Detroit Lions 2025 Season Preview
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn/AP Photo)
The Lions are dealing with plenty of turnover as both their offensive and defensive coordinators found head coaching jobs this offseason. Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson were thought by some to be the best in their respective roles. Replacing both is not impossible, but it will take some time.
Departures: Not only did the Lions lose two star coordinators, but they said goodbye to some big time contributors. C Frank Ragnow unexpectedly retired and leaves a huge void in the middle of the Lions’ offensive line. IOL Kevin Zeitler, EDGE Za’Darius Smith, CB Carlton Davis, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, and CB Kindle Vildor will all be elsewhere next season. The cost of having a good team is not being able to pay all the good players – a lesson the Lions are finally learning. Unfortunately, DT Levi Onwuzurike went down with an ACL tear during offseason workouts that will cost him the entire 2025 season.
Additions: Before we get into the real offseason additions, it is worth mentioning that, despite already losing Onwuzurike to injury, the Lions are getting a ton of defensive production back from injuries next season. The defense will look to be completely re-energized after being stuck with the injury bug last season. Of players who I believe can make a real difference on this team, the Lions signed LB Derrick Barnes, DT Roy Lopez, CB DJ Reed, and CB Rock Ya-Sin to deals in the offseason.
Draft Selections: In the draft, the Lions did well to get draft slot value while also going after positions of need. They took Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams and Georgia IOL Tate Ratledge with their first two picks. They reached in the 3rd round by taking Arkansas WR Isaac Teslaa, but got back on track with the selection of LSU IOL Miles Frazier. Overall, they had a productive draft and added plenty of talent that can come in and help immediately.
Season Predictions: The Detroit Lions start the season against their biggest rival on the road against the Packers. They play another division rival when hosting the Bears in Week 2, go on the road to battle the Ravens, and end the opening month with a home game against the Browns. The Lions will start the season 3-1.
October starts with two consecutive road games against the Bengals and a Sunday Night Football game against the Chiefs. They follow that with another game on national television for a Monday Night Football game in Detroit against the Buccaneers and then a Week 8 bye. The Lions go 2-1 in this span.
Week 9 sees the Vikings come to town, followed by a road game against the Commanders, Sunday Night Football matchup with the Eagles, home game against the Giants, and their annual Turkey Day game against the Packers. The Lions will go 3-2 in November.
The final stretch of the season could be a tough one for Detroit. They host the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, go to Los Angeles to play the Rams, host the Steelers, play the Vikings in Minnesota on Christmas, and finish the season in Chicago on the road. In this final stretch, the Lions go 3-2.
Final Thoughts: I have the Detroit Lions finishing the 2025 season with a record of 11-6. A 4 loss win regression is not ideal on the surface, but with the brain drain that the Lions suffered combined with an improved division around them, the weekly battles will be much more taxing. Hopefully their injury luck turns around.
