The Detroit Lions didn't make the playoffs or win the NFC North for the first time since 2022, and that could lead fans to despair, especially seeing as they have become accustomed to football success.
After a 9-8 finish, there could be pessimism that the Lions are on the right track. The reality is, after contending with one of the hardest schedules in the league and dealing with all their other issues, they could be poised for a fast turnaround.
Taking a view from above, the Lions still have plenty going for them entering 2026. They will play a last place schedule in the NFC North, and still have a fantastic chance at making a run as they build up health and improve for a new year.
Pro Football Focus writer Thomas Valentine recently named one reason for every non-playoff team to be optimistic heading into next season. Detroit's revolved mostly around one of the most talented rosters in the league, which Valentine admits was pushed to the limit
"Injuries to the defense wreaked havoc upon the Lions, as S Kerby Joseph (59.1 grade; 69th), S Brian Branch (77.5 grade; 12th), CB Terrion Arnold (52.6 grade; 94th) and CB D.J. Reed (65.2 grade; 48th) all missed substantial time. DI Alim McNeil (51.6 grade; 92nd) also did not look like the same player upon his return from injury."
"Those inconsistencies on defense hurt. The Lions were 18th in EPA per play allowed and 25th in EPA per rush allowed. However, despite all the frustration, the Lions’ 93.3 PFF grade was still third in the NFL, and the roster remains one of the most talented. The offense was a top-10 unit in EPA per play but struggled down-to-down, in part due to a new-look offensive line that lost its interior in the offseason."
"With QB Jared Goff (77.7 grade; 12th), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (90.7 grade; third), WR Jameson Williams (75.6 grade; 31st) and RB Jahmyr Gibbs (85.6 grade; fifth) as the team's offensive core, the Lions remain an explosive offense capable of generating points. The offense had the sixth-most explosive plays and was fourth in points per game."
As Valentine also wrote, issues with coordinators also caught up to the Lions, but they could be in good position to land a difference-maker to help them bring better consistency to their play calls. If improvements to the roster happen in needy spots and health comes along, the Lions could be primed to jump back to their contending ways.
Brad Holmes believes Lions remain on a good trajectory thanks to roster
Assessing where the Lions stand in terms of the pecking order in the NFC is an intriguing exersize. As PFF showed, in terms of metrics, the Lions remain in good shape and still can make the case of having one of the best rosters in the league.
Speaking with the media after the season, Holmes had similar thoughts about where he believes his team stands. As he said, he likes the elements that are already in place, even though he is prepared to look deeper and see what has to be changed for an improvement.
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"I don't think we're that far off. We have a lot of good players. We have a lot of good young, ascending players. We have a really good quarterback. We have the right coach. I do think we're very close. Maybe one of the items that needs to be looked at is thinking you are close and you start changing things because you only need this piece, you only need that piece. It's like, no. Who's the best player to fit what we're trying to do that has gotten us to the expectations we have as a football team now? We'll be looking at everything, but I do not think this is a deep surgery overhaul. Obviously there needs to be some adjustments for sure."
An offseason of subtle tweaks to the roster and perhaps a few bolder moves could leave the Lions in good position moving forward. PFF and Holmes both seem to believe Detroit has reason to be optimistic heading into next season already.