It might not be what everyone wants to hear, with the disappointment of the 2025 season still leaving a substantial sting, but the Detroit Lions are closer to title contention than they are sticking around as a third-place team in the NFC North.
The Lions were one of the most shocking disappointments in the NFL in 2025, finishing with a 9-8 record and watching a year during this title contention window absolutely vanish. Coming out of the bye week, the Lions lost seven of their final 11 games, missing the playoffs completely, and undoubtedly heading into the offseason with a huge chip on their shoulders.
Dan Campbell is on the hunt for his next offensive coordinator, which will be one of the most significant moves the Lions make all offseason. But in terms of the roster, this Lions team could make one minor tweak and be back at peak operation.
Lions finding a new center in 2026 might be the small tweak that gets everything back on track
The Lions were desperate enough during the 2025 season for help at the center position that they called Frank Ragnow out of retirement. While Philip Rivers stole the thunder of awesome stories of retired players coming back to the field in 2025, the idea of Ragnow returning to help the Lions make a postseason run was one that understandably had the fan base giddy.
His attempted comeback was completely ruined by a hamstring injury, leaving the Lions without a viable solution.
It wasn't all the fault of the center position, but Jared Goff was sacked a career-high 38 times. That was the 8th-most sacks any quarterback in the NFL took in 2025, and while sacks are not always the fault of the offensive line, nobody is under any illusion that the center position is exempt from blame.
Some have toyed with the idea of stellar rookie Tate Ratledge moving to the center position, but as well as he played at right guard, there's no reason to mess around with that. It's time to just find someone new. Graham Glasgow was one of the worst centers in the league this past year, so Lions GM Brad Holmes is going to need to get that position addressed early in next year's draft (or free agency).
READ MORE: Dan Skipper gave an honest assessment of future with the Detroit Lions
Our friends over at FanSided.com are believing in the quick bounce-back for the Lions:
This is still the foundation of a long-time winner. There aren’t just pieces at every position. There are stars. They have Jahmyr Gibbs at running back, possibly the best player at his position. David Montgomery is the best backup in football. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are an incredible top two receivers. The offensive line is outstanding. Jared Goff seems to be good enough.
On top of it all, the players will run through a wall for Dan Campbell. He really personified what you want in a head coach. We need more out of his coordinators, as it was clear he missed Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson. Sometimes, that takes a little time, but the Lions are still close. We can’t deny that. They could win the Super Bowl next season, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone.
There's no doubt that the Lions need an offensive coordinator that can more capably fill the shoes of Ben Johnson than John Morton did, but the lifeblood of this team has been the offensive line play. There was a dropoff this past year, and the weak link was at center.
If the Lions can find someone to upgrade that position, they're going to be back in business like they never left.