The Indianapolis Colts shocked the world this past week by signing former quarterback Philip Rivers to their practice squad after a devastating ACL injury to starter Daniel Jones.
Rivers, who is a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist, hasn't played football since 2020, after leading the Colts to their most recent playoff appearance. The 8-5 Colts hope that Rivers can provide enough of a spark to salvage their crumbling season, where tanking is not an option after trading their top picks to the New York Jets for now-injured cornerback Sauce Gardner.
The also 8-5 Detroit Lions are also trying to salvage their own disappointing season and get back into serious Super Bowl contention in 2026. As general manager, Brad Holmes meticulously mulls over his options in the draft and free agency, Rivers' return adds a fun wrinkle in offseason speculation. Which Lions legends would be fun to see suit up in the Honolulu Blue for one last run?
Former Lions we'd love to see try to bring Detroit a Lombardi
1. C Frank Ragnow
This one stings, as center Frank Ragnow already teased fans with a midseason return months after retiring at the young age of 29. The Lions and their fanbase celebrated the Thanksgiving Eve news of Ragnow's return, given poor OL play this season and the injury to G Christian Mahogany. Ragnow was said to still be in football shape and might've been able to play on the following Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys.
That dream quickly turned into a nightmare after the Lions' loss on Thanksgiving was followed by news of Ragnow suffering a Grade 3 hamstring tear, ending his comeback attempt. For now. This week, OL coach Hank Fraley was asked about Ragnow's return attempt, and while he did know Ragnow's plans for 2026, he said, "If he wanted to be back, that door's open."
No matter how the 2025 season ends, the Lions will need an upgrade at center. As the team waits for rookie guard Tate Ratledge to grow into that role as intended, the Lions' best option would likely be bringing back the three-time Second-Team All-Pro Ragnow, who was considered one of the league's best at the time of retirement.
2. CB Darius Slay
Full disclosure, CB Darius Slay isn't even retired. At least not yet. That retirement could come at any moment, though. Slay most recently played this season with the Pittsburgh Steelers before entering the waiver wire, where he was picked up by the Buffalo Bills. Slay, who previously expressed a desire to retire with the Lions or Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the other Pennsylvania team, has refused to play for the Bills.
Slay, 34, is currently on the reserve/did not report list as he mulls retirement. Slay played ten games for the Steelers, starting nine of them, where he had three passes defended and one fumble recovery. Pro Football Focus has Slay graded at 58.3, good for 69th out of 109 CBs. That grade would at least be higher than Terrion Arnold's 52.6.
"Big Play Slay" is definitely on the last legs of his career that saw him collect a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2017 with the Lions, when he co-led the league in interceptions. Three of Slay's six Pro Bowl nods were also with the Lions. His other three Pro Bowl nods came with the Eagles, who he won a Super Bowl with last season.
The Lions are in need of added veteran help at CB, amid shaky play and injuries. Bringing back Slay, even right now, could give the Lions a slight boost in the final weeks and also provide some veteran mentorship for young corners like Arnold.
3. DT Ndamukong Suh
One of the most controversial Lions of all time is one of the franchise's best players in the 21st century. DT Ndamukong Suh was an absolute menace on the Lions' defensive line in more ways than one. He wrecked offensive lines, amassing 71.5 sacks in his career. For the Lions, Suh won Defensive Rookie of the Year and compiled three First-Team All-Pro and one Second-Team All-Pro selections.
Suh, 38, is best known for his numerous decisions that vilified him among NFL fans, including many in Detroit. Suh built up a reputation for being a dirty player with plays such as Thanksgiving 2011, where he drove Green Bay Packers' offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith's head into the ground numerous times before stomping on his arm.
Suh was ejected from that game. Suh also refused to take a hometown discount, leaving Detroit for the high-bidding Miami Dolphins, where he picked up his final Second-Team All-Pro selection.
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In the latter years of his career, Suh did well to repair his dirty reputation, becoming a key piece in three Super Bowl appearances in five seasons with three different franchises, winning Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Suh was a member of the Super Bowl LIII-losing Los Angeles Rams, led by current Lions' QB Jared Goff.
The Lions are currently stacked in the interior of the DL with players like D.J. Reader, Alim McNeill, and rookie Tyleik Williams. Adding a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team and a potential Hall of Famer can't hurt to have in the rotation, so long as the hurt he's dishing out is clean.
4. QB Shaun Hill
Okay, calling QB Shaun Hill a "legend" might be a stretch. However, given Rivers' return, it'd be a shame to ignore the QBs of the Lions' past for this fun thinking exercise. Obviously, the QB Lions fan would truly love to see back in Detroit is Matthew Stafford, who is the leading MVP candidate this season. Stafford may be nearing retirement, but it's unclear if and when that will ever happen.
Outside of Stafford, the Lions' QB history offers slim pickings. Jon Kitna? Joey Harrington? Daunte Culpepper? Drew Stanton? Honestly, the best fit right now may be Hill, who at 45 is only a year older than Rivers. Goff is the starter, and he's still playing at a high level. Stafford would be the only worthy replacement, which brings us to the backup role. Who served the backup QB role better in recent memory than Hill?
Hill served as Stafford's backup from 2010 through 2013. After Stafford was injured in 2010, Hill took over, going 3-7 with the young, rebuilding squad. Hill only played in four games after the 2010 season, but fans were more than comfortable with him behind Stafford, who, at the time, endured questions about his fragility. Today, questions still surround the Lions' backup and third-string QB position going forward, so let's bring in ol' reliable.
5. WR Calvin Johnson
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson, or "Megatron," is one of the most imposing WRs in NFL history. At 6'5", Johnson towered over defenders, becoming the most reliable target for Stafford. Johnson's prime was dominant, with NFL fans frequently reminiscing about his triple coverage TD against the Cincinnati Bengals or his 329-yard performance against the Cowboys, both in 2013.
Johnson is currently the holder of the record for most receiving yards in a regular season (1,964), which has yet to be broken even after the NFL expanded to a 17-game season.
Similar to Ragnow and running back Barry Sanders, Johnson made the shocking decision to retire young at the age of 30. Johnson, 40, has since been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In retirement, Johnson has proven he can still move, finishing in third place in the 23rd season of Dancing with the Stars in 2016.
Goff and the Lions' offense can never have enough weapons, and they already have a record-breaking All-Pro WR in Amon-Ra St. Brown. Johnson wouldn't be expected to be the same dominant player he was during the Stafford days, but with his height and Goff's accuracy, the two could find a worthwhile connection. If nothing else, the threat of Megatron being out there might be enough to open up more space for St. Brown and Jameson Williams.