Age is a huge factor in...anything. Depending on how active of a life you lead, age can be the difference between waking up in the morning without lingering pains, and waking up with a tub of Bengay at the ready on your nightstand.
(Personally, Tiger Balm is my go-to.)
Imagining that aging process, coupled with the pains involved with being a football player, does not sound like a good time.
That's why the age of roster is so important. Typically, you want a good mix of youth and veteran talent on your team, ensuring you have experience (but riskier health) with inexperience (and typically more health). For the Detroit Lions, their youth that has experience is a strength.
According to Fantasy Life's Ian Hartitz, Detroit ranks 13th in the league in average roster age headed into 2026.
Average NFL roster age entering the 2026 season (sorted from youngest to oldest) pic.twitter.com/h74Tm35Dnu
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 6, 2026
Lions age could be a strength headed into pivotal 2026 season
Detroit's young core of Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jack Campbell is a major strength for their longevity as NFC North threats. Gibbs has been extremely healthy so far in his career, and same for Campbell. Outside of Williams' one season cut short by a suspension, he's also been extremely available for the Lions.
Taking advantage of the youth on this roster, especially on their defense, would be huge for getting those players necessary postseason experience very early on in their career. Understanding what it takes to get to that peak and gaining valuable learning experience from those runs prior to the age of this roster flipping to a riskier bracket could be a huge advantage for Detroit.
READ MORE: Jahmyr Gibbs leads list of first-time candidates for big-time accomplishment
As for their "older" players - Jared Goff (31, will be 32 in October), D.J. Reed (29, will be 30 in November), and DJ Wonnum (28, will be 29 in October) - they're really not that old by contention roster standards. Goff's possibly the only concerning age for this Lions roster, considering he's their QB1 and the franchise signal caller that the Lions have invested in for years.
We've seen several mock drafts for 2027 already looking to address that potential problem at quarterback. This could be a totally overblown issue, especially considering the Lions did what they could to get meaningful pass protection back in the building ahead of their 2026 season.
But, Goff is set to be the Lions' oldest starter, at their most important position. So, it'll be huge for Detroit to take full advantage of the youth around Goff sooner rather than later, instead of risking a decline from the veteran QB.
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