Despite entering the 2025 season as one of the favorites to compete in the NFC, the Detroit Lions currently sit on the wrong side of the playoff line with five games remaining.

The team lost for the third time in November, dropping a home game to division rivals, the Green Bay Packers, 31-24.

The loss puts the Lions third in the NFC North, two games behind the Chicago Bears. After the weekend, Detroit sits below the playoff line with a 7-5 record. On Monday, ESPN gave the Lions a 44% chance of making the postseason.

Head coach Dan Campbell is aware of the team’s recent slump but remains determined to make a final push into the playoffs.

“We dug ourselves a little bit of a hole,” he said after Thursday’s loss. “That’s the bottom line. We are in a little bit of a hole. But that’s just what it is. There’s nothing more than that. So all we got to do is worry about cleaning up this and then getting to the next game and finding a way to win the next one in front of us.”

Under Campbell, the Lions won back-to-back NFC North titles in 2023 and 2024. Last season, the team finished with its best regular-season record (15-2) in franchise history but lost in the Divisional round against the Washington Commanders.

The Lions’ next game is a home clash with the hot Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.

Just a week ago, the Detroit Lions announced that they signed edge rusher Aiden Hutchinson to a four-year, $180 million contract extension.

The deal included a $141 million guaranteed, the largest guarantee ever awarded to a non-quarterback in NFL history. Hutchinson’s average annual salary of $45 million ranks second only to Micah Parsons among non-quarterbacks.

At 25 years old, Hutchinson has already established himself as a cornerstone of Detroit’s defense. As a former No. 2 overall draft pick in 2022, he overcame a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 6 of 2024 to return to high-level play this season. Through seven games in 2025, he has registered six sacks and four fumbles, while ranking among the league in quarterback pressures.

Coach Dan Campbell praised Hutchinson’s all-around impact, noting his ability to set the edge in the run game, disrupt the quarterback, and even drop into coverage when asked. “Complete! Fired up to have him long term!” Campbell wrote in a text shared by the media.

The contract extension aligns with Detroit’s broader strategy to draft and retain home-grown talent under general manager Brad Holmes. In recent seasons, players such as quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and offensive tackle Penei Sewell also secured long-term deals.

In Week 9, Hutchinson was flagged for unnecessary roughness for a “leg whip” in an attempt to bring down the Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy, which usually carries a $17,000 fine. After reviewing the incident, the league decided not to fine Hutchinson.

Tensions erupted at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday night after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Detroit Lions 30-17, when Lions safety Brian Branch struck Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster following the game.

The players met near midfield. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes extended his hand to reach for a high-five from Branch, but a Detroit defender brushed past him. Smith-Schuster stepped in to confront Branch, and things quickly escalated.

Branch hit Smith-Schuster in the facemask, which knocked him to the ground. This triggered a brief brawl between players from both sides before the staff had to intervene.

Later, Branch admitted he lost his composure. “[I] reacted out of frustration after what he felt were ‘uncalled penalties’ earlier in the game,” he said. Smith-Schuster, who left with a bloody nose, said he tried to shake hands and move on. “I was doing my job. I didn’t expect that at all,” he told reporters.

Lions Coach Dan Campbell condemned the incident and apologized to the Chiefs coach Andy Reid, emphasizing that “Branch’s behavior does not reflect the team’s values. It is not who we are; he knows it, and the team knows it.”

Branch, already fined this season, could face additional discipline from the league. The altercation overshadowed a disappointing performance from Detroit, whose four-game win streak came to an end. Kansas City outgained the Lions with 355 total yards, while Mahomes led a steady offensive attack. The Lions will now regroup and look to regain their composure before returning home next week.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff couldn’t believe the Chicago Bears let running back David Montgomery join the team back in 2023, he recalled earlier this week.

Since signing a three-year, $18 million contract with Detroit in early 2023 as an unrestricted free agent from the Bears, the running back has tallied 2,023 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns across three seasons. Last Sunday, Montgomery ran for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns in the team’s 38-30 road victory against the Baltimore Ravens.

But after signing with the team, Goff was left shocked to see that the Bears had allowed the former Iowa State running back to join a division rival.

“I saw D-Mo from across the field for years in Chicago, and I was shocked when they let him walk,” he said on Wednesday. “When we landed him, I was like, ‘Holy smokes, we just got one of the best backs in the league.”

The Lions added to their depth in the running back position shortly afterwards, after signing Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Since then, the 23-year-old has rushed 2,537 yards and scored 29 rushing touchdowns, helping the Lions win back-to-back NFC North division titles and one NFC Championship appearance.

“You draft Gibbs, and it’s like, ‘Wow, we have two of the best backs in the league,'” Goff said. “They feed off each other; they’re both incredibly hard-working and good players. The energy they feed off each other, one of them runs well, and the other one wants to run well too. They’re as good as it gets.”

After a setback in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, the Lions bounced back by putting up 90 points across two wins against the Bears and Ravens. Dan Campbell‘s side looks to make it three straight wins as the Cleveland Browns visit Ford Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Detroit Lions were one of the most dominant teams, if not the most dominant team, in the 2024 season, averaging 33.2 points a game, which led the NFL. The Lions would go 15-2 and earn the one seed in the NFC before being upset by the Commanders in the divisional round, losing 45-31. The Lions still had a fantastic season, winning the most games in a season in franchise history with 15. Quarterback Jared Goff also finished in the top five for MVP voting, and head coach Dan Campbell would finish in the top three in coach of the year voting.

>GET DEALS ON DETROIT LIONS TICKETS NOW!

The offseason would start rough for the Lions, losing both of their coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who both accepted head coaching jobs. The team also lost several players to free agency, like cornerback Carlton Davis, guard Kevin Zeitler and defensive end Za’Darius Smith. The most significant loss, however, was center Frank Ragnow, who retired after seven seasons with the Lions. Ragnow was one of the best centers in the league and was a key part of the dominant offensive line play from 2024.

Despite all the losses, the Lions made sure to reload this offseason. They signed players like cornerback D.J. Reed from the Jets, linebacker Derrick Barnes, defensive end Marcus Davenport and cornerbacks Avonte Maddox and Rock Ya-Sin. The Lions also promoted John Morton to their offensive coordinator and Kelvin Sheppard to their defensive coordinator.

Heading into the draft, the Lions held the 28th overall pick, which they selected defensive tackle Tyleik Williams out of Ohio State. They also upgraded their offensive line, which lost several starters this last season, drafting guard Tate Ratledge out of Georgia in the second round. They also selected wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa out of Arkansas, guard Miles Frazier out of LSU and Ahmed Hassanein out of Boise State.

The Lions will face numerous obstacles in their quest to return to the one seed in the NFC, given their third-hardest schedule in the NFL, according to Fox Sports. Detroit opens its season vs its division rival, the Green Bay Packers, in Green Bay, and in week two, it plays the Chicago Bears, another division rival. The Lions have to play several playoff teams from last season, including the Packers, Ravens, Chiefs, Vikings, Commanders, Buccaneers, Eagles, Rams and Steelers. Detroit will have to quickly establish a new identity if it wants to replicate last season’s success.

DETROIT LIONS SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

• Week 1: Sept. 7 at Green Bay Packers
• Week 2: Sept. 14 vs. Chicago Bears
• Week 3: Sept. 22 at Baltimore Ravens (Monday Night Football on ESPN/ABC)
• Week 4: Sept. 28 vs. Cleveland Browns
• Week 5: Oct. 5 at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 6: Oct. 12 at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday Night Football on NBC)
• Week 7: Oct. 20 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Monday Night Football on ESPN/ABC)
• Week 8: Bye Week
• Week 9: Nov. 2 vs. Minnesota Vikings
• Week 10: Nov. 9 at Washington Commanders
• Week 11: Nov. 16 at Philadelphia Eagles (ET, Sunday Night Football on NBC)
• Week 12: Nov. 23 vs. New York Giants
• Week 13: Nov. 27 vs. Green Bay Packers (Thanksgiving – 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Week 14: Dec. 4 vs. Dallas Cowboys (Thursday Night Football on Prime Video)
• Week 15: Dec. 14 at Los Angeles Rams
• Week 16: Dec. 21 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 17: Dec. 25 at Minnesota Vikings (Christmas Day on Netflix)
• Week 18: vs. Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions Season/Game Odds

Despite a bumpy offseason, the Lions still have +1100 odds of winning the Super Bowl and +500 odds of winning the NFC Championship for the first time in franchise history. The Lions, however, will open week one as +1.5 underdogs on the road vs the Packers, but are favored in 12 of their 17 games next season.

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Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone missed a chunk of games in 2024 due to injury. Despite this, the Lions aren’t missing Anzalone from their offseason program.

Anzalone on social media has hinted at his desire to get a deal done with the Lions, posting the caption “respect is due.” He’s missed voluntary work in the pursuit of a new contract, but defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has no worries.

“Me and Alex are all good,” Sheppard told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I have zero concern. That player is a leader here and he’s been a leader here, he’s been an intricate piece in building the culture that’s here, and I’m going to pay the respect that he’s earned and that he’s due, and whatever his private situations are, I’ll let Alex address those when he’s face-to-face with you all.”

Anzalone won’t be able to join the team until the start of training camp in the summer.

Before his injury, Anzalone finished 2024 with 63 tackles and one sack. He’s spent four seasons with the Lions after a previous four with the New Orleans Saints.

In 2022 and 2023, Anzalone finished with over 125 tackles. In both seasons, he led the Lions in tackles.

Anzalone has been very open about wanting a new contract. If the Lions don’t reward his performance with a contract, a holdout could be possible.

The Detroit Lions and safety Kerby Joseph have reached an agreement on a four-year, $86 million extension that makes him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.

The extension, which pays Joseph $21.5 million per year, passes the $21.025 average set by Antoine Winifield Jr. in his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 24-year-old is coming off a career-best year in which he led the NFL with nine interceptions. He was named to the first-team All-Pro and helped lead the Lions to a 15-2 record.

Joseph is just the first in a line of homegrown Lions talents that could be up for paydays soon. Defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, despite coming off a broken tibia and fibula, could earn a large extension. Wide receiver Jameson Williams is also eligible for a new contract.

Joseph was a third-round draft pick in 2022 out of Illinois. So far in his career, he has 48 interceptions and passes defended.

He and Ed Reed are the only two players to record 225 tackles and 15 interceptions in their first three NFL seasons.

“I feel like I’m the best safety in the NFL,” Joseph said on the Jim Rome Show in the offseason. “I’m always going to strive to be the best.”

The Lions have the second-most cap space remaining for the 2025 season, but the second least for the 2026 season. The front office needs to manage its money carefully if the Lions want to keep their homegrown talent.

The New York Jets announced Wednesday that they hired Aaron Glenn to be their next head coach. Glenn has been the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator since 2021, working with Dan Campbell to turn the long-struggling team into a Super Bowl contender.

Glenn’s first staff assignment in the NFL was with the Jets as a personnel scout in 2012. He went on to coach defensive backs for the Browns and Saints before accepting the job in Detroit. He has been on New York’s radar for some time, and his strong connection to the team may have had something to do with his decision to decline an interview with the Patriots earlier this month.

With Glenn headed to the Jets and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepting the head coaching job for the Chicago Bears, Campbell and the Lions will have to restructure its staff on both sides of the ball ahead of next season. 

Detroit, coming off a loss to the Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round, still has plenty of weapons on offense and defensive standouts returning from injury. But building back up without both coordinators will be a tall task in 2025.

As for the Jets, who are turning to yet another defensive-minded head coach, the way forward is only slightly clearer now. New York is still without a general manager, and key players like Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have not given any clear direction in terms of a return yet. If Rodgers leaves, the goal will be to form a new front office and find a quarterback to lead the team’s young talent on offense. But Glenn, like Robert Saleh before him, can only do so much beyond staff decisions and defensive schemes.

There are countless directions New York can go in for a 2025 quarterback. Expectations are so low after last season that there’s virtually no pressure to speak of. Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Sam Darnold are all in play. The Jets can trade up for a draft pick if they see Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward as a sure thing. If they really want, they can wait until next year and ride things out with Tyrod Taylor. 

The point is that there isn’t a single option available to them that won’t require time to pay off. This should be to Glenn’s advantage, as he should have at least two seasons in a typically hostile media environment to build something new. That has proven difficult for past coaches going back decades, and owner Woody Johnson is cemented as a common denominator in those struggles. But Glenn has the background to be effective in seemingly dreary situations, giving him some sort of chance to succeed in this Sisyphean task.

The first-seed Detroit Lions’ season ended on Saturday with a 31-45 loss to the heavy underdog Washington Commanders. Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 313 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, including a pick-six.

That loss, though, has freed up the Lions’ coaching staff to look for other jobs. And there’s been no hesitation in that category, as offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has agreed to a head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, following a virtual interview during Detroit’s first-round bye.

Johnson also interviewed with the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, although he reportedly wasn’t interested in the Jaguars due to “the setup,” likely concerning ownership and the retaining of general manager Trent Baalke.

Instead, he opted for Chicago, who offered him around $13 million per year – a staggering figure for a man with a grand total of zero years of head coaching experience. That figure would spot him as the seventh highest-paid coach this season, ahead of coaches like the Ravens’ John Harbaugh. If that price indicates anything about the trend, other coachless teams should be expecting to shell out this offseason.

Johnson, of course, was highly sought-after for a reason. The Lions finished the regular season first in offensive points per game, yards per game, touchdowns per drive (an astonishing 33%) and red zone touchdown percentage. The Lions averaged at least 26 points per game in the first three years of Johnson’s tenure, while Chicago has had four seasons meeting that criterion in the Super Bowl era.

His innovative offensive structure will now be tasked with elevating quarterback Caleb Williams, heading into his sophomore year, as well as promising pieces such as D’Andre Swift (who had a good season last year with the Eagles), DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.

The team also has a top-ten draft pick and a top-five amount of cap space, with which the Bears can hopefully improve an offensive line that saw Williams get sacked a league-leading 68 times.

Johnson’s connections may also prove key, as he’s reportedly already assembling his coaching staff. According to Adam Schefter, former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is the “leading candidate to become his defensive coordinator.”

Williams praised Johnson’s offense earlier in the month.

“During our game, I would sit back and watch and try and learn something while I watch,” Williams said. “It was fascinating to watch because he always had wrinkles for counters and things like that throughout the game. I think he’s obviously done really well, so it’d be cool to see how that all goes down.”

Chicago interviewed 17 candidates, seeking to fill the position vacated by Matt Eberflus following an unceremonious firing in November following a six-game losing streak. They went 1-4 after the firing, ending the season scraping the bottom of the division at 5-12.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has reportedly emerged as the leading candidate for the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job. Johnson interviewed with a number of teams during the Lions’ playoff bye last weekend, and impressed the Raiders’ organization.

Despite garnering massive attention among rebuilding teams entering their off-seasons, Johnson’s sixth season with the Lions is far from over. His future prospects will not be on his mind for as long as the first-seeded Lions are still kicking.

“I’m going to stay focused on the main thing right here, and that’s going to be the Washington Commanders,” Johnson said during a press conference Wednesday. “That’s what we’re about. [Dan Campbell] asked me about how it went this weekend. It went great, and that’s the end of it. The focus right here and now for the players, for the coaching staff and for everybody in this building is about this game this week.”

After kickstarting his coaching career at Boston College and later rising through the ranks with the Miami Dolphins, Johnson arrived in Detroit in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach. He accepted roles as the tight ends coach and passing game coordinator before finally landing the offensive coordinator job in 2022, one season after Campbell was hired as head coach. The two have since worked together to turn the Lions’ offense into one of the best in the league.

With an elite offensive background in an increasingly scoring-oriented league, Johnson would be a natural target for any number of struggling teams in the league. The Chicago Bears are looking to build a new scheme around young quarterback Caleb Williams. 

The Jaguars have been trying to find a complement to quarterback Trevor Lawrence for years. The Jets are about to begin another rebuild, something Johnson saw firsthand in Detroit. From countless angles, his time with the Lions has made him a universally desirable head coaching hire. Prospective teams, on the other hand, offer little more than problems to fix.

Like their fellow cellar mates, the Raiders have their own share of dysfunction. They have a certain allure as well, however. Moving from Oakland to Las Vegas has put the team at the center of a new sports market. Tom Brady just bought a minority share in the team and is taking an active role in shaping the organization. Tight end Brock Bowers is coming off one of the greatest rookie seasons in the history of the position, working with almost no support around him.

Despite a horrific 4-13 season in 2024, there is enough happening in Las Vegas to tempt a coach like Johnson to sign on. The team is reportedly searching for a new quarterback, which could allow Johnson to immediately begin to shape his own offense in his first season as head coach. There’s very little that he would have to inherit, as there’s very little the Raiders would want to keep from past coaching regimes. 

For now, Johnson’s coaching future is unknown as he concludes his epic run with the Detroit Lions. But if he chooses to step out on his own when the music finally stops, Las Vegas is one of many teams that seem content to leave the light on for him.

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In the season’s final game, San Francisco 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting were ejected for fighting. For or Jennings, it was the second fight in two games: in the previous play, he fought with cornerback Starling Thomas.

They were costly fights. Jennings fell just 25 yards short of his first career 1,000-yard season after being ejected in the second quarter.

It was the second strange game in a row for Jennings. Last week, when the 49ers lost to the Detroit Lions, another incident involving Jennings surprised fans.

The 49ers drove down the field, eventually reaching a first and goal, when 49ers receiver got tangled up with Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold. A block turned into Jennings tossing Arnold to the ground after the whistle, and Lions safety Kerby Joseph immediately came to Arnold’s defense, tossing Jennings into the front row.

Jennings landed on a fan in a wheelchair, and Arnold capped off the bizarre play by slapping his facemask while he was prone.

The play concluded at net zero, with offsetting unnecessary roughness penalties on Jennings and Joseph. The next one would get San Francisco on the board, as Brock Purdy connected with rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall for six.

Jennings finished the game with seven catches for 67 yards.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is reportedly planning to come out of retirement and will sign with the Detroit Lions. Bridgewater retired from the NFL in 2023 and most recently led Miami Northwestern High School, his alma mater, to a state championship as head coach.

The motivation behind Bridgewater’s desire to return to the NFL is still unclear, but joining the Lions places him in a potentially important position for a Super Bowl contender. Bridgewater would likely serve as one of two backup quarterbacks for Jared Goff on the team’s playoff roster, joining second-year passer Hendon Hooker.

Bridgewater reportedly has a good relationship with Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who worked as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2016 to 2020. The journeyman passer played there in 2018 and 2019. Bridgewater’s last stint before retiring was with Campbell and the Lions in 2023.

Based on his reputation, Bridgewater figures as a shrewd addition for the Lions. The veteran passer is known as an excellent locker room presence and teammate, especially for his fellow quarterbacks. As of 2022, he also proved capable of starting and holding his own at the professional level. In five appearances and two starts for the Miami Dolphins that year, he threw for 683 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions, earning an 85.6 quarterback rating. His last extended stint as a starter came in 2021, when he threw for 3,000 yards as a member of the Denver Broncos.

Based on Campbell’s eagerness to work with Bridgewater at the tail end of his career, it doesn’t feel preposterous to suspect that the quarterback could soon land a coaching role for the Lions after his second retirement. Bridgewater’s interest in coaching at a local level, combined with his locker room behavior and the Lions’ persistent interest, could make him a viable candidate in some capacity in the near future.

In the meantime, Bridgewater must do what he can to assist a white-hot Lions offense looking to overcome a slew of injuries on defense. The team’s prospects as a Super Bowl favorite have dwindled somewhat in recent weeks, but with Goff piloting an explosive passing game and rushing attack, the team still has a strong puncher’s chance. If Goff goes down, however, it may come down to Bridgewater or Hooker to pick up the pieces and keep the team’s championship hopes alive. It would be a big step up from high school ball.  

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams decided not to appeal his two-game suspension with the NFL. On Monday, the league stated that the former Alabama wide-out violated the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy and would be required to sit out two games. Williams released a statement detailing his decision not to appeal.

“This week, I was notified by the NFL that I have been suspended for a violation of the performance-enhancing substances policy,” he said in a statement. “The news came as a complete surprise that I am still trying to understand. I don’t take supplements or vitamins, and I am overly cautious about even taking over-the-counter medicine. At no time have I ever taken something in an attempt to cheat or look for an unfair advantage. I understand that I am responsible for everything that goes into my body, and I have to take accountability in this instance.”

Williams has been in the league for only three seasons but now misses substantial time in all of them. In his rookie season, he missed 11 games due to an ACL injury. Last season, the league suspended him for four games because he violated its gambling policy. Unfortunately for the wide receiver, 2024 was his most productive year, with 361 yards in six games, the most in a campaign for him. He will miss out on the games against the Tennessee Titans at home and Green Bay Packers on the road. Here is what his head coach, Dan Campbell, said about the matter.

“I know this: we’ve dangled a rope down on the way up, we can’t wait for anybody, and over a year ago, he started climbing his way up, and he got to us, and maybe he lost his grip, but he’ll climb back up again. That rope’s still there, it’s tied to us and he’ll be just fine. But he’s part of this team, and I trust him.”

The Lions are 1st in the NFC North with a 5-1 record.

With Aidan Hutchinson being placed on injured reserve due to a tibia and fibula fracture that takes 4-6 months to heal, the Detroit Lions filled his roster spot on Tuesday.

The Lions signed defensive end Isaiah Thomas off the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. Thomas, who played college football at Oklahoma, was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in ten games his rookie year, and in the off-season, he stayed in the division and went to the Bengals. He has not recorded a stat during the 2023 or 2024 season, but the Lions hope to tap into his potential, as he stands 6’5’’ and weighs 266 pounds.

The Lions are incredibly thin at defensive end, with Marcus Davenport also on IR, a player they hoped would rush opposite to Hutchinson. Detroit will be counting on Josh Paschal, their second-round draft pick in 2022, to fill in for the missing pieces and breakout. However, Paschal has not yet recorded a sack through three seasons in his NFL career.

Even with the injury concerns, Dan Campbell did not say his team needed to make a trade on Monday and believes in the talent on their roster.

“Yeah. I mean, listen, my job is to coach what’s here, and I’m going to coach the hell out of them, and we are as a staff. And so, yeah, I do (think we can win with what we have). And if we get somebody, great. If we don’t, these are our guys. And the coaches know that. This is what we came into camp with; this is why we develop talent, and it’s next man up, and they’ve got to be ready to go.”

The Lions will play the Minnesota Vikings on the road this week in an in-division matchup between one-loss teams. ESPN Bet currently lists Detroit as a 2.5-point underdog.

Detroit Lions’ standout edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson will miss the rest of the 2024 season after undergoing emergency surgery on a broken tibia and fibula. Hutchinson sustained the injury in the second half of his team’s blowout win against the Dallas Cowboys. He was taken off the field on a cart with an air cast around his lower leg. After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell announced that Hutchinson had stayed overnight at a local Dallas hospital to receive the surgery, and the team released a statement.

“Aidan Hutchinson underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured tibia and fibula at Baylor White Medical Center in Irving, Texas, last night. Hutchinson will return to Detroit this week and is expected to make a full recovery. There is no timetable for his return to play at this time.”

Later in the day, multiple NFL media sources confirmed that Hutchinson would be done for the year.

From his Instagram, Hutchinson released his own statement:

“In light of Aidan’s injury last night, we want to thank you all for the outpouring of love and well wishes,” a post from Hutchinson’s Instagram page read. “Your support through this shocking situation means so much to our family. We are blessed to share that Aidan’s surgery was a success. Thank you to the doctors and nurses who have taken such good care of him. Aidan wants you all to know that his healing and redemption story has begun. He is holding the motto of Detroit close to heart: resurget cineribus. He will rise from the ashes.”

Hutchinson currently leads the NFL in pressures and was in the midst of a career year with 7.5 sacks through five games, anchoring a Detroit roster that is 4-1 right now. The Lions took Hutchinson out of Michigan with the second overall pick in the 2022 draft out of the University of Michigan.

The Detroit Lions achieved a major milestone in their rebuild, making the NFC Championship game while winning the NFC North with a 12-5 record. Detroit’s 2023 draft picks contributed to the magical run: Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 945 yards during the regular season and 144 during the postseason, while Sam LaPorta broke the NFL record for receptions for rookie tight ends with 86. LaPorta caught ten touchdowns, a franchise record for rookies.

Their win over the Los Angeles Rams in the wildcard game marked the Lions’ first playoff victory since 1991, breaking the NFL’s longest winless streak in the playoffs. Detroit defeated Tampa Bay in the divisional round, advancing to the title game for the first time since 1991. Though the Lions led 24-7 at the half, the 49ers stormed back to take the NFC Championship game 34-31.

Looking to build from 2023, Detroit retained vital players, including Donovan-Peoples Jones and Graham Glasgow. Ex-Cincinatti Bengal D.J. Reader was signed to upgrade the defensive tackle spot, while Marcus Davenport was brought in to provide depth to the pass rush. Former Baltimore Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler delivers a boost to the offensive line. Cornerback Carleton Davis was acquired in a trade with the Buccaneers for a third-round pick. Despite these additions, the Lions lost players such as Josh Reynolds, Zach Ertz and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Alabama corner Terrion Arnold was picked 24th to help the secondary following Cameron Sutton’s release – Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was taken in round two to further add to the secondary.

The route to replicating 2023’s success is challenging since the Lions’ schedule is 21st, and teams in the NFC North have improved, most notably the Bears and Vikings. Detroit will face eight playoff teams from 2023 to 2024. They played the Rams and Buccaneers in the first two weeks, which are teams they faced last postseason. In addition, the Lions face the Cowboys, Texans, Jaguars, Bills and 49ers while squaring off with the Packers, Vikings and Bears twice.

Coach Dan Campbell has Super Bowl aspirations for his Lions since the roster is a close replica of last year’s. While the Lions are a team to beat, it comes down to how well they live up to high expectations.

DETROIT LIONS SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

• Week 1: Sept. 8 against Los Angeles Rams
• Week 2: Sept. 15 against Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Week 3: Sept. 22 at Arizona Cardinals
• Week 4: Sept. 30 against Seattle
• Week 5: Bye Week
• Week 6: Oct. 13 at Dallas Cowboys
• Week 7: Oct. 20 at Minnesota Vikings
• Week 8: Oct. 27 against Tennesee Titans
• Week 9: Nov. 3 at Green Bay Packers
• Week 10: Nov. 10 at Houston Texans
• Week 11: Nov. 17 against Jacksonville Jaguars
• Week 12: Nov. 24 at Indianapolis Colts
• Week 13: Nov. 28 against Chicago Bears
• Week 14: Dec. 5 against Green Bay Packers
• Week 15: Dec. 15 against Buffalo Bills
• Week 16: Dec. 22 at Chicago Bears
• Week 17: Dec. 30 at San Francisco 49ers
• Week 18: against Minnesota Vikings

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To add insult to injury, Sean McVay announced on Monday that the Los Angeles Rams placed second-year wide receiver Puka Nacua on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least four games from a PCL sprain in his knee. Nacua battled injuries during the off-season, specifically knee problems, and tried to continue to play on Sunday after initially leaving the field due to injury before calling it quits.

McVay also announced that center Steve Avila and left tackle Joe Noteboom would be placed on IR. Avila, entering his second season, picked up an MCL sprain that held him out for the second half against the Lions, and Noteboom will miss time with an ankle. The Rams struggled to keep a ferocious Detroit pass rush off quarterback Matthew Stafford, and an offensive line held together with string must find an answer to slow down the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West showdown this weekend.

Mcvay gave context to the ailments at his press conference on Monday.

“Each of those three guys have unique injuries that, as of right now, it could keep them out longer than that. And so we’ll see,” he said. “Let’s not place expectations on when they’re going to come back, because these guys are so conscientious. Let’s allow them to be ready to go whenever their body says, and when the doctors do say. I know they’re going to accelerate it and be ready as quickly as possible.”

Nacua broke multiple records in his rookie season with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards, becoming the perfect running mate next to Cooper Kupp and another weapon for Stafford to throw to. The Rams lost in the Wild Card round to the Lions lost season and start 2024 on the wrong foot with an 0-1 record in the competitive NFC West.

The Detroit Lions continue their busy off-season.

On Monday, general manager Brad Holmes signed offensive tackle Taylor Decker to a three-year extension worth up to $60 million. Roughly half of the contract, $31.83 million, is guaranteed. The Lions selected him with the 16th pick in the 2016 draft out of Ohio State. He has spent his entire career in the Motor City and is the longest-tenured player on the team.

The 30-year-old Decker verbalized what the extension meant in a press conference after practice.

“I’m very fortunate, and I’ve gotten to have some good luck along the way, but there was also a lot that went into it,” he said. “Sacrifices from myself and from those around me, so it feels good. It just feels special to be able to stay here and be with my friends and get to work with people that I care about and that I love.”

After Detroit reached the NFC championship game last year, Holmes made it his mission to lock down the core that got the team there. Quarterback Jared Goff signed a four-year, $212 million extension in early May, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown received a four-year, $120 million deal two weeks before. Decker’s fellow tackle, Penei Sewell, also earned $112 million in April, and the two will be bookends on the offensive line for years to come.

Decker has been a part of countless losses during his 112 starts, but the Lions are on the upswing. After reaching their first NFC title game since 1992, Hard Rock Bet gives Detroit the second-best odds to win the conference at +550, trailing only the 49ers. Holmes added to his roster in free agency and the draft, selecting two corners from the SEC with their first two picks and signing defensive tackle DJ Reader to a two-year $27.5 million deal. The new pieces should sure up a defense that allowed 19th in total defense.

The Detroit Lions received bad news as kicker Michael Badgley tore his hamstring during last Thursday’s practice, sidelining him for all of the 2024 season. Coach Dan Campbell said that Badgley will be placed on injured reserve and is expected to have surgery.

“We feel awful for Badge,” Campbell said. “He worked his tail off to get ready for this season. He was having a good spring and was ready for camp, it’s tough.”

Badgley spent his college career with the Miami Hurricanes before joining the Colts’ practice squad in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. During his Hurricanes career, the kicker made 96.1 percent of PATs while converting 79.4 percent of field goal attempts. Indianapolis released Badgley before the 2018 season, later picked up by the Chargers where he was 15 for 16 on field goals and 27 for 28 on point after tries. Badgley would flip between the Titans and Colts before landing in Detroit for 2023.

The former Hurricanes’ kicker was 56 for 58 on field goal attempts from inside the 40 in 2023 – he also won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 13 last season.

Ex-UFL kicker Jake Bates will take responsibility for being the team’s kicker for 2024 after Badgley’s injury. Bates was 17 for 22 on field goal tries when playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks last spring. However, Bates will have to earn the role as the Lions intend to find a replacement after they held a workout looking for another kicker. “If we find the right guy that helps us for competition, then we’ll add them,” Coach Campbell remarked.

The NFL is reviewing four proposed rule changes submitted by teams ahead of the 2024 season. The proposed changes mainly pertain to special teams’ procedures and challenge limitations.

For any rule change to pass, the proposal must go to a vote by the NFL’s owners and receive 75% support. There is a review period, however, to clarify and prepare amendments.

The Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts both submitted proposals to amend the current challenge rules. Detroit is proposing to expand a team’s ability to challenge a third ruling. As it is now, teams may only get a third challenge if their first two are successful. The Lions want to change rule two that teams only need to succeed on one of two challenges.

The Colts, meanwhile, are making a more straightforward proposal and requesting that teams or officials gain the ability to challenge penalty calls inside of two minutes. The league currently doesn’t allow teams to challenge any foul call, even though this has led to several games being decided by controversial officiating decisions.

The Eagles submitted the other two rule proposals and both concern special teams. The first is one they have repeatedly suggested in recent years and is slowly beginning to find traction. Instead of an onside kick, Philadelphia wants to give kicking teams the opportunity to convert a 4th & 20 play from their own 25-yard line in order to keep possession.

This rule change has been suggested in many forms over the years and stems from a desire to change the current kickoff rules. A majority of NFL injuries occur during kickoffs, and the lack of success of onside kicks has also made it less popular. There have also been variations of this rule change in the past that have allowed teams to line up in this formation all the time and punt, eliminating the kickoff altogether.

The Eagles’ second proposed rule change is to eliminate the spot of “first touching” after the receiving team gains possession of the ball. Because a spot is established after a member of the kicking team touches the ball, the receiving team technically has a chance at a free run, after which they can accept the first spot regardless. The Eagles claim that this rule change would also improve player safety.