Our 2025 Detroit Lions recap and 2026 offseason preview moves to the defensive side of the ball. With the change at offensive coordinator already this offseason, the defensive side of the ball has been a little ignored thus far. But don’t get it twisted, there’s still a lot of work to do on that side of the ball, and it starts—yet again—with the edge position.
Previously:
Lions 2025 recap: Defensive end
- Aidan Hutchinson stats (17 games, 17 starts): 54 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 1 INT, 4 FF
- 91.9 PFF grade — 4th out of 119 qualifying EDGEs
- 92.2 pass rush grade — 4th
- 70.6 run defense grade — 28th
- Al-Quadin Muhammad stats (16 games, 9 starts): 25 tackles, 11.0 sacks
- 74.2 PFF grade — 30th
- 71.9 pass rush grade — 32nd
- 59.3 run defense grade — DNQ (only 83 snaps)
- Marcus Davenport stats (8 games, 3 starts): 14 tackles, 1.0 sack
- 52.4 PFF grade — 103rd
- 55.8 pass rush grade — 102nd
- 51.9 run defense grade — 99th
- Tyler Lacy stats (10 games, 4 starts): 21 tackles, 1.0 sack
- 58.5 PFF grade — DNQ
- 51.3 pass rush grade
- 65.2 run defense grade
Let’s start with the good news. Aidan Hutchinson was back from his injury and didn’t miss a step. While there were pockets when he’d disappear for stretches, the entirety of his year was still borderline elite. Despite facing the fourth-highest rate of chips among all defensive linemen, Hutchinson finished the season with the most pressures, both according to PFF and NFL Pro. His 14.5 sacks ranked fourth in the NFL, and his four forced fumbles were tied for second-most. No surprise he’s nominated for two post-season NFL Awards: Defensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.
Al-Quadin Muhammad also had a career year as a pass rusher. The veteran pass rusher came into the season with just 15.0 sacks in his seven-year career. He managed to hit 11.0 sacks in 2025, an impressive total considering he played just 457 snaps. By comparison, Hutchinson played 1,005 snaps. However, the Lions predominantly used him as a pass rusher, as he logged just 83 snaps on running plays.
Instead, the Lions spent much of the season searching for an early-down edge defender they could trust opposite Hutchinson. With Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal out for the season and Marcus Davenport again missing time to injury—and not looking great when he returned—Detroit turned to Tyler Lacy early and often. While he can set an edge decently and is above average in the run game, he provided very little pass rush. In 113 pass rush snaps, he produced just six total pressures, per PFF.
As a team, the Lions did have a lot of sacks (49, t-fourth) and pressures (234, sixth), but that can be attributed at least partially due to their coverage, which forced quarterbacks to hold onto the ball longer. Per NFL Pro, quarterbacks took the fourth-longest to throw against the Lions (2.92), and Detroit’s pressure took the third-longest to get there (2.86 seconds).
2026 for outlook
- Aidan Hutchinson (2030)
- Josh Paschal (2026)
- Tyler Lacy (2026)
- Ahmed Hassanein (2026)
Pending free agents:
- Marcus Davenport (unrestricted)
- Al-Quadin Muhammad (unrestricted)
- Tyrus Wheat (restricted)
- Pat O’Connor (street free agent, can sign anywhere now)
Note: I’ll talk more about Onwuzurike in the defensive tackle article, even though he will likely get looks at EDGE.
The Lions are left with Hutchinson in the cabinet and not much else. Paschal saw his contract toll for another year in Detroit, but given his lack of production in his four rookie contract years, he should not be considered a guarantee to make the roster. Lacy could stick around as a rotational player, and Hassanein will essentially be entering 2026 as rookie season 2.0 after missing most of 2025. Any production outside Hutchinson should be considered minimal for the group they currently have.
Muhammad should be considered one of Detroit’s bigger re-signing priorities, but it’s hard to know what the market will be for a 31-year-old defensive end who just produced his first season with more than 6.0 sacks in Year 8 of his career. Even if they agree to a reasonable contract with Muhammad, they would still be in the market for a three-down player that can provide pass rush while staying disciplined in the run game.
I believe the ship has likely sailed on Davenport after two attempts at a career revival, so it’s time for the Lions to get serious about adding a starting edge. Detroit could go the all-in route of trading for Maxx Crosby or signing Trey Hendrickson or Jaelan Phillips, but those moves will severely impact their ability to manage the salary cap, and in the case of Crosby, it would deplete valuable draft resources, as well. A move like that has a chance to transform the entire defense, though, so I get the temptation.
Free agency also offers some second-tier players, who will come cheaper but may not be the massive fix Lions fans are looking for—players like A.J. Epenesa, Dante Fowler, or Derek Barnett.
The Lions will need to add at least a player or two in free agency, but the NFL Draft likely provides a better, cheaper, and longer solution to the problem. As early as the first round, the Lions could be interested in players like Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Miami’s Akheem Mesidor, Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Missouri’s Zion Young, or my early favorite Illinois Gabe Jacas.
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