With training camp and three preseason games in the books, we're starting to get a clear picture of what the 2026 Detroit Lions will look like, for better and for worse.
Let's focus on the good, here.
The Lions finished 2-1 in the preseason, after a victory against the Indianapolis Colts. We got to see rookies like tackle Blake Miller and defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard make an impact, along with second-year EDGE Ahmed Hassanein. We got our first taste of Drew Petzing's offense. Above all else, the Lions escape without an expected starter getting seriously injured.
For those still worried about this year's Lions, given numerous issues with the team last year, there are encouraging signs that this year's team is definitely different.
The rushing attack looked great without Gibbs
This offseason, the Lions made running back Jahmyr Gibbs the highest-paid at his position. Deservedly so. Gibbs has never been the question with the Lions' run game, rather, how they'll handle life without David Montgomery.
The results have been promising, and that's with free agent signee Isiah Pacheco not playing. The Lions rushed for over 100 yards in each of the three preseason games, averaging 161.33 yards per game.
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Leading the way was Jacob Saylors and Trayveon Williams. Saylors' stock continues to surge after rushing for 187 yards on 31 carries for an average of 6.03 yards per carry. Williams, who was signed after the first preseason game, punched-in three short-yard touchdown rushes to go along with his 93 total yards in two games. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs even had a 55-yard TD rush, himself.
This isn't just about the running backs. It's also testament to the team's run-blocking. Everyone is worried about their teams' offensive line depth, and the Lions' O-line been far from perfect. But seeing a consistently good performance out of the run-game does provide comfort going forward.
The offense converted third and fourth downs
There was a laundry list of issues with how the offense was run last season. One of the easiest stats to point to was third and fourth down conversion. Last season, the Lions converted 38.8% of their third downs (47.6% in 2024) and 58.1% on fourth down (66.7% in 2024).
With John Morton out and Petzing in, the Lions are converting third and fourth downs at an impressive rate. The Lions converted 26-47 on third down (55.3%) and 4-5 on fourth down (80%). Take away the first preseason game, and the Lions went 22-36 (61.1%) on third down and 4-4 (100%) on fourth down.
It is tough to evaluate Petzing's play-calling performance, given starters barely saw the field. Yet, so far so good for his situational play-calling. The Lions leaned more on the pass on third and fourth downs, with a roughly 60% conversion rate. The run-game was even better, scoring three TDs on third downs, including two goaline situations.
And not for nothing, the defense is handling those situations better as well, allowing 12-40 (30%) on third down (36.9% in 2025) and 2-6 (33.3%) on fourth down (65.6% in 2025).
The defense kept teams out of the endzone
Aside from the O-line, the biggest worry entering 2026 was the Lions' defense. Preseason may not be the best predictor for how well a defense will play, but this year's squad was one of the toughest to score on.
Across three games, the Lions defense allowed just two TDs -- only one more than the offense gave up, thanks to the Dobbs fumble six against Washington. In total, the Lions averaged 15 points allowed, with no team scoring more than 16 on them.
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The defensive line was especially phenomenal, and easily the highlight of this preseason. The secondary is still a cause for concern, but the bend-don't-break defense stalled opposing teams, holding them to eight field goals.
This is noteworthy because the Lions have one of the most talented offenses in the league. They can already go score-for-score with just about anyone. If this trend isn't a mirage, and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard really evolved his coaching, that offense could be complimented by one of the best defenses the Lions have had in the Dan Campbell era.
Again, it is the preseason, but the Lions have given fans reasons to be excited entering the 2026 season, which kicks off at home against the New Orleans Saints on September 13.
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