The Detroit Lions have had issues on defense to start the 2026 season, and have allowed over 30 points in back-to-back games, which is a total far too high for them to have sustained success.
At this point, the Lions are lucky to be 1-1 considering the breakdowns they had in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. Those mistakes caught up with them amid a Week 2 blowout loss, and it leaves them in a precarious spot moving forward.
Finding a fix in the short term is a big goal for Kelvin Sheppard, especially considering the fact that the Lions remain set to return one or both injured safeties in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. In spite of that, experts aren't sure it will be enough to get the Lions over the hump.
After Week 2, ESPN analyst Dan Graziano took a look at some overreactions folks might have after the league has kicked off. Graziano wondered aloud if it was an overreaction to assume Detroit's defense is going to keep them out of the playoffs again. His verdict? That might not be an overreaction at all.
"They'll get healthier. Safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph will be back at some point. But it doesn't sound like that point is coming very soon, and it doesn't answer Detroit's pass-rush question up front. Second-year coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, who succeeded Aaron Glenn when Glenn got the Jets' head coach job, has to figure out a way to scheme something up that the players he does have can execute."
"It should help the Lions that they get some extra rest before their Week 3 game, but in a division in which every team had a winning record last season and at least two of the other teams have shown a consistent ability to put big numbers on the scoreboard, they're going to have a tough time getting into the postseason field if they can't get things figured out on defense."
The good news for Detroit? Outside of the 2-0 Minnesota Vikings, the NFC North has looked pedestrian. The NFC has also seen an inconsistent start, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders both 0-2. It's tough to say which teams are the best at the moment. Given their easier schedule and powerful offense, the Lions could figure to stay in play.
If the team sorts its defense out, the Lions could improve significantly and turn around their season. This year, though, that might not come without the type of decision that Brad Holmes hasn't wanted to make thus far in his executive career.
Brad Holmes needs to understand that now is the time for bold moves
The past few seasons, the Lions have had the opportunity for bigger moves during the trade deadline. They haven't elected to make them, opting only for smaller term fixes that served only as minor band aids for gaping holes on the roster.
This year, it looks as if Detroit's defense is set to be their biggest problem again. Whether it's a cornerback or perhaps another edge rusher, the Lions are going to have to exhaust all their options to give themselves a good shot to make the playoffs and emerge from a very crowded pack.
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After watching three years of the same problems play out, Lions fans are growing impatient. They were assured the secondary had enough beef heading into this season, but it's been painfully obvious that is not the case through the first two games.
Holmes has mostly elected to save cap space to re-sign his own free agents. While that has helped Detroit remain competitive, it has not allowed themselves to elevate beyond that, especially during the playoffs. It's time for that to change.
This year, Holmes has the space to make a deal, and it looks like he will have a couple places of need to upgrade. The only thing left to see is if he will elect to make the move. His willingness to do so may determine whether or not the Lions are able to turn around their fortunes.
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