Lions OTA and minicamp takeaways: Terrion Arnold must earn starting job, Giovanni Manu's time running out, and Drew Petzing's explosive offense takes shape
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Lions OTA and minicamp takeaways: Terrion Arnold must earn starting job, Giovanni Manu's time running out, and Drew Petzing's explosive offense takes shape
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, left, talks to quarterback Jared Goff during OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Mike Payton·AtoZ Sports
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5 min read
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Detroit LionsOTAs and minicamp revealed more than expected. A former first-round pick is fighting for his job, a major roster experiment may be ending, and Drew Petzing's vision for the offense is starting to emerge.
The Detroit Lions wrapped up OTAs and mandatory minicamp with several storylines worth tracking before training camp opens in roughly six weeks. From quarterback Luke Altmyer's promising spring toTerrion Arnold's demotion to the second team, the Lions' offseason program revealed a roster with real competition at multiple positions and an offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing who wants to push the ball downfield.
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Let's break it down.
Luke Altmyer looked like a roster candidate
Altmyer, the Lions' new potential third-string quarterback, looked confident throughout the spring. He appeared to grasp everything Petzing was showing him, and he carried himself like someone who could make the 53-man roster. The ceiling here is probably Detroit carrying three quarterbacks instead of two. I don't think Altmyer can beat outTeddy Bridgewaterthis year, and some of theBrock Purdycomparisons floating around feel premature. We're talking about a period with no pads, no real pass rush, and no live blocking. It's mostly walkthrough-level work. But the confidence goes a long way. We'll see what happens when the pads come on and when he plays in the preseason.
Right now, it looks like Lacy is going to be someone the Lions utilize more than you might think. I'm not saying he's going to start or play a ton of snaps, but he has a real shot to beat outLevi Onwuzurikeand make the roster. He can play that big end role, set the edge against the run, and also kick inside. The Lions still need nose tackle help, and the cupboard is bare beyondAlim McNeilland Mehki Wingo. You have Skyler Gill-Howard as a rookie and then a collection of guys we simply don't know enough about yet. Lacy getting reps in prominent spots during the spring was noteworthy.
Both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch sat out OTAs and minicamp, but the feeling coming out of the spring is that the Lions have a chance to have both safeties available for Week 1 of the 2026 season. Joseph appears to be saving himself for training camp. Branch's situation requires more patience, but people need to understand the context around Dan Campbell's "December" comment. He was joking. The entire press room was laughing. An actual December return would represent one of the longest Achilles recoveries in NFL history, and there's a chance Branch could be back as early as September, depending on the severity of the tear and the type of surgery he received. When asked directly whether Branch could be at training camp, Campbell did not say no. He said it could possibly happen. You came away from the spring feeling better about the health picture at the two most important safety spots on the roster.
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Terrion Arnold has to earn his job back
Arnold was moved to the second team during OTAs and minicamp. Campbell cautioned at the start of the spring not to read too much into depth chart positioning during this period, but he also said at the end of minicamp that Arnold would have to earn his job. He needs to stay healthy, clean up the penalty issues, and improve in coverage. Looking at the competition, I don't think Arnold will have much trouble.Rock Ya-Sinwill push him, but I believe Arnold can win the job. Still, it says a lot that a player the Lions picked in the first round just two years ago now has to prove himself all over again. Detroit is not going to be held hostage to draft capital. They want someone who looks like a first-round cornerback, and there have been too many times when Arnold hasn't.
It's looking like Manu probably won't be with the Lions in 2026. Detroit appears to have given up on him as a tackle and is trying him at guard, but that room is packed withBen Bartch,Miles Frazier,Christian Mahogany,Juice Scruggs, andMichael Niese. I don't know how Manu wins a spot there. He'd need the greatest summer of all time just to make the roster. It reminds you of theJames Houstonsituation, where the Lions tried everything before finally cutting bait. This spring suggested the experiment is nearing its end.
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Drew Petzing wants an explosive offense
Petzing andJared Goffappear to have formed a strong bond, andMike Kafkais playing a significant role in installing new concepts. The Lions want to throw the ball deep.Jahmyr Gibbsis going to be the bell cow, but this offense wants to be more versatile and more explosive than what we saw last season. That was the single biggest takeaway from minicamp. We haven't seen anyone in pads yet, so there's plenty we don't know. But the early returns from Petzing's installation should make Lions fans feel good about the direction.
