Examining Detroit Lions Potential For Success in 2026
Examining if Detroit Lions have a realistic chance for success during 2026 NFL season.
Video Transcript
So now that you've seen the regime change a little bit.
Any increased hope with Jared Goff, a great offense, a head coach that seemingly has the respect of the players, is not a total buffoon, and can handle at least a part of being able to get the locker room to buy into something.
So, I do think that there's an interesting fact with Detroit in that they, they have a strategy, draft and develop their own guys, pay them, and extend the, the good players that contribute.
But the one thing is that you see from Super Bowl teams is they're willing to.
Do a little bit more in free agency.
The Seahawks added in free agency, the Eagles added in free agency, the Rams, when they won the Super Bowl, added at the trade deadline.
So, I just feel like the Lions are one step short of being willing to do everything it takes to win a Super Bowl, and it might be costly.
How are you viewing this whole situation with the team?
Because I'm starting, and, and I don't wanna set any alarm, I'm not an alarmist, but I'm feeling Ravens-Steelers with this regime as opposed to Rams, Seahawks, Eagles.
I'm sensing good team, 10 and 7 every year, get to the postseason and heartbreak.
That's how I'm sensing it right now because of what they're doing in all the other aspects besides the draft, and the draft hasn't been great for a little stretch from 23 to 25.
No, you're right about that.
I mean, listen, at the end of the day, and there's a couple of things, right?
Like you're absolutely right.
Detroit is waiting for a team, Lions, Pistons, Red Wings to take a big swing, to go out and, and, and really go for it.
And I, what was the last big swing that Detroit has taken?
Like, was it trading for Prince Fielder?
Does it go back that far?
Was it trading for Blake Griffin?
Did that even count?
So, so I agree with you there.
I, and I do think after a while, it gets nauseating, like, look at the Lions back in 2023.
Like everybody knew they needed an edge.
Everybody knew, and Brad decided not to do it, and then, of course , they end up losing to the edge that maybe they could have got in that NFC championship game.
So, I, I, I'm with you.
As far as this team is concerned, I don't really know what to think.
Like that offensive line last year was the reason that they didn't make the postseason.
Is that fair?
You're the Lions expert.
Is that fair?
Yes, exactly.
Now, now you're not gonna find a worse center than Graham Glasgow, right?
So I know Cade, I, I, I know Mays is hurt, and you'll figure out if it's gonna be Drew Scruggs or if it's gonna be the kid from Ohio State in McLaughlin, right?
With that all being said, I said on the radio the other day, Wojo was with me, I'm like, this, this line is in shambles.
And, and he got very offended by the word shambles, even though it means disarray, but he was totally fine with the word disarray.
Anyway, the point is, they gotta figure out that first, and I don't know if they wanna go Tate Ratledge there.
I know Dan said, hey, you know, we're not really gonna.
To use Tate Ratledge.
Instead, he's an emergency break glass type of deal.
But they gotta figure out the offensive line first and the chemistry first.
And if they do, then yes, that offense should be otherworldly because the skill positions are fine.
But then you go to the defense.
Do they have a secondary?
Answer that question.
Do they have somebody opposite of Aiden Hutchinson?
Uh to that question.
This is year 4, I feel, where Aiden's been a beast and nobody will dispute that.
However, can you get the man some help instead of doing the half measures?
Can we do the full measures?
And I know we all got intoxicated with the Miles Garrett's and the Max Crosby's out there, but it's funny because both got moved and then one kind of moved back.
But I'm with you.
I just don't think that's Brad though.
I think Brad, exactly what you said, he will draft, he will develop, and he will pay his own, and that's how he believes he will win.
I also think you're right.
I think the plan is to be good for a sustained period of time.
And by the way, that's a new thing for Lions fans, so that works, but in the hopes that during this sustained period of time, you'll run into a Super Bowl, right?
