Detroit Lions 2026 training camp preview: Adapting the LB room

In this installment of our Detroit Lions 2026 training camp preview series, we continue to explore the defensive side of the ball by examining the Lions’ linebackers, speculating on current and future roles, and discussing how many players from this group could make the 53-man roster.

Previous training camp previews:

• Quarterback: Can Luke Altmyer force a QB3 role?
• Running back: How RB roles could shift in 2026
• Wide receiver: WR depth roles up for grabs
• Tight end: How many TEs will make the roster?
• Offensive tackle: Can Blake Miller win the starting RT job?
• Interior OL: How quickly will Cade Mays adapt to scheme?
• Defensive tackles: DT has upgraded starters, questionable depth
• Edge rushers: 4 big questions at the EDGE

Roster construction

Under the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell regime, the Lions have heavily leaned on their linebacker group to contribute on special teams, which is why they tend to keep a larger number of linebackers than other teams. Six has previously been the magic number when speculating roster decisions.

Let’s take a look at what they’ve done at linebacker in the previous five seasons:

• 2021: Opened the season with five linebackers, using three on defense and two on special teams. Another special teamer was added mid-season, and they ended the year with six.
• 2022: The pattern of starting with five but ending with six was repeated.
• 2023: The Lions started the season with six this time around and finished with six once again.
• 2024: With the expansion of the SAM role, the Lions opened and closed the season with seven linebackers, while only keeping six active on most game days.
• 2025: The Lions opened with seven linebackers (while Trevor Nowaske was injured) but reduced to six in Week 3, where they stayed for the remainder of the season.

How a planned increase in nickel defense impacts the LB room

While the Lions have insisted that their core defensive principles are not changing in 2026, they have acknowledged there will be some tweaks, including utilizing more nickel sets. The Lions used more base sets (three linebackers on the field) than any team in the NFL in 2025, but a shift in personnel this offseason indicates that the Lions are indeed being truthful in planning on more subpackage sets (two or one linebacker).

Traditionally, the Lions have kept six linebackers on their roster, deploying three starters and keeping three primarily for special teams and specialized roles. As a result, the Lions enter training camp with 10-12 linebackers on their 90-man roster and allow them to compete for jobs; this season they’ll enter training camp with just eight.

In addition to entering training camp with two-thirds of the linebackers they normally do, there was a significant personnel change this offseason as well, as the Lions will be adjusting to the loss of starter Alex Anzalone, who departed for the Buccaneers in free agency. Anzalone was a captain...