The 2025 season is officially in the books.
It was a season of growing pains and lessons, lessons from which the Detroit Lions will hopefully learn from as they restock for the 2026 season. The Lions have some soul searching to do in order to recapture their success of 2023 and 2024. Whether that means some slight tinkering or a vast overhaul is still unknown, but what is known is that the Lions have a lot of needs entering the offseason.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
What should be the Detroit Lions’ top offseason priority?
My answer: Offensive tackle.
There is no shortage of positions to address this offseason. The Lions need an answer at center, whether that is Tate Ratledge or someone new. They need a pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson, even if Ahmed Hassanein becomes a factor in 2026. They need cornerback reinforcements due to multiple pending free agents. Safety is a big question mark given the health of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. They need linebacking depth given that Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez, Grant Stuard, and Zach Cunningham are each on an expiring contract. They need a backup quarterback, either a known commodity or someone to develop. Tight end depth is needed to supplement Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
To me, the two greatest needs for the Lions are an offensive coordinator and a left tackle. Both are fundamental to the success of a Lions team that survives and thrives on their offense. However, given the uncertainty surrounding the future of left tackle Taylor Decker, I think that his potential retirement becomes the most glaring need to address.
The obvious solution is to move Penei Sewell to left tackle, but that only changes the position of need, not the need itself. Regardless of where Sewell lines up, the Lions will need someone across from him. Giovanni Manu has not grown into a starting-caliber tackle. Nobody on the roster has elevated themselves above the level of fringe backup. The fact remains that if the Lions lose Decker this offseason, they have no in-house solution beyond a developmental prospect that has not developed.
With a barren cupboard, the Lions will need to address it either via free agency or the draft—or perhaps a trade if Brad Holmes is bold enough. For a team already facing a lot of expensive contracts, both current and upcoming, they might not be able to spend on a top free agent tackle like Braden Smith (Indianapolis Colts) or Rasheed Walker (Green Bay Packers). The Jacksonville Jaguars recently re-signed lineman Cole Van Lanen to a three-year, $51 million contract extension. If the Lions want a trusted starting tackle, it won’t be cheap.
Drafting a tackle, especially in the first round, seems like a likely avenue for Detroit to explore, but it is also worth remembering that being a starting-caliber prospect and a starting-caliber player are two different things. Would the Lions feel comfortable in an offensive line potentially featuring a rookie tackle, 25-year-old Christian Mahogany, 24-year-old Tate Ratledge, and 24-year-old Miles Frazier? That’s a lot of youth and inexperience up front.
The Lions have a tough situation ahead of them, but I think the offensive tackle situation is one to closely monitor.
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