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DET

NFC North

Detroit Lions

0-0Power Rank#120

AI Summary

The Lions enter 2026 looking to bounce back after a 9-8 finish last season that dropped them to last place in the NFC North on a tiebreaker despite a 7-4 start. Detroit shook up its offensive staff, promoting Drew Petzing to offensive coordinator after moving on from John Morton, while Kelvin Sheppard returns to run a defense anchored by 2025 All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson, who looks fully recovered from his 2024 broken leg after a 14.5-sack season. Star RB Jahmyr Gibbs ended a training-camp hold-in by signing a three-year, $67.5 million extension, making him the NFL's highest-paid running back by average annual value. ESPN's Football Power Index ranks Detroit 8th overall and favors the Lions to win a wide-open NFC North, though camp has been marred by injuries to both starting safeties.

Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026

Key Storylines

  • New OC Drew Petzing takes over Detroit's offense after the team moved on from John Morton this offseason
  • RB Jahmyr Gibbs ended his camp hold-in by signing a 3-year, $67.5M extension, becoming the NFL's highest-paid RB by AAV
  • Starting safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles) both opened training camp on the PUP list
  • Aidan Hutchinson enters 2026 healthy and confident after a 14.5-sack, All-Pro season following his 2024 broken-leg injury
  • Detroit finished last in the NFC North in 2025 despite a 9-8 record, but enters 2026 as ESPN FPI's division favorite with a projected top-10 roster

Injury Report

  • Kerby Joseph · S

    PUP

    Opened training camp on the PUP list with a knee injury that limited him to six games in 2025.

  • Brian Branch · S

    PUP

    Recovering from a season-ending Achilles tear suffered in Week 14 of 2025; no setbacks reported, could return late in camp or early September.

  • Tyler Conklin · TE

    PUP

    Opened camp on the PUP list with a calf injury.

  • Cade Mays · C

    Out

    Fractured his wrist during camp practice and is expected to miss significant time.

  • Anthony Firkser · TE

    Out (season-ending)

    Suffered a broken fibula in camp; Lions re-signed Zach Horton to help fill the depth void.

  • Jimmy Rolder · LB

    Out

    Rookie linebacker suffered a hamstring injury in camp after an impressive spring.