A page has officially been turned, and the Detroit Lions are right back on the saddle ahead of the 2026 NFL season. An international game awaits them this coming year, and hopefully, some meaningful football to be played in January and February, as well.
First, the team has to address their several roster holes that dropped them from formidable to just "okay" in 2025.
Their offensive line is a major one, along with patching up their pass rush and adding a few more safeties to the mix given the injury woes for Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. If you watched the Super Bowl, then you know how key all three of these elements were to the Seattle Seahawks' win.
And, if you really watched the Super Bowl, there were a few players that likely stood out as potentially perfect candidates for Detroit to target in free agency to help out at this positions of need.
4 perfect free agent targets for Lions from Super Bowl 60
EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson
Projected earnings: 3 years, $26.8 million (per Spotrac)
The New England Patriots' pass rush, and specifically their interior defensive line, is what made them hard to beat in the AFC this past year. While it didn't get the job done in Super Bowl 60, the defense is what made the contest at least winnable all the way into the fourth quarter. At that point, they were likely gassed, especially with next to no help from the offense.
Chaisson specifically stood out throughout the postseason and in the Super Bowl, finishing up with one quarterback hit and a tackle for loss. He was putting a good amount of pressure on Sam Darnold in the pocket, but it just wasn't enough.
He ended his 2025 campaign with 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two passes defended, and six stuffs. He'd be an excellent target for the Lions with Al-Quadin Muhammad potentially walking this offseason, and with Alex Anzalone potentially following suit.
CB Josh Jobe
Projected earnings: 3 years, $29.2 million
Jobe had some spicier moments during Super Bowl 60, getting under Stefon Diggs' skin with a skirmish that resulted in a surprisingly un-punished punch thrown by Jobe. Aside from that, the entire Seahawks secondary was smothering New England's receivers on the night, making it difficult for Drake Maye to establish any sort of rhythm.
With seven tackles and one pass defended, he definitely stood out on Seattle's defense. Detroit's secondary looks pretty set between Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed as starters, but a little Ennis Rakestraw insurance wouldn't hurt.
S Jaylinn Hawkins
Projected earnings: 3 years, $24.8 million
Hawkins wasn't exactly a standout from the Super Bowl, but from his entire year with the Patriots. The 28-year-old safety was one of their better pass defenders this season, breaking up six and recording four picks, as well. He also had a forced fumble and 45 solo tackles. Detroit desperately needs healthy depth at safety, and Hawkins played in 81.9 percent of snaps for New England.