The Detroit Lions have many questions to answer next offseason.
Though a majority of their core and Pro Bowl-caliber players will return, there remain multiple starting positions that could be reshuffled in 2026. For one, the Lions might look for upgrades at positions that were below standards. The Lions will also face some pending free agents whose 2026 destination could shake up how the depth chart plays out. There is also the question of retirements, as some of the long-standing veterans might hang up their cleats.
How much different will the starting lineup look in 2026 compared to the disappointing 2025 campaign?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
How many starting positions are up for grabs in 2026?
My answer: Seven.
On offense, we could see a significant shakeup along the offensive line. Technically, no starting position is locked in. Penei Sewell and Tate Ratledge should be unquestioned starters next season, but their position is up in the air. Sewell could start at either left tackle or right tackle, his side being determined by the status of Taylor Decker and/or whatever tackles they bring in via free agency or the draft—I am leaning towards Decker retiring, but time will tell. As for Ratledge, he could factor into the conversation at center if no bonafide starter is acquired. If one is, he could return to right guard, but there is also a non-zero chance of him playing left guard. Christian Mahogany had a disappointing second season, and while he is likely penciled in as a starter, a significant offseason move (such as a reunion with Kevin Zeitler) could send him to the bench. Similarly, the Lions like Miles Frazier, and he could win a spot with a good training camp. In summary, I see three offensive line spots up for grabs.
Elsewhere on offense, I think the Lions are fairly locked in. Jared Goff is safe as the starting quarterback, as is Jahmyr Gibbs at running back (though David Montgomery’s RB2 role might get overhauled). Sam LaPorta is likely to return from his back injury by training camp. The trio of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa will almost certainly maintain their starting roles in 2026—in theory, TeSlaa could get pushed down the depth chart by a significant signing, but I would be surprised if that happens.
The defense is a complicated situation. For one, the definition of a “starting” role is less clear given how often modern defenses rotate players in and out. To simplify things, I would categorize the Lions as having the following starting positions on defense: two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, three linebackers, three cornerbacks (two outside, one in the slot), and two safeties. In principal, it is impossible for Lions to start each of those positions (you can only play 11 players, after all), but in practice, those are the Lions’ most significant roles on defense and thus what I would consider a starter.
The following players are locked in as starters next season: Aidan Hutchinson (DE), Alim McNeill (DT), Jack Campbell (LB), Derrick Barnes (LB), D.J. Reed (CB), Terrion Arnold (CB), Brian Branch (S), and Kerby Joseph (S). Though there is a health question surrounding Branch and Joseph, they are unquestioned starters when active. For that reason, I would not consider their starting spots up for grabs, though I would also argue that a starting-caliber safety is needed to supplement them.
Along the defensive line, the Lions need another defensive end to pair with Hutchinson, given that the best in-house candidate (Al-Quadin Muhammad) slated to hit free agency. The expectation in the Lions community is that DJ Reader will leave in free agency, and while Tyleik Williams seems primed to take over that role, I would not put his name in stone yet (especially if Roy Lopez returns).
At linebacker, the Lions are in an interesting position. They have used three linebacker sets at a high rate, but they have two key players entering free agency in Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez. If Anzalone returns, I think he would safely resume his starting role, but that is a big if given cost and age. As for Rodriguez, he has historically played well as a spot starter, but it would be bold of the Lions to make him an unchallenged starter. There is also a chance that the Lions alter Barnes’ role to play more of Anzalone’s WILL linebacker role, rotating him into the SAM role on passing downs. In theory, there should be an opening at linebacker, but if the Lions do not address the position in free agency, it could be telling of a shift to a more common two-linebacker scheme.
The only secondary starting spot that I see as up for grabs is at nickel corner, purely due to the free agent status of Amik Robertson. If Detroit lets Robertson walk, any number of names could challenge for a cornerback role, be it free agent Rock Ya-Sin, oft-injured Ennis Rakestraw, or someone else. If he is re-signed, I think that the trio of Reed, Arnold, and Robertson will almost certainly be the starting cornerbacks—yes, the group struggled in 2025, but I would be surprised to see one of them relegated to a backup role.
The special teams discussion will be brief, as I doubt that Jack Fox or Hogan Hatten will be displaced. Though I would support bringing in competition at kicker, the Green Bay Packers learned the hard way that good kicking is hard to find. The Lions could do a lot worse than Jake Bates, so he should be the starter barring a horrific training camp.
In conclusion, I think that there are seven open starting spots in 2026: offensive tackle, guard, center, defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, and cornerback. Do you agree with my assessment, or are there a few more starting roles up for grabs? Let us know in the comments below.
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