There’s no need to panic just yet if you’re a Detroit Lions fan, but the warning signs are starting to stack up that the team could take a step back in 2025.
The Lions are already dealing with the departures of key coaches—offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn—who both left for head coaching jobs with the Bears and Jets. On top of that, the usual roster turnover has hit hard, especially along the offensive line.
Most notably, they’ve lost starting linemen Kevin Zeitler and Frank Ragnow, the latter of whom recently announced his unexpected retirement on Instagram.
Ragnow’s retirement is just the latest blow in what’s becoming a difficult offseason for Detroit. Losing both coordinators is tough enough, but replacing multiple starters on the interior offensive line is a major concern. The Lions once had the luxury of relying on elite offensive play-calling and a top-tier line. That’s no longer the case.
Defensively, they haven’t made significant strides either—especially on the edge. First-round pick Tyleik Williams should help inside, but the team has done little to address last year’s depth issues on the outside.
The secondary remains a work in progress, with several young, unproven players still finding their roles.
Head coach Dan Campbell faces a big challenge. He’ll need to rely heavily on veteran quarterback Jared Goff and hope the offensive line can hold up. The offense will look different without Johnson calling plays—not necessarily because John Morton will overhaul the scheme, but because his approach to the game is different.
That doesn’t guarantee the offense will struggle, but if the rebuilt interior line has protection issues early, it could set off a chain reaction. It’s possible the Lions will have three new starters up front.
Considering they also play in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions, the Lions could be in for a rough ride in 2025.