NFL offseason power rankings: No. 6 Detroit Lions need to prove that the Super Bowl window remains open — Yahoo Sports

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

Dan Campbell wasn't happy with the Detroit Lions' 2025-26 season, nor should he have been.

He said the Lions underachieved. That's hard to argue after a 9-8 record and no playoff berth. He gave himself "a freaking F" for the job he did last season.

"But I really don't believe we're that far off," Campbell said. "There's a couple of things we can do, and I just want to make sure we go after it. I'm not saying we weren't hungry, but let's get that hunger back, and we're going to bring in some guys to compete."

After a season like the Lions just had, nobody wants to hear how they were actually better than their disappointing record. But they were.

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The Lions were third in DVOA and were one of two teams in the top 10 in offense, defense and special teams. The other was the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. The Lions were done in by a 2-5 record in games decided by seven points or fewer, and perhaps they were unaccustomed to being one of the NFL's targets and getting every opponent's best shot. (It's not like the Lions are used to being front-runners.) That's why Campbell talked about getting the hunger back.

The fear for the Lions is that a rough collapse in the NFC championship game against the 49ers three seasons ago and a 15-2 season that led to a one-and-done playoff exit the following year would be the extent of their Super Bowl window. We'll find out this season.

The talent is still strong. Not many teams have more top-end superstars on the roster. Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jack Campbell and Aidan Hutchinson are among the best at their positions in the NFL, and other stars such as Jared Goff, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch filled out the core of a 15-win team two seasons ago. Everything Dan Campbell said after last season was true. It was an underachieving season, but the Lions really don't feel far off.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) lead a talented team looking to make up for a disappointing season. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images

Last season brought plenty of adversity. The Lions didn't adjust well to the losses of coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. Losing Johnson particularly hurt, and the team replaced last season's coordinator John Morton with former Cardinals coordinator Drew Petzing. There were also injuries to overcome. Center Frank Ragnow's surprise retirement after seven seasons ended up being a huge blow.

And maybe the Lions needed a season like that. They're back to being a bit of an underdog, a role Campbell seems to enjoy. They do so with a roster that has as many blue-chip players as any and a fourth-place schedule that is now projected to be the easiest in the NFL, via Sharp Football Analytics.

One down season shouldn't knock the Lions off the tier of Super Bowl contenders. But they'll need to prove that last season was an aberration.

Offseason grade

The biggest move of the Lions' offseason wasn't a pleasant one. Cornerback Terrion Arnold, a 2024 first-round pick, was cut after being charged with multiple felonies stemming from an alleged robbery and kidnapping that happened in February. That was an unexpected loss, and it leaves the Lions thin at cornerback.

Arnold wasn't the only loss. The team traded David Montgomery, a big part of the Lions' two-headed attack at running back, and replaced him with Isiah Pacheco. That's a downgrade, though the Lions saved money and got some valuable picks from the Texans for Montgomery. Linebacker Alex Anzalone, cornerback Amik Robertson, run-stopping defensive tackle D.J. Reader and fellow defensive linemen Roy Lopez and Al-Quadin Muhammad also left in free agency.

The Lions worked on the offensive line in the offseason, signing center Cade Mays and tackle Larry Borom and getting Juice Scruggs in the Montgomery trade while using their first-round pick on tackle Blake Miller. With longtime left tackle Taylor Decker cut, Miller is expected to step in at right tackle, with Penei Sewell moving to left tackle. It's a risky plan, but at least the Lions addressed the situation. They're hoping some cheaper help on defense — cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, edge D.J. Wonnum and edge Derrick Moore — help offset some of the losses on that side of the ball. We could look back at the offseason and realize the Lions should've been focused more on their defense. The stunning loss of Arnold might exacerbate those issues.

Grade: C-

Quarterback report

Jared Goff will be on his third coordinator in three seasons. Ben Johnson was a star play-caller, and the Lions moved on from John Morton after a lackluster season. In comes Drew Petzing, who was previously the Cardinals' coordinator. Petzing guided three Cardinals offenses, and none finished higher than 11th in total yards, but he had nowhere near the personnel that he'll have in Detroit. Still, it's a gamble by Dan Campbell that Petzing's lack of results were due to the players he was working with and a better roster will make a big difference.

Goff still put up good numbers despite Campbell having to take over calling plays in the middle of the season. He had 4,564 yards and 34 touchdowns, which wasn't far off his 2024 marks. If Goff vibes well with Petzing, there's no reason he can't again be one of the most productive quarterback...

NFL offseason power rankings: No. 6 Detroit Lions need to prove that the Super Bowl window remains open — Yahoo Sports | AIPROPX