The Detroit Lions are looking for a smoother start from their retooled offensive line Sunday when they open the 2026 NFL season hosting the New Orleans Saints.
2025’s season opener at Lambeau Field was the Lions’ first game after the June retirement of center Frank Ragnow. It didn’t go well for Detroit up front.
The Lions rushed for just 46 yards on 22 carries. Quarterback Jared Goff was sacked four times. The Packers’ front led by Micah Parsons, Rashan Gary and Devonte Wyatt continuously made Detroit pay for poor communication and inexperience in the 27-13 loss.
This year, with the comfort of playing in front of their home crowd and a revamped line group, the Lions are counting on some better immediate results.
“Last year, we were playing with basically two rookies up front and a new center, in a regard, even though Graham [Glasgow] had played quite a bit,” he said Monday. “So playing at home helps a little bit just in that regard.”
Lions' O-line must bring their A-game against Saints
The Saints are no slouch up front. Chase Young has quietly become one of the NFL’s best edge rushers, defensive end Carl Granderson had six sacks last season and free agency pickup linebacker Kaden Elliss is one of the league’s most dangerous blitzers. Veteran mainstay Cam Jordan is also coming off a 10.5 sack season.
Lions second-year right guard Tate Ratledge has reportedly enjoyed a strong training camp, and Sunday will be his first chance to show he’s made a leap.
“We're a little more experienced,” Campbell said. “Tate's got another year under his belt. Blake Miller has taken some pretty good reps up to this point.”
Miller, Detroit’s first round pick, looks all set to start at right tackle in his NFL debut. Some growing pains are to be expected, but the Lions drafted him in part because of how seasoned of a prospect he was coming out of Clemson (54 career starts). He’ll be thrown into the fire right away.
“Now, he’s not going to be perfect,” Campbell said of Miller. That's not what it's about. It’s about being consistent and getting a little bit better every rep, every time you play. That's the nature of being a young player.”
Campbell declined to name his starter at left guard, offering it would either be Christian Mahogany or offseason pickup Ben Bartch.
Mahogany is perhaps a bit more likely to start than Bartch since he was the guy last year, but he struggled in 2025. Of any starter on the Lions offense, he’s likely got the shortest leash. The team could swap Bartch in at any moment.
There’s also the question of Penei Sewell’s move to left tackle over from the right. Sewell has undoubtedly been one of the very best players in football since his arrival in Detroit, and he played left tackle in college. But a switch from one side to the other is never easy, and it’s still worth monitoring how he holds up on that side.
Detroit’s top free agency signing was center Cade Mays but he’s out until at least October with a wrist injury. Trade acquisition Juice Scruggs will slide into the center spot. It’s not the most inspiring move, but you could probably do worse given the situation.
READ MORE: Under the radar question for the Lions could define their entire offense in 2026
So, all of this to ask: is the Lions’ offensive line really more experienced? There are just as many moving parts as there were last year, if not more.
Miller’s readiness to play right away, Sewell’s handling of the move to left tackle, the left guard battle and center play are all fair questions to ask. And even if you feel good about Ratledge, he’s only a second-year player.
The Lions need an immediate better showing up front than the one they got last year. They can’t afford another inefficient running game with poor pass protection. That means this group, as new as it might be, will have to click rather soon.
Campbell feels like they can handle it.
“I feel like we've seen a lot in training camp,” Campbell said. “We've faced a lot of pressure. We've done a lot of very stressful, strenuous situations. We always do a lot, but I felt like I threw a lot at our coordinators and the team, and I felt like we got what we were looking for out of it.”
Sunday will give us our first look at what exactly they’ve gotten out of it.
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