Pride of Detroit
Biggest takeaways from the linebacker media sessions at the 2025 NFL Combine.
While linebacker may not seem like an immediate need for the Detroit Lions, it could certainly be argued as one of their bigger long-term needs. Only Jack Campbell is signed beyond the 2026 season, so don’t be surprised if Detroit is in the market for another young, long-term piece who could replace either Alex Anzalone or Derrick Barnes.
On Wednesday, some of the top linebackers this draft has to offer talked at the 2025 NFL Combine. I followed four particular players. Here’s the notable comments from all four, and my general thoughts on each player.
Previously: DL media recap
I hadn’t planned on talking to Lindenberg, but I had some free time in between targets to sit through the majority of his session. He did have an informal meeting with the Lions this week, and what stuck out to me was the detail and preparation he took into each week.
“For me, it all starts in the film room,” Lindenberg said. ”That’s where I get myself comfortable and ready to go. It starts Sunday right after the game. You watch film on the game you just played, and then it starts for the next week. Running through specifics of what the offense likes. Mondays are typically an off day, no practice. That’s another big film day, you’re in there for a long time. Tuesday would be first, second-down runs for me. Wednesday, you get into third downs, second-and-pass, red zone, short-yardage and goal line. Thursday night we do a player-run meeting, watching film and making sure we have things tightened down.”
Schwesinger gets my ultimate respect for shutting down the “did you meet with ___” questions by answering each with, “I’ve had meetings with lots of teams.”
If you’re unfamiliar, Schwesinger’s story is fascinating, climbing from a walk-on special teamer at UCLA to a First Team All-American in his only season as a starter last year. I asked him how a year of just being a four-core special teamer helped him grow as a football player.
“I value special teams. I think that’s something I don’t take for granted, because it really propelled me into more opportunities,” Schwesinger. “But like you said, special teams I think is one of the sometimes overlooked aspects of football. It’s one of the most important—we used to say you know it’s one play but it’s going to change it could change the outcome of the game regardless of the phase or plan so regardless of how you play.”
While significantly undersized (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), I do think he may appeal to the Lions due to his relentless energy.
“I believe that when you turn on the tape, there’s really never a play where I’m not going 100%,” Schwesinger said. “You might lose one rep here or there, and you learn from it after film, but my goal is to really, whether I...
