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Make no mistake about it, there is a ton of pressure on the Detroit Lions this year. This team was favored to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl at the start of the 2025 season after their brilliant year in 2024, but something significant was missing.
The Lions had lost their two coordinators and head coach Dan Campbell went to war without Ben Johnson as his offensive coordinator and they also lost defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Johnson became the head coach of the division rival Chicago Bears and he played a key role in that team winning the NFC North title. Glenn was nowhere near as successful as head coach of the New York Jets, but he has retained his job.
Campbell spoke bravely about the Lions moving on without their coordinators, but Detroit was nowhere near as efficient on either side of the ball. After finishing 15-2 in 2024, the Lions slipped to 9-8 last year and that resulted in a last-place finish in the division.
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While that was a major disappointment to the team’s long-suffering fans who are still waiting for the team’s first appearance in the Super Bowl, it could work out in the Lions’ favor this season. The Lions still bring a ton of talent to the field as they are led by Jared Goff under center, explosive running back Jahmyr Gibbs and superb wide out Amon-Ra St. Brown. They also have a last-place schedule to work with.
Backup quarterback position could be a major issue
If Drew Petzing is the right fit as he takes over the offensive coordinator position, the Lions should be able to light up the scoreboard once again. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t key issues.
One of those is at the QB2 position. Any team with strong championship aspirations has to employ an excellent backup quarterback, and the Lions may not measure up in that area.
The Lions brought back Teddy Bridgewater to backup Goff, and he clearly understands the Detroit offensive scheme. Bridgewater was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season after spending the two previous seasons with the Lions.
Bridgewater has 11 years experience in his career including two years as a starter with the Vikings in 2014 and ’15. Those were his first two seasons in the league and after a Pro Bowl appearance, it appeared that he was on his way to stardom. However, he suffered a brutal, non-contact knee injury that caused him to miss the 2016 season and he has never been the same player since.
Nevertheless, he has endured and found a way to build a career as a backup quarterback. But as he prepares for the 2026 season, Bridgewater has thrown just 15 passes in the last three seasons.
The 33-year-old has been getting by on guile for years and there’s little reason to think that he has anything else working for him at this point.
Bridgewater may struggle with velocity on out routes
It’s unlikely he can get away from even an average pass rush and arm strength has never been an asset. He will not be able to hide these things in training camp. The physical tools are not comparable to most other high-level quarterbacks.
Campbell may want to believe in Bridgewater, but his first-year offensive coordinator wants a quarterback who can step in and throw with velocity and decisiveness if he is called on in the late stages of a close game.
Vice President/General Manager Brad Holmes is likely to be looking for a backup quarterback throughout training camp. If Bridgewater’s performance is questionable this summer, it is unlikely he can survive and earn his spot as the backup to Goff. The Lions may have to move on from him and look elsewhere for a No. 2 quarterback.
Newcomer Lucky Jackson could get caught up in a numbers game at WR spot
The Lions are very confident in the skill level and toughness they have at the WR position. St. Brown is rarely mentioned when observers bring up the name of the NFL’s best wide receiver. However, St. Brown just may fill the bill. He deserves consideration after catching 117 passes for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He should come close to those numbers in 2026.
Jameson Williams may be the best No. 2 wideout in the league and he is coming off a season in which the speedster caught 65-1,117-7. No. 3 wideout Isaac TeSlaa has size (6-4 and 216) and toughness, and while he caught just 16 passes last year, 14 were for first downs and 6 were TD receptions.
In addition to that trio, the Lions have brought in Derick Wilson from the Dolphins and Greg Dortch from the Cardinals. That could make it very difficult for Lucky Jackson to stick with the team.
Jackson played briefly with the Vikings in 2023, but he played an important role for Louisville of the United Football League this season. He caught 32 passes for 392 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also has some special-team skills.
Jackson is a talented player, but he is likely to get caught up in the numbers game at the WR position unless he can make a big impression on teams.
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Related: NFL rumors: The ‘complex’ wrench thrown in Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs’ contract negotiations
Related: ESPN’s positional top 10 lists end with the Lions at top of the mountain
