After a disappointing finish to a season plagued with injuries to top performers, the Lions entered the 2025 offseason with their work cut out for them. This offseason, general manager Brad Holmes looked to fill gaps and create depth, while head coach Dan Campbell retooled his sideline for another championship run. With new faces on and off the field, the goal remains the same: win the Super Bowl.
Locker Room Math
Another year of Brad Holmes’ draft-day magic made for some difficult decisions ahead of the Lions’ season opener against the Packers on Sunday, Sept. 7 (4:25 p.m. on CBS). With new draft signings and fresh free agents, it’s clear the Lions are gearing up for the long haul.
It came as no surprise the Lions signed first-round pick Tyleik Williams and second-round pick Tate Ratledge, but almost no one expected the newest addition to the wide receiver room. Many experts thought the Lions’ decision to draft wide receiver Isaac Teslaa in the third round was risky, and it seemed improbable he would carve out a place in the star-studded receiving core. But after a stellar pre-season with three touchdowns and 146 receiving yards, Teslaa earned his spot on the final roster, edging out Tim Patrick for the job. The Lions traded Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2026 sixth round draft pick.
With the early signing of veteran Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen, questions surrounding backup quarterback Hendon Hooker’s place in the lineup began to swirl. And after a pre-season marked by three interceptions and two fumbles, it was no surprise Hooker did not make the Lions’ final 53-man roster, instead being claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.
While a change of scenery for Hooker was expected, the Lions’ decision to cut offensive lineman and noted eligible receiver, Dan Skipper, was not. Unlike Hooker though, Skipper was quickly signed to the Lions’ practice squad, opening the possibility of a return to the team’s active roster at some point this season. Linebacker and Detroit-native Anthony Pittman will also join the practice squad after being cut the same day as Skipper.
Coaches’ Corner
Although the Lions lost both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs — just days after losing in an upset to the Washington Commanders (ouch!) — Dan Campbell wasn’t caught flat-footed. With linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard’s promotion to defensive coordinator, it became clear how deep the Lions’ coaching tree roots are.
To fill the offensive coordinator role, the Lions brought back former senior offensive assistant John Morton, who spent the last two years building the Denver Broncos’ offense from scratch as passing game coordinator. Morton plans to add more deep balls to the Lions’ play calling, utilizing offensive weapons like Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and TeSlaa.
Health Is Wealth
The Lions’ toughest opponent in 2024 wasn’t the Bills — it was the injuries. The team’s health woes started with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s gruesome season-ending lower-leg injuries in a nationally televised game in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. By Week 15, there were 21 players on injured reserve, many of them core players, and the Lions had little left in the depth chart. But heading into the 2025 season, the team is looking healthier — with key exceptions Malcolm Rodriguez and Alim McNeill, both out with torn ACLs, but expected to turn in November — and ready for battle again.
Even with a healthy lineup, the Lions’ journey to the Super Bowl won’t be without challenges. With the hardest schedule in the NFL and five prime-time games, the Lions will have to shine when the lights are brightest. We predict that with new coaches at the helm, a reliable core squad, and newly acquired depth, the Lions will finish with a 12-5 record culminating in their first Super Bowl appearance.
Training Camp Chatter
In late July, Hour Detroit visited the Lions’ training camp to see how the new draft picks stack up against the returning players. These are a few highlights from this year’s preseason press conferences.
“We might take ketchup and call it mustard; we might take mustard and call it mayonnaise. So I feel like it’s just all about your skill set and how the coach can use you.” —Dominic Lovett on adapting to the Lions’ style of offense
“I think every receiver’s going to be running every different route in the route tree. I think that’s something that’s going to be really special and different.” —Isaac TeSlaa on John Morton’s offense
“I love how smart he is. He’s just going to continue to grow. I thought he did an exceptional job when he was at center — I mean, that’s a lot mentally.” —John Morton on Tate Ratledge playing center
“So first and foremost, I’m happy for Frank. [As far as filling the gap] the standard is the standard. We’re expected to be one of the top offensive lines in the league. You lose big pieces. … There may be a guy out and backup in. The expectation is the expectation, and that’s just not going to change.” —Taylor Decker on Frank Ragnow’s retirement
“I’ve had my best seasons coming back from something. We’re going to be shooting for that same trend.” —Aidan Hutchinson on his confidence going into the season
“First of all, you’re always enthusiastic. It’s a new season; it’s a new beginning. You understand what that road looks like, and there’s going to be nothing easy about it.” —Dan Campbell on his enthusiasm about the season
This story originally appeared in the September 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine and has been updated. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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