ClutchPoints
The Detroit Lions are no longer the NFL’s lovable underdog. They’ve become one of the league’s most formidable franchises, having transformed years of heartbreak into sustained success. Coming off a 15-2 season that restored pride to Detroit and ignited belief across the fan base, expectations are now at a historic high. Yet, they’ve seen coaching turnover, roster changes, and a difficult schedule looming. As such, the 2025 Lions enter the season carrying both the weight of promise and the threat of regression. That blend of talent and uncertainty makes them one of the most fascinating teams to watch this fall.
The Lions’ 2025 preseason is nearing its end, with roster cuts updated as of August 26 signaling the final stretch of decisions. The team opened its slate with the Hall of Fame Game earlier this month and has finished its exhibition schedule. Detroit went 1-3 in preseason. They lost to the Chargers, Dolphins, and Texans, while notching their lone win against the Falcons. Still, oddsmakers remain bullish on the Lions’ outlook, pegging them as NFC North favorites with one of the conference’s highest projected win totals.
On the flip side, this year feels like a turning point. The Lions lost both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. That creates uncertainty on the sidelines. They also saw the interior of their offensive line take a hit with the retirement of longtime center Frank Ragnow and the departure of veteran guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency. That leaves rookie play-callers in key roles. Kelvin Sheppard will handle defensive play-calling for the first time, while John Morton returns to an offensive coordinator role he hasn’t held since 2017. Combine those changes with more outdoor games on the schedule, and the Lions face a steeper climb to replicate last season’s 15-2 record. Among playoff teams, Detroit may be the most vulnerable to regression despite its talent.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the three bold predictions for the Detroit Lions in the 2025 NFL season.
Walking things back feels inevitable after the Lions’ meteoric 15-win campaign in 2024. Losing Johnson and Glenn removes two architects of their success. Replicating that kind of dominance with new play-callers will be no small feat, and the Lions’ schedule is hardly forgiving. With seven road games against playoff teams from a year ago, Detroit is unlikely to match its lofty win total.
Of course, context is important. Regression to, say, 12 wins isn’t exactly a collapse. It’s a reflection of the high bar the Lions themselves set. This remains an immensely talented roster, with Aidan Hutchinson anchoring the defense and an offensive arsenal featuring Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta. The offensive line will look younger, too, with Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge stepping in at guard. That said, their development will be critical to sustaining offensive balance. Even if the Lions don’t match last season’s record,...
