has been your favorite game of the Campbell/Holmes era? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/6/1/24440755/best-detroit-lions-game-dan-campbell-era-discussion

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions swap out CBs ahead of second week of 2025 OTAs

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The Lions are shuffling around some secondary depth as they ready themselves for another round of OTAs

The Detroit Lions are set to begin their second week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Tuesday and have made a roster transaction ahead of the next wave of practices. On Monday, the Lions announced that they had signed cornerback Divaad Wilson and released UDFA rookie Gavin Holmes.

Wilson began his college career at the University of Georgia, transferred to the University of Central Florida, and entered the NFL in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. His professional career started in Jacksonville, but he was released during cutdowns and joined Arizona’s practice squad. Over the next season and a half, Wilson would bounce back and forth between the Cardinals’ active roster and practice squad, playing in seven games and starting one. Mid-season in 2024, the Giants signed Wilson off the Cardinals’ practice squad and played in three games down the stretch in New York.

In Detroit, Wilson figures to step into the Lions’ outside corner and special teams depth competition, but he’ll have a tough road ahead of him with a strong roster already in place. The Lions return starters, Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson, spent big on D.J. Reed in free agency and are developing last year’s second-round pick, Ennis Rakestraw. They also return Khalil Dorsey and Stantley Thomas-Oliver, while also adding Rock Ya-Sin in free agency for depth competition.

Holmes was targeted by the Lions post-2025 NFL Draft and received $85,000 in guarantees to sign in Detroit. He participated in rookie minicamp but was not participating in last week’s OTAs (that the media was able to observe), and that lack of playing time surely limited his ability to make a positive impression.

Update: per the NFL transaction wire, Holmes was released with an injury waiver with no recall, meaning he will not default back to the Lions if he clears waivers.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/6/2/24441865/lions-swap-out-cb-ahead-of-second-week-of-2025-otas

 

[Detroit Lions]

Report: Detroit Lions sign veteran OL during Week 2 of OTAs

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The Lions are signing veteran OL Trystan Colon for depth and competition along the offensive line.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Detroit Lions have signed veteran offensive lineman Trystan Colon in the wake of Frank Ragnow’s retirement. The team has yet to officially announce either move, but with the Lions currently in their second week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), it’s possible we could see both on Wednesday’s transaction report.

Colon went undrafted out of Missouri in 2020 and joined the Ravens. Over his first three seasons in the NFL, he played in 20 games for Baltimore, starting three games at center and one at right guard. In 2023, Colon joined the New York Jets but was released at cutdowns and was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals. Over the past two seasons in the desert, Colon played in 31 games, starting four games at left guard and another seven at right guard. In 2024, Colon played 386 snaps for the Cardinals, allowing 12 pressures but no sacks.

While Colon has experience playing all five offensive line spots, the Lions will likely allow him to compete along the interior, where he has the majority of his experience, and they have some need for depth.

At center, the Lions are projected to have a starting competition between Graham Glasgow and rookie Tate Ratledge. However, Colon will likely be in competition for depth with returning backup center Michael Niese and second-year UDFA Kingsley Eguakun.

At guard, a combination of Glasgow, Ratledge, and Christian Mahogany are the early front runners for starting roles, but they’ll face competition in camp. In addition to Colon, the Lions also roster rookie Miles Frazier, returning veterans Kayode Awosika and Neatne Muti, along with UDFA rookie Mason Miller.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...t-lions-sign-trystan-colon-during-week-2-otas

 

[Detroit Lions]

Open Thread: How many interceptions will Kerby Joseph have in Week 16?

Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

How many picks will Kerby Joseph get when Aaron Rodgers comes back to town?

On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers officially signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year contract. They, like the Jets before them, are hoping the former league MVP will help give them the final push they need in order to become a Super Bowl contender.

[Editor’s note: The Steelers’ front office working through their logic on signing Aaron Rodgers.]

The Steelers have a difficult path to the postseason this year. Not only are they in a very competitive AFC North, but their division also has to face off against the NFC North in 2025, including making a late-December trip to Ford Field to take on the Detroit Lions in their final home game of the 2025 regular season.

Rodgers will be 42 years old when he squares off with the Lions in Week 16, and he’s coming off two of the worst statistical seasons of his career.

Just how bad were they?

As Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis pointed out on social media, Rodgers had a lower EPA, YPA, and accuracy in 2024 than Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, and Mason Rudolph—the trio of quarterbacks the Steelers elected to move on from this offseason in favor of landing Rodgers. Let’s also not forget that the Jets are taking a $49 million cap penalty to not have Rodgers on their roster. That’s pretty telling.

But hey, maybe a change of scenery will help?

Sure, maybe. But Rodgers hasn’t led a team to a winning record (above .500) in three seasons, going back to his final season with the Packers in 2022. Of course, the Packers went 8-9 that season after losing both games to the Lions, mainly thanks to Kerby Joseph, who intercepted Rodgers three times during his rookie season.

And that leads us to our question of the day:

How many interceptions will Kerby Joseph have in Week 16?​

My answer: If I’m being conservative, I’d probably say one... but I’ll go with my gut and say two.

Joseph has only improved since his rookie season, and the statistics support this. As a rookie, three of Joseph’s four interceptions came off Rodgers, but in the two seasons since, Joseph secured another 13 interceptions, led the NFL interceptions last season, and was named an All-Pro in 2024, despite not having Rodgers on the schedule.

I’m expecting the Steelers to struggle to stay above .500—something Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has accomplished every season in the NFL—and in a game where Pittsburgh will need to win, I can envision Rodgers pushing the envelope and taking extra chances (like he did in the Packers final game of the 2022 season), and those are the moments in which Joseph makes teams pay the price.

So what do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...terceptions-will-kerby-joseph-have-in-week-16

 

[Detroit Lions]

Can you guess this Lions cornerback in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Lions player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Pride of Detroit in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Thursday, June 5, 2025
Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

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Pride of Detroit in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Lions player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/6/6/24444213/sb-nation-lions-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Detroit Lions]

Center of Attention: Frank Ragnow’s Case for the Pride of the Lions

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Making the case for Frank Ragnow’s enshrinement into the Lions Hall of Fame

Frank Ragnow’s unexpected retirement sent a wave of emotion through the Detroit Lions fanbase. He was still playing at an elite level—dominating the trenches, anchoring the offensive line, and embodying the team’s gritty identity with remarkable durability. After years of doing the dirty work, Ragnow has stepped away—and now he deserves the spotlight. That’s why the center’s legacy should be cemented as the 22nd member of the Lions’ Hall of Fame, the Pride of the Lions.

The time is Ragnow

Frank Ragnow’s seven seasons with the Lions ran the gamut of highs and lows. A first-round pick turned four-time Pro Bowler and three-time Second-Team All-Pro, he was also part of two NFC North championship teams. He endured the defunct Matt Patricia–Bob Quinn kakistocracy, then thrived as a cornerstone leader under the Dan Campbell–Brad Holmes regime. He quite literally bridged eras—snapping first to Matthew Stafford, then to Jared Goff, two of the franchise’s most accomplished quarterbacks.

Ragnow was one of the last links to the “old guard,” and a key figure in dragging the franchise out of the depths of despair. The Lions went just 18-52-2 (.250) in the first four and a half seasons of his career—a stretch that exemplified the decades of futility that plagued the franchise. But then everything changed. Under Campbell, the team found its grit, believed in itself, and turned the corner—posting a 35-9 (.795) record over the last two and a half seasons. It’s one of the most remarkable franchise turnarounds in modern sports history, and Ragnow was instrumental in laying that foundation.

The Lions have already honored most of the obvious Pride of the Lions candidates from the pre-Super Bowl era. In the decades since, Ragnow’s 100 career starts (including playoffs) tie for 29th in team history. While that’s well short of Dominic Raiola’s franchise record of 205, Ragnow’s four Pro Bowl selections are tied for the sixth most by a Lion in the Super Bowl era.

Counting stats struggle to quantify Ragniow’s impact. He helped power one of the most successful three-year offensive runs in team history, anchored what was arguably the best offensive line in football, and helped establish the culture and camaraderie that now define the franchise. As a three-time captain, Ragnow was the tone-setting identity of Detroit’s trenches and a player beloved by teammates, coaches, and fans. He’s arguably one of the three best Lions offensive linemen of the Super Bowl era. Honoring him in the Pride of the Lions now—while his contributions remain fresh and widely appreciated—would be a fitting tribute to one of the best to ever wear the uniform and one of the premiere centers of his generation, during a season in which the team mounts yet another climb in its quest for the Lombardi Trophy.

A jam-packed Pride

The Pride of the Lions, established in 2009, is considered the organization’s highest individual honor. The inaugural class featured 12 inductees—each already enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Since then, the remaining four Hall of Famers who spent a significant portion of their careers in Detroit have also been inducted, along with five other standout players who don’t have busts in Canton.

The Lions currently have no obvious Hall of Fame candidates on the immediate horizon; their next most likely enshrinees are still on the roster and years from eligibility. But a Hall of Fame nod isn’t a requirement for the Pride. Ragnow’s early retirement—after seven stellar seasons and no First-Team All-Pro selections—may fall short of the Hall’s thresholds, but his impact in Detroit more than warrants a permanent place on the walls of Ford Field alongside the franchise’s greats.

Evolving the Pride

The current composition of the Pride of the Lions reflects the franchise’s decades of struggle. Of the 21 members, only six played for the team after 1977. A refresh—highlighting more recent pillars—would be a welcome and timely evolution.

Unlike other teams and their respective Hall of Fames, the Lions have not disclosed any induction criteria, decision-makers involved, or cadence for enshrinement. Several teams induct one or two members annually as part of a formalized process. Adopting a more consistent approach—such as honoring one player per year—wouldn’t dilute the distinction. If anything, it would reflect the team’s transformation. Detroit is no longer a perennial struggler but a sustained contender, and its Hall of Fame should reflect that shift. Ragnow, a foundational piece of this turnaround, is a perfect figure to help usher in the next chapter.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...frank-ragnows-case-for-the-pride-of-the-lions

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions fans raise money for Rags Remembered Foundation

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lions fans have raised over $11,000 for Frank Ragnow’s charity, Rags Remembered Foundation.

Following Detroit Lions Frank Ragnow’s retirement earlier this week, fans wanted to show their appreciation for what he meant to them and the city. Some posted messages to him on social media, while others wrote appreciation articles about him. However, another group of individuals donated to Ragnow’s charity, the “Rags Remembered Foundation.”

Suggested initially on social media, fans have been making individual donations of $77 or $7.70 to Ragnow’s Foundation—Ragnow wore No. 77 during his seven seasons in Detroit—which focuses on supporting grieving Detroit families through outdoor activities, counseling, and socialization.

According to social media posts from the Rags Remembered Foundation, Lions fans raised nearly $10,000 in the first 24 hours of donations.

After Frank announced his official retirement from the NFL, fans have been donating $77 and $7.70 to the Rags Remembered Foundation to thank him for his impact on the Detroit Lions and his support for grieving families in Detroit.

Thank you, Lions fans! #77for77

Donate at ragsrememberedfoundation.org

View this post on Instagram​

A post shared by Rags Remembered Foundation (@ragsremembered)​

By Friday, Katie Kozak of the Rags Remembered Foundation told Dave Birkett of the Free Press that donations continued to roll in, with individual contributions reaching $11,000 in less than two days.

On Saturday, the foundation put those funds to use and welcomed 40 children to “Camp Huddle Up,” a free event that “focuses on outdoor fun and healing through grief counseling.”

Wow. Just wow. Today, we welcomed almost 40 amazing kids to Camp Huddle Up for a day of free outdoor fun and healing through grief counseling.

AND Thanks to hundreds of generous donations—from online gifts to our Annual Skeet Shoot Showdown—we've raised over $187,000! pic.twitter.com/Een6fQ71ZG

— Rags Remembered Foundation (@RagsRemembered) June 7, 2025​

If you’d like to contribute, you can donate at ragsrememberedfoundation.org.

And now, on to the rest of this weekend’s notes.

• The Lions also paid tribute to Ragnow in a beautifully produced video highlighting his career in Detroit.

• Comedian Tom Grossi always has a fun perspective on significant NFL events, and he also weighed in on Ragnow’s retirement with a short sketch:

• Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 14, at 1 pm ET on A&E TV, as Lions legend Barry Sanders will discuss his health scare from roughly a year ago.

I am excited for the premiere and hopefully we will get a lot of people to become more familiar with their numbers...

Especially your LDL-C. Get your free test today! https://t.co/egatCoUMfJ https://t.co/bjBicDSY8Q

— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) June 5, 2025​

• Let them know, Amik.

Throw the whole list away….. we got 1A and 1B ( Branch and Kerby ) https://t.co/dp25WSrg1n

— Amik Robertson (@_YoungTruth7) June 6, 2025​

• The Lions wrapped up their spring obligations this past week and gave us a quick, behind-the-scenes look at the players Media Day:

Behind the Scenes at 2025 Media Day pic.twitter.com/oTDc7glYXi

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 6, 2025​

• A belated birthday congratulations to David Montgomery, who turned 28 years old on Saturday:

Happy birthday @MontgomerDavid! pic.twitter.com/X1UzAcJa8z

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 7, 2025​

• Jameson Williams and Terrion Arnold are teaming up with Stockx Marketplace:

View this post on Instagram​

A post shared by StockX (@stockx)​

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...nk-ragnows-charity-rags-remembered-foundation

 

[Detroit Lions]

Terrion Arnold making an impact on new Detroit Lions veterans

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

Normally it’s veterans helping young players in this league, but Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is reversing that role with two new players.

Terrion Arnold was one of the many players who we didn’t end up seeing on the field during OTAs, as the Detroit Lions were overly cautious with many players during their spring practices. However, talking to some of the players who were in attendance, it appears the second-year cornerback is still managing to make a positive impact with the team.

Normally with a young player like Arnold, they are taking in as much information as they can and being a sponge. With two new veteran additions to the secondary—cornerback D.J. Reed and defensive back Avonte Maddox—Arnold now has a couple of resources to learn from in what could be a Year 2-jump season.

However, according to both players, Arnold is giving as much as he’s getting. For Reed, Arnold—who has remained in Detroit during the offseason program—has been a great asset when it comes to learning the Lions’ defensive scheme.

“He hit me up a couple of days ago when I was practicing, and he was basically watching my film for me and telling me what I need to work on,” Reed said during OTAs. “And he was correct, too, with what he emphasized I needed to work on. So the next day, I went and worked on that.”

Yes, you read that right. A second-year cornerback is out there watching practice film of an eight-year veteran and offering sound advice. Pretty darn impressive for a 22-year-old.

His youth is also coming in handy. Avonte Maddox is also entering his eighth NFL season, and he thrives off the youthful energy that Arnold, along with Ennis Rakestraw (23 years old), Kerby Joseph (24), and Brian Branch (23), brings to the room. Here’s how he explained it to Detroit Football Network.

“(Terrion Arnold) is actually No. 1. I’m always telling him to take his medicine, calm him down a little bit,” Maddox said. “…It lifts me up. It makes me feel like I’m back to when I was their age, just cracking jokes. They’re like, what? 21? 22? I’m 29. I was jumping off the porch and walking around school when they were coming out the womb.”

Arnold is coming off the type of rookie season you’d expect from a first-round cornerback. There were flashes of really solid play mixed with a lot of learning opportunities. That experience alone should help him progress in 2025. However, defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend noted that Arnold is also going the extra mile this offseason.

“I think any expectation any time you get a chance to have as many reps as he had, it helps you,” Townsend said. “The only way you can get better is getting a chance to rep. He understands how they’re attacking him, and he found out about himself. ‘What do I do best? How can I make those strengths stronger, and my weaknesses, what do I do now, this offseason, to make them better?’ Just conversating throughout the process, before he got back.

“Then he grabbed me right now; we were in the office watching a tape just now. He is trying to be the best player he can be, and that’s what it takes. You have to work on your craft. You have to find out how you can get better in the offseason. He’s working (on) that.”

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...d-making-impact-on-new-detroit-lions-veterans

 

[Detroit Lions]

Survey: Will you be watching the Michigan Panthers in the UFL Championship?

Photo by Stew Milne/UFL/Getty Images

Our latest SB Nation Reacts survey asks fans about their interest in Michigan’s other professional football team.

Welcome to another installment in SB Nation’s Reacts survey series. This week, we are asking Detroit Lions fans one question: Will you be watching the Michigan Panthers in the UFL Championship?

You may not have noticed, but near the end of March—right in between the NFL’s free agency and draft events—the United Football League (UFL) began its 10-week 2025 regular season. At 6-4, the Panthers finished in second place behind the defending UFL Champions, The Birmingham Stallions.

With only four teams in each conference, the Panthers and Stallions faced off in their division (USFL) championships last weekend, and the Panthers came away with a resounding 44-29 victory. In the other division (XFL), the DC Defenders took down the St. Louis Battlehawks 36-18, setting up the UFL’s second league championship game—which will be played on Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

At the time of the publishing of this article, the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook are favoring Michigan and have set the betting line at Panthers -3 points.

The Panthers are early week favorites, mainly because of the performance of their quarterback, Bryce Perkins, who is the league’s offensive player of the year. It’ll be interesting to see if Perkins can parlay his performance to gain interest from the NFL, similar to how the Panthers’ kicker Jake Bates drew the NFL's eye and eventually signed a two-year contract with the Lions. Speaking of Lions connections, four players, a coach, and a general manager, all with previous ties to the Lions, will participate in this championship game.

And that brings us to this week’s question:

Will you be watching the Michigan Panthers in the UFL Championship?​

• Yes, let’s find the next Jake Bates
• No, I’m waiting for Lions training camp

Let us know if you’ll be tuning in on Saturday night by voting in the survey below, and check back in later in the week (likely Saturday) for the results.

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Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Detroit Lions fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/6/10/24446788/michigan-panthers-ufl-championship-watching-poll

 

[Detroit Lions]

How Detroit Lions offensive line may look after Frank Ragnow’s retirement

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

It’s not easy replacing an All-Pro center.

The Detroit Lions were already in the process of replacing one solid starter on the offensive line, but now they need to do it with two. After OTAs, a new picture is emerging of what the new line could look like, but there’s still a lot of concern across the land as to how this will all piece together before training camp.

On this episode of the Pride of Detroit PODcast, the whole crew is back together and we discuss how the Lions are handling the retirement of Frank Ragnow and who at OTAs is in the lead to replace his role at the starting center position. It’s not easy to replace an All-Pro center and it’s not as easy as sliding in, but the Lions have to figure this out on the fly. Plus, a new problem of depth emerges.

Plus, we dig into more stories from OTAs. We discuss the transition of Ennis Rakestraw to the outside CB position, how that impacts the CB group and others like Terrion Arnold. The defense was looking stronger than the offense in OTAs, and we wonder if that’s surprising or not. Also, is there too much hype now for Jameson Williams?

Thank you for your continued support of PODcast.

Subscribe to the PODcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Pride Of Detroit on Twitch to get notified when we record the PODcast live and chat with us. Video replays are available on Twitch and YouTube.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ive-line-picture-post-frank-ragnow-retirement

 

[Detroit Lions]

Notes: Watch Kerby Joseph crash local Detroit fire station

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Kerby Joseph’s personality shined in this video of him randomly visiting a local Detroit firefighting station.

When it comes to offseason content, some of my favorite involves getting to know Detroit Lions players on a more personal level. We were afforded that possibility this week thanks to Lions safety Kerby Joseph’s official YouTube page.

On Tuesday, Joseph posted an 18-minute video of him essentially crashing a local Detroit fire department. In the video, he just walks up to the fire department in TechTown, Detroit, (specifically Engine 17, Ladder 7, Chief 5) hoping to meet some local firefighters and check out his first ever fire department.

The staff there was obviously pretty excited to see him, and were extremely welcoming to the Lions safety. They gave him a full tour—including where the firepole used to be—offered him up a pork chop, and even played a game of cornhole with him. Eventually, the gathering was interrupted when duty called and the firefighters had to go, but it was still a pretty darn cool impromptu encounter. Plus it was a creative way for Joseph to highlight some local heroes. Check out the entire video below.

• The Lions may not open the season in primetime when they face off against the Green Bay Packers, but the entire “NFL Today” CBS crew will be on hand in Lambeau:

This season, THE NFL TODAY will hit the road on select Sundays with live, on-site shows for some of CBS Sports' most-anticipated games of the 2025 NFL slate.

The guys will kick things off in Week 1 from Lambeau Field as the Packers host the Lions on September 7. pic.twitter.com/duthGB1vvl

— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) June 11, 2025​

• As always, Justin Rogers does a really good job with this film breakdown of Lions first-round pick Tyleik Williams.

• Just an amazing Lions merchandise find from our own Morgan Cannon (who also found the video of Joseph at the firefighter station):

whenever I go to Livonia for work, I make it a point to stop in at @ProSportsZone1

best selection in town for autographed memorabilia & Starter apparel, too.

I’ll post what I bought later once she’s on the wall, but until then-enjoy this touching message from Kerby Joseph pic.twitter.com/DOsp2yHqPs

— morgan cannon (@MCannon313) June 10, 2025​

• Lions legendary offensive lineman Lomas Brown offered his thoughts on Frank Ragnow’s retirement to the Detroit Free Press.

• Speaking of Brown, the Lions are offering a unique ticket package in 2025. For away games (currently just at Chiefs, Eagles, and Commanders), you can buy an entire package that includes flights, hotel bookings, game tickets, all-inclusive tailgating, and a meet-and-greet with Lomas Brown. All information here.

• Be sure to check out the latest content over on our Pride of Detroit YouTube page, talking about the best options on the Lions offensive line. Here’s a snippet:

Dan Campbell mentioned wanting “experience” with the starting OL. Does this mean Graham is a lock to be a starter no matter what?

If so, where should the #Lions play him?

: https://t.co/2I8T4Gper9 pic.twitter.com/GF5lfQItIr

— Meko (@themekoscott) June 10, 2025​

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...video-kerby-joseph-crashes-local-fire-station

 

[Detroit Lions]

Open thread: Which upset are the Lions most likely to pull off in 2025?

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Lions enter 2025 with a slew of road games against powerhouse teams. Which is the most likely to end in a victory for Detroit?

The Detroit Lions enter 2025 staring down an absolute gauntlet of a schedule. They play in what is expected to once again be one of the league’s strongest divisions, as well as facing several of the league’s most notorious powerhouses on the road.

Of course, we can’t really ever refer to Detroit as underdogs. It’s hard to underestimate a team that was the one seed in the 2024 playoffs and inches away from the Super Bowl in 2023. However, the Lions’ 2025 schedule is a tough one, especially on the road, and the Lions have their fair share of unfavorable matchups.

Question of the day: Which upset are the Lions most likely to pull off in 2025?​

First, let’s take a look at the toughest matchups. There are five games that really jump off the schedule to me. All are road games against teams that made the playoffs in 2024:

• Week 1 @ Packers
• Week 3 @ Ravens
• Week 6 @ Chiefs
• Week 10 @ Commanders
• Week 11 @ Eagles

As far as winnable games, weeks one and ten really stand out to me here. In Week 1, the Lions may have to work out some kinks under new offensive and defensive coordinators. However, they have the upside of playing in Lambeau in what will presumably be very nice weather, and against a Packers team that doesn’t really intimidate me any more than they did in 2024. It’s still going to be a tough game, but the only true edge for the Packers in my eyes is home field advantage.

In Week 10, the Lions travel to Washington D.C. to play the Commanders in a game most will have circled in bright red on their calendars. The Lions were painfully upset by Washington in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last season. It’s hard for me to imagine players and coaches have forgotten that feeling. My expectation is that they will have their eyes fixed on revenge.

Weeks three, six, and eleven are each tough in their own respect. Each of the Ravens, Chiefs, and Eagles feel like more of contenders than the Packers and Commanders do, especially considering the last two played one another in Super Bowl 59. Add to it the fact that all three are on the road and not a single one will be an easy win. Kansas City and Philadelphia are two of the most hostile road environments in the NFL. Out of the three, I could see any of those games going the Lions’ way, but don’t really expect them to win more than one or two.

My answer: Ultimately, it’s the Commanders game that feels most likely to be a win for Detroit. The Packers may be an easier opponent in my eyes, but the feeling of the playoff loss has got to still sting and I fully expect Detroit to come out swinging.

Which upset do you think the Lions are most likely to pull off in 2025? Vote below and let us know your thoughts.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/6/12/24447208/2025-detroit-lions-schedule-biggest-chance-upset

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions Hidden Gems: 3 Secret Superstars on the 2025 roster

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

With so many changes in the offseason for the Lions, which three Secret Superstars will help to maintain Dan Campbell’s standard?

“Brain Drain.” It’s the one term that every Lions fan is already sick and tired of hearing.

Of course, when you lose two of the best coordinators in the NFL in Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to their own well-deserved head coaching jobs, that’s going to be a story. It doesn’t help that center Frank Ragnow, one of the NFL’s best, toughest, and smartest players at his position, recently decided to retire. That is a lot of IQ points walking out the door in the offseason.

So now, it’s up to new offensive coordinator John Morton and new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, along with whomsoever plays center in 2025 and beyond, to pick up the slack. One thing the Replacements will almost certainly have is a better and more fortunate injury situation, because regression to the mean should kick in, and the Lions won’t have an astonishing 24 different players on injured reserve (WOOF) as they did at various points throughout the 2024 season.

There’s still Dan Campbell. There’s still a dynamic offense, and the fact that Morton worked his way up from senior offensive assistant to passing game coordinator to his current position, which gives him an intimate knowledge of the Ben Johnson playbook, along with the opportunity to riff on it in his own ways. There’s still a defense that will benefit immeasurably from a cleaner bill of health, and the fact that Sheppard has been with the franchise since 2021 as a linebackers coach. So Glenn’s schematic and motivational tactics are not unfamiliar.

And finally, there’s a team that went 15-2 in the regular season before the injury stuff became officially ridiculous, the thing just ran out of gas, and what happened against the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round.

Brain Drain is real, but so are the Lions in spite of it. If the 2025 team is to capitalize on the Super Bowl dreams that were so present in 2024, they’ll need the entire roster to make that happen. In the continuation of our “Hidden Gems” series, we look at three players who could be (or already are) Secret Superstars for the Lions — one underrated veteran, free-agent signing, and draft pick.

Underrated Veteran: Safety Kerby Joseph​

Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since he came into the NFL as a third-round pick out of Illinois in 2022, Kerby Joseph has more interceptions than any other player in the league — 17, including and especially the nine passes he picked off in 2024. But that may not be his most important statistic. The most pertinent number in Joseph’s career so far? Over the last two seasons, and a total of 1,450 coverage snaps and 89 targets, he’s allowed just two touchdowns — none in 2023, and two in 2024.

There are defenders who are boom-or-bust when it comes to interceptions. Cornerback DaRon Bland of the Dallas Cowboys had nine interceptions, and an NFL-record five pick-sixes in 2023 after recording five picks in his rookie season of 2022. But Bland had no picks in 2024, allowing four touchdowns and an opponent passer rating of 116.1 in an injury-complicated season. That’s not to bag on Bland at all; he’s a very good player when healthy. It’s more to amplify that the combination of production and prevention Joseph has established in his career is really, really hard to do.

It’s even harder to maintain from season to season.

It’s also true of Joseph —and this is incredibly important in today’s NFL — that he can bedevil enemy quarterbacks from anywhere in the defense. Safeties must be multiple these days, and Joseph is. Last season, four of his interceptions came from the deep middle of the field safety position, which he played on 40% of his snaps. Two came when he was playing split-safety in the deep third. Three happened when he was playing in the box, and while he didn’t have any interceptions from the slot, he played there on 9% of his snaps, and allowed one catch on three targets, and had a pass deflection.

That’s after a 2023 season in which he played 814 of his 1,072 snaps as a high safety, the ninth-highest in the NFL. Basically, wherever you put Kerby Joseph, he’s going to erase things.

With most defenders, it's either MOFO or MOFC. When Kerby Joseph was back in the deep third last season, the middle of the field was always closed. pic.twitter.com/lZywAdoFP3

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 11, 2025​

And it’s not as if he’s afraid to get grimy in the run game — quite the opposite. Joseph can scream down from the deep third to pressure the quarterback as well as any free safety.

Kerby Joseph of the @Lions has more interceptions than any other NFL player since his rookie year of 2022. But that's not all he's about. Joseph has no issue blowing up running plays, or attacking the quarterback. pic.twitter.com/EQ6ZDvIk0C

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 11, 2025​

So, why is Joseph underrated? Well, I probably don’t need to tell Lions fans that Joseph doesn’t get the national praise he deserves. I’m proud to be one of the people who vote for the AP Most Valuable Player, All-Pro teams, and all other awards. I was the only person to vote for Joseph as Defensive Player of the Year after that season. Not that Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. didn’t deserve the award per se, but I thought that Joseph would get a bit more love there.

Joseph will have to be satisfied with the four-year, $85 million contract extension with $23,121 million guaranteed he signed this offseason. There’s also his status as the best free safety in the game, and one half of the best safety duo in the NFL along with Brian Branch when Branch is in a pure safety role.

Which isn’t a bad place to be.

Underrated Free-Agent Signing: CB Avonte Maddox​

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Avonte Maddox’s career with the Philadelphia Eagles, the team that selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 draft out of Pitt, was an up-and-down excursion. He was never a full-time starter, topping out at nine starts last season, and he allowed an opponent passer rating of over 100 in four of his seven NFL seasons.

Perhaps it was the Vic Fangio effect, as Fangio made the most out of every Eagles defender in his care last season, but 2024 marked Maddox’s best campaign to date. That’s when he allowed 15 catches on 29 targets for 134 yards, 78 yards after the catch, one touchdown, no interceptions, six pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 75.9.

It was a good time for the Lions to swoop in and offer him a one-year, $1,422.5 million contract with $1,197.5 million guaranteed, which is great value if Maddox plays the way he did last season.

268 of Maddox’s 359 snaps in 2024 were in the slot, and all six of his pass breakups happened there. Whether he was trailing to the open field on vertical stuff, or closing and clamping down on shorter stuff, Maddox had an awareness of the position that we really hadn’t seen before.

As my friend and colleague @MarkSchofield likes to say about quarterbacks, progress is not always linear. In Avonte Maddox's seventh NFL season, he became a real pain in the ass as a slot defender. Who knows when the light will come on? The @Lions are betting that it stays on. pic.twitter.com/6t4bLOjBje

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 11, 2025​

If Maddox can be That Guy in the slot, it opens up other things for Kelvin Sheppard’s defense. Maybe it allows the aforementioned Kerby Joseph to play more up top. Perhaps Brian Branch runs more in the box and the deep third as a pure safety. At the very least, Maddox gives quality depth in a slot role that means more than ever in the NFL.

Underrated Draft Pick: EDGE Ahmed Hassanein​

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When I wrote my pre-draft piece for SB Nation about the eight defensive prospects who could be Secret Superstars on the right teams, Boise State’s Ahmed Hassanein stood out for a few reasons. The production was a factor, as the 6’2, 267-pound Hassanein recorded 24 sacks, 115 total pressures, and 62 stops in his final two seasons with the Broncos.

There’s also the fact that he did all of that with such limited experience. Hassanein was born in America, but moved to Cairo, Egypt to live with his father at age six. He didn’t start playing football until 2018, when he moved back to the United States, and his brother (a football coach) got him into it.

Despite that relative lack of time with the game, Hassanein has a lot on the ball in a lot of respects. And with further development, he could make the position where the Lions got him — the 196th overall pick in the sixth round — look like a ridiculous bargain.

“Incredible story by the way, but look, again, that’s not why we acquired him,” general manager Brad Holmes said of the pick and the player. “We acquired him because he plays with his hair on fire, and as, let’s call it developmental, as he is, he just – he plays hard. We talk about just – what do you have to do at that position? You’ve got to set edges and win rushes, and when I say win rushes, it’s not just getting a sack, you can win rushes just by harassment and power and collapsing the pocket and just sheer effort.

“So, we just liked the upside of him, we like his football character, his work ethic, his passion. He was so fired up on the phone to get here, that’s the type of stuff you want to hear, but we just – he’s been one of those guys that sometimes they start off as one of the favorites and then sometimes they might drift off because you see so much and you do so much film, but he’s a guy that just kept staying on the steady climb and ascension the more and more and more we watched of him. So, fired up about him.”

Holmes is absolutely right about Hassanein’s play style. Whether he’s on the edge (which he was on 93% of his snaps last season) or kicking inside, he brings as much violence and effort to the game as he possibly can. And when that aligns with the pass-rush plans he already has, watch out.

Boise State EDGE Ahmed Hassanein (91) is a fascinating prospect. Didn't start playing American football until 2018 after growing up in Egypt. There are holes in the technique as a result, but you don't just fall into 24 sacks and 115 total pressures over the last two seasons. pic.twitter.com/LDuAkKKnfF

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) April 4, 2025​

“I just think some growth,” assistant general manager Ray Agnew said of what Hassanein needs to bring it with the same force in the NFL. “It will be some growing pains on this level because you’ve got pretty good football players on this level. I just see him as he gets taught more tools in his tool belt as far as a pass rusher – using his hands better, learning when to rush with leverage, learning when you have the sweet spot and turn the corner, so just learning some nuances of the game.”

Hassanein’s life has already been a fascinating journey, and now, he’s got another one to look forward to.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions).

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...rs-kerby-joseph-avonte-maddox-ahmed-hassanein

 

[Detroit Lions]

Open Thread: What Detroit-based activity should Lions’ S Kerby Joseph try next?

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lions’ safety Kerby Joseph recently popped up at a Detroit Firehouse to kick it with some of the city’s finest. What should he do next?

When you are an All-Pro like Detroit Lions’ safety Kerby Joseph, you can pop into anywhere in the city and be well-received. Especially in a city like Detroit, where athletes are revered and taken care of within the community.

So when Joseph and his brother randomly showed up at a Detroit Firehouse, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they were welcomed with open arms. They were given a tour of the house, chopped it up about the upcoming Lions’ season, and even shared a meal together.

And after watching the video from Joseph’s YouTube channel, it got me thinking. What other city-related side quests could the Lions All-Pro safety try out this offseason?

That brings us to today’s Question of the Day:

What Detroit-based activity should Lions’ safety Kerby Joseph try next?​

Answer: I want Joseph to experience an Eastern Market Saturday. Get there nice and early, so he can have enough time to see all there is to see.

He can walk through each of the sheds and get his grocery shopping done for the week, grab some lunch at Cutters, and have a beer at Eastern Market Brewing Company. The choices are endless at the market, and I think it would be cool for Joseph to see some pictures of how the area transforms on a Sunday in the Fall. I have tailgated all over the city, and while there are some awesome spots everywhere, the Market will always remain at the top for me.

How about you? What Detroit-based activity should Lions’ safety Kerby Joseph try next? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...rby-joseph-complete-next-city-fire-department

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions News: Jared Goff named 2025 MVP dark horse candidate

Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Jared Goff is an MVP candidate, but unlike year’s past, oddsmakers aren’t to high on him.

Still months out from the season opener, Jared Goff has yet again emerged as a dark horse candidate for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player.

“If the Lions win like they did last season, Goff will almost certainly again deserve serious consideration,” writes NFLcom’s Judy Battista, who included JG on her list of potential MVP candidates in an article this week.

It’s been a hot topic this week, with Detroit Lions legend Calvin Johnson joining “Up and Adams” to discuss the future of the franchise. Megatron and host Kay Adams examined Goff’s MVP odds. He’s quite low on the list and Adams asks, what gives?

“I’m assuming it has something to do with the new offensive coordinator change,” he said. “But I love it. Jared’s going to wear it as a chip on his shoulder — as he should.”

“Jared’s going to wear it as a chip on his shoulder — as he should.”

Calvin Johnson on Goff’s +3100 MVP odds after finishing 5th in votes last season. @heykayadams | @calvinjohnsonjr | @FDSportsbook pic.twitter.com/NeTDLkCiei

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 12, 2025​

Battista points out that while there’s a new play-caller in town in John Morton, he’s reiterated he doesn’t plan to change all that much with this offense. However, two big changes in one of the team’s top-performing units —Frank Ragnow’s retirement and Kevin Zeitler’s free-agent departure—may present a bigger problem for Goff’s MVP chances.

“If there was a concern, it would be the offensive line,” Johnson tells Adams. “They’ve got to keep Jared up for us to have success, for him to distribute the ball to our playmakers. If we can put points up, even if the other team scores, we’ve got a chance to win... you gotta pick him up, you gotta keep him on his feet, he can’t get hit early and often.”

And onto the rest of your notes.

• One other clip from Megatron’s “Up and Adams” appearance:

“Aidan Hutchinson and Trey Hendrickson across from each other, that’s pretty scary.”

Calvin Johnson on the idea of Hendrickson joining the Lions.@heykayadams | @calvinjohnsonjr pic.twitter.com/J33YcpGFBu

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 12, 2025​

• Here’s who Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman is keeping his eye on.

Check out players that impressed @ttwentyman during #Lions OTAs

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 11, 2025​

• Nothing all that new, but Matthew Stafford said on “Pardon My Take” how he understands how Lions fans received him when he returned to Ford Field for the playoffs a few years back.

Matthew Stafford talks about the environment inside of Ford Field during his return to Detroit

via Pardon My Take pic.twitter.com/mWAfruDCnD

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) June 10, 2025​

• A few Lions rookies teamed up with Redford students to learn about brand-new technology as part of a Lomas Brown Jr. Foundation initiative.
• “What’s with the No. 5 ranking here? Well, the Lions suffered significant attrition, on both the sideline and the field of play.” NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice ranks the top 10 offenses ahead of the 2025 season.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ared-goff-named-2025-mvp-dark-horse-candidate

 

[Detroit Lions]

Brad Holmes talks Frank Ragnow’s retirement, qualities in ideal center

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Detroit Lions general manager reacted to the retirement of Frank Ragnow and talked about what he’s looking for in an ideal center.

We’ve heard from some players and coach Dan Campbell on what the loss of Frank Ragnow could mean for the Detroit Lions going forward. But the general manager who handed Ragnow a four-year extension in 2021 has been behind the scenes since the news broke over a week ago.

However, Brad Holmes joined former NFL defensive lineman Chris Long on his podcast “Green Light,” and the news inevitably came up. As expected, Holmes has a tremendous amount of respect for Ragnow and knows the All-Pro center is irreplaceable on some level.

Holmes talks about Frank Ragnow’s retirement ​

“He is the best. He, literally, when I first got the (Lions GM) job—obviously, I scouted him coming, (and) he was a great player. When I first got the job, he was the first player that had texted me,” Holmes said. “Reached out and was like, ‘Hey, man, congratulations.’

“He is the all-time warrior, man. Just a great human being. And he’s going to be sorely missed. Sorely missed in our locker room because he fit everything that we were about. I don’t know if you can just replace him, because it’s not just the player, it’s the person as well.”

What Holmes wants in a new center​

Obviously, Holmes and company will have to replace him on some level. Whether it’s with veteran Graham Glasgow—with several years of starting center experience—or second-round rookie Tate Ratledge, the Lions are going to have someone new manning the center of the offensive line, calling out protection schemes, and getting the ball to Jared Goff.

Holmes broke down a few qualities he thinks are key for a high-end center.

Intelligence

“First and foremost, it’s intelligence. It’s intelligence, it’s personality, and communication. I think you have to have that regardles—before you get into size and lateral quickness and all this ability to get to the second level and picking up games and all that stuff. Because you have to do so much from a communication, as you know Chris, and an intelligence standpoint. And, especially—it’s hard, man. It’s a complicated scheme, you have a veteran quarterback that has a lot of freedom to do a lot of different things, so you have to stay up to speed, man.”

Ability to anchor

“Do you have the ability to anchor? Because you’re right there in the middle, man, and you have so much exotic games and dogs coming at you. So you have to be able to anchor.”

Speed/agility

“In the run game, you have to have—there’s a level of quickness that you have to have just in terms of not only just at the snap getting off the ball, but getting up to the second level.”

Instincts

“(For) the interior, in general, there’s an instinctual or understanding of geometry and body positioning when you have to play out in space. You can’t just say, ‘Snap it and just run out there to the second level as fast as you can.’ That’s all for not. I don’t care how explosive and quick and fast you are. Getting to the second level—man, if the linebacker is just dipping right up under you and you completely missed the block, that didn’t matter. so you have to be able to kind of gear down instinctively.”

Does that give us any hints at who the Lions center may be in 2025? Not particularly, although it’s clear that Holmes values the mental and intangible parts of the position before the physical ones. Does Ratledge have all of those qualities, or will they rely on the years of knowledge seasoned veteran Glasgow brings to the table?

You can watch the entire interview below:

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ank-ragnows-retirement-qualities-ideal-center

 

[Detroit Lions]

Did you always believe in Dan Campbell?

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Did you ever let doubt creep in when it came to Dan Campbell’s ability to coach the Detroit Lions?

As we enter Year 5 of the Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell era of the Detroit Lions, now is a good time to reflect on the past four years.

Campbell has amassed a 39-28-1 record over the first four years, not including a 2-2 record in the postseason. There are a few things incredible about these accomplishments. For one, he already has the fourth-best winning percentage (.581) of any Detroit Lions coach in history. His four playoff appearances are only second to Wayne Fontes (five), and his two playoff wins are only second to Buddy Parker’s championship teams of the 1950s.

But perhaps the most impressive part of Campbell’s overall record is how he started. Remember, the Lions went 3-13-1 his first season in Detroit and followed that up with a 1-6 start in his second year. That’s a collective 4-19-1. So since then, the Lions have been 35-9. That’s a .795 win percentage since the middle of the 2022 season.

There were some dark times before that turnaround, though. Things were so bad that owner Sheila Hamp had to go out and speak directly to Lions fans to tell them that they just need to be patient and things will turn around. The beginning of that 2022 season featured a 29-0 loss to the New England Patriots led by Bailey Zappe. They were rolled by the Dallas Cowboys 24-6 after that game. And then the Miami Dolphins hung 31 points and nearly 500 yards of offense on them.

So today’s Question of the Day is:

Did you always believe in Dan Campbell? ​

My answer: If I’m being honest, the answer is no, but it’s also not really a fair question. Because I don’t really start with “I believe in this guy.” I begin with: show me. So when the Lions hired Campbell, and it was viewed as unorthodox, and he had his iconic press conference, my overall reaction was just to keep an open mind. There were some things I liked (his authenticity, his emotional intelligence), and there were some things I didn’t (an old-school approach to football).

I’m the kind of person who also thinks coaches/general managers need more time than some NFL franchises give them. So, when the Lions started out so terribly, I was mostly patient and forgiving. I wouldn’t say I ever “believed” in Dan Campbell over those first 25 games in Detroit, but I also didn’t think he was failing the franchise yet.

However, that Patriots game broke me a little bit. I said and tweeted some embarrassing things. I let my guard down, and my impatience took over. Granted, that was an emotional game for a lot of Lions fans, and we were hoping to find some relief and healing from the Matt Patricia era via a road win. Not only did that win never come, but it will probably go down as one of the worst losses in Campbell’s era with the Lions.

So, I let doubt creep in. I knew the Lions were in the midst of a long rebuild, and I knew that they weren’t going to be a contender in Year 2. And if I would’ve been level-headed at the time, I would’ve known that sometimes you just lay a stinker and it’s okay.

I never called for Campbell’s head or even remotely suggested it. However, that was the first (and really only) time I ever thought to myself: “This may not be the guy.”

How about you? How did you feel about the initial hire? Were you a Dan Campbell believer ever since his opening presser? Share your thoughts on the Lions coach in the comment section below.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...s-fans-always-believe-dan-campbell-head-coach