The Detroit Lions Podcast

A draft class searching for traction The Detroit Lions Podcast put the 2024 draft class under a harsh light. Two years in, the group has flashed but not finished. The Detroit Lions need more in the NFL’s tight margins. This feels like a prove-it season for the entire class, headlined by first-round pick Terryon Arnold at No. 24 overall after a trade up with Dallas from 28. Terryon Arnold needs consistent CB1 tape Arnold has shown it in stretches. Early last year he looked the part outside. Midseason he matured. He played less handsy. He read the receiver better. Then came the injury. Then penalties. Then a general lack of effectiveness. He has not played like a first-rounder yet. The expectation remains that he opens 2026 as a starting outside cornerback. The benefit of the doubt is fading. He has one more season before the fifth-year option decision becomes straightforward or complicated. The Dallas trade context matters Detroit paid a first and a third to move up for Arnold. Those Dallas picks turned into Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe. Guyton has started at tackle and shown an inconsistent but impressive profile. Beebe has started at center and been decent, short of high expectations. No one knows if the Lions would have made the same choices. They did spend time with Beebe at the Senior Bowl. Viewed through that prism, the move has not produced the intended return yet in Detroit. Ennis Rakestraw’s availability and a crowded slot Rakestraw has played eight games in two years. Multiple injuries hit both seasons, echoing a college pattern where timing hurt his offseasons more than his Saturdays. This is a big year for him. The room around him has tightened. Detroit drafted Keith Abney in that spot and signed Roger McCreery there. Christian Risdon and Avante Maddox can play slot nickel. Outside, they brought Brockus back. Nick Whiteside is back, and to this point he has shown more in coverage than Rakestraw. The challenge is clear. Day 3 pieces still seeking a spark Giovanni Manu arrived as an offensive lineman from British Columbia in the fourth. Also in the fourth, Vaki was listed as a safety at Utah but Detroit drafted him to play running back, a role he handled at Utah and at the Senior Bowl. In the sixth, Mangin Wingo came in at defensive tackle from LSU. The Lions also added guard Chris Mahogany from Boston College. Collectively, the group has been underwhelming and frustrating. There is time, but not much, for this class to match the standard set elsewhere on the roster. The 2026 tape has to change the story. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #terrionarnold #ennisrakestraw #giovannimanu #2024nfldraft #mekhiwingo #christianmahogany #sionevaki Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why the Fifth-Year Option Never Made Sense The Detroit Lions made Jack Campbell the NFL’s second highest paid linebacker. The number is big, and the reasoning is clear. Off-ball linebackers are grouped with pass-rush linebackers for option calculations. That bucket includes names like Micah Parsons. Even Miles Garrett falls into that label in the accounting. Aidan Hutchinson could be listed there, too. Because Campbell earned first team All-Pro, the fifth-year option would have escalated beyond his annual number. The option math was upside down. So the Lions acted early and got cost certainty. The same structure exists for other young Lions. Jahmir Gibbs had a smaller escalator tied to Pro Bowls. This is how the NFL and NFLPA built the system. It rewards production, but it can spike costs at certain positions. Inside the Deal and the Market Campbell’s contract lands at $81,000,000 total value and $20,250,000 per year. Only Roquan Smith tops him in total dollars. Only Fred Warner makes more per year at $21,000,000. Average per year is the clean measuring stick. Total value often carries fluff. Teams use mechanisms like void years, and the back end can be soft. The Detroit Lions Podcast spelled out why this price point isn’t out of bounds. It is pushing the market, not breaking it. He is young, coming off his first contract, and already an All-Pro. Someone else will leapfrog him soon. That is how the market works. What Campbell Puts on Tape Campbell’s tape backs the investment. He forces fumbles by punching the ball out. Officials explained why some of those attempts will now be penalties, and he had a couple misses. The core skill still matters. He arrives on balance. He squares up. He finishes. You rarely see a bad snap. The only consistent nit is occasional coverage wins by the offense. His instincts show up. So does his reactive quickness and eye discipline. He does not overrun the point of attack. That matters for this defense. The pet peeve with linebackers who fly past tackles or get stiff-armed because they are out of control does not apply here. The comparisons offered were about style and reliability. Think Lance Briggs. Think Chris Spielman. Right place. Right angles. Right result. What’s Next in the Hierarchy Campbell is now slotted as the No. 2 off-ball linebacker by pay. The plan was to stack up other Detroit Lions stars and where they rank next. That conversation is coming. For now, the headline stands: the Detroit Lions paid for steady, high-end play. The NFL market context and option math justify it. The Detroit Lions Podcast laid out the numbers and the tape, and both point to value. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jackcampbell #nflcontractrankings #peneisewell #jaredgoff #kerbyjoseph #alimmcneill #voidyears Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Campbell Locked In, Option Math Explained Jeff Risdon went live on the Detroit Lions Podcast for a bonus hit. Chris was slated to join, but he’s on short-term injured reserve. The headline was simple. Jack Campbell announced his contract extension. It runs through the 2030 season. The why behind Detroit declining Campbell’s fifth year option mattered. His All-Pro nod pushed that option cost to the franchise tag level for linebackers. The NFL does not separate off ball linebackers from pass rushing linebackers in that calculation. That puts Campbell in the bucket with players like Micah Parsons. That price is prohibitive for any off ball linebacker. An extension always made more sense. Final numbers were not available. The expectation was in the $16–18 million per year range, but the structure will tell the real story. The key pieces to watch: what is guaranteed at signing and how many void years get attached. Fan Reveal, Super Bowl Goal, and Campbell’s Leap The news broke in a fan-forward way. Sweta Patel, a loyal Detroit Lions fan, shared the extension first with the team’s blessing. Peter Schrager amplified that she indeed had it. Detroit followed with a video featuring Campbell. He smiled and set his goal out loud: the Super Bowl. The growth that led here was steady. Early on, Campbell could get flat-footed in coverage. He guessed on reads at times. Shedding blocks was inconsistent. The tape evolved. Last season he earned first team All-Pro. His missed tackle rate stood out. He was reliable. He was where he needed to be. Always around the ball. The extension validates the development. The Money Mechanics and What’s Next Detroit’s approach to contracts remains a strategic subplot for the NFL audience. The Lions prefer void years over traditional restructures. That creates cap flexibility today but limits the ability to restructure deals later. You cannot easily add more years if dead years already stack at the back end. The number of void years on Campbell will signal how aggressively Detroit wants to push money forward. If the deal carries only one void year, it suggests confidence. Confidence in Campbell signing another extension down the road. Confidence in handling the rest of the core without robbing future space. The draft class of 2023 sits next in line. Branch and Laporta are in contract years as second-rounders and are coming off injuries, which complicates projections. Gibbs can wait a bit longer if necessary. And Penay’s next extension is not far out. It could come as early as next offseason. For the Detroit Lions, this bonus Detroit Lions Podcast episode framed the moment. Campbell is locked up. The cap chessboard is in motion. Eyes now shift to guarantees, void years, and the next signatures. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jackcampbellextension #fifthyearoption #franchisetaglevel #jahmyrgibbs #lionscontracts #brianbranch #samlaporta #detroitdefense Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tackle priority and Blake Miller’s floor The Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on why offensive tackle felt likely going into the NFL draft. The class at tackle was top heavy. Options like Morgan Freeling and Proctor were in the mix. Detroit landed Blake Miller. Miller brings more than 50 plus starts. He shows lateral quickness for a big frame. The question is ceiling. Can he become a dominant force or is he a steady pro? The discussion leaned toward a very respectable starter. Solid baseline. Reasonable risk. Clear need met. Derek Moore’s motor and rush upside Derek Moore drew differing opinions after Senior Bowl looks. The tape shows a high motor. Power at contact. Strong, active hands. He finishes when he wins early. The rush potential pops more than the all around game right now. That profile still checks Lions boxes. Effort. Physicality. Inside hands. Moore fits the rotation and can scale up if the pass rush package tightens. The bet is on juice and refinement. The value aligns with where Detroit picked. Nickel value, late finds, and roles Keith Abney was the surprise slider, landing at 157. Short, not small. Instinctive. Natural mover in coverage. Some label him a nickel only. That role matters. In today’s NFL, the nickel is a twelfth starter. Detroit’s corner group has battled injuries. There are questions about Branch health. The pick matches need and value. Jimmy Rolder brings Michigan production despite a short starting run. Efficient and smart. A clean GPS to the football. That helps special teams and depth right away, with room to grow on defense. Kendrick Law offers a defined path. Many of his catches came behind the line. He is a YAC threat. He did not always maximize his gifts, but the special teams prowess can track a roster spot while the route tree expands. Inside, Tyree West arrives from Tennessee at defensive tackle. The room adds a penetrator type in Skylar Gil Howard out of Texas Tech. That pairing gives the front more get off and disruption angles in sub packages. This Detroit Lions draft matched the board to the blueprint. Tackle security with Miller. Rush traits with Moore. Nickel utility with Abney. Role clarity for Law, West, and Skylar Gil Howard. A respectable class that fits how the Lions want to play. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #2026nfldraft #blakemiller #ericedholm #lionsdefense #ennisrakestraw #benjohnson #nfcnorth #nflpowerrankings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Worries Jeff If the Stars Stay Healthy The Detroit Lions enter 2026 with expectations and scars. Injuries haunted the last two seasons. That remains the existential dread. But on the Detroit Lions Podcast, Jeff set that aside for a day and asked a tougher NFL question. If the core plays most of the year, what could still go wrong? He laid out the premise. The starting secondary gets at least 12 games together. Aidan Hutchinson plays a full season. Jared Goff plays a full season. Amanra maybe misses one game. Penay maybe one. Gibbs is available most weeks. With that health, the worry shifts from luck to execution. Downfield Coverage Can Still Break Cornerback play tops the list. DJ Reed after the hamstring wasn’t the same. Terrion Arnold improved, but there is room to climb. Roger McCreery arrives as a new piece. Keith Abney is a favorite pick, yet the NFL put him in the fifth round. Consensus boards loved the value. He still has to cover. Safety helps, if healthy. Kirby has a chip and something to prove. Branch comes back after Germany around Week 11 or Week 12. Chuck Clark brings veteran snaps, though there’s concern he’s past his prime. Thomas Harper played well last year. Monte Maddox is back. There are enough bodies to function. The issue is downfield coverage. That remains a real concern, even if the pass rush can hide some of it. Pass Rush and Front Must Gel Jeff likes the edge additions for Kelvin Shepherd’s defense. DJ one of them was a smart, shrewd move. Derrick Moore should contribute. Hutch is Hutch. All-Pro. Depth and cohesion inside are the bigger questions. Aleem is a good player. Levi, if healthy, is a solid rotational piece. What does the rotation look like? Do they play without a nose tackle? The Romeo Cornell riff on the Bo Parcells front uses two three techniques and no nose. That can work with elite interior disruptors. The Lions still need to show they have that pairing. The front and linebackers must mesh as one six- or seven-man unit. There are many moving parts. Personnel and scheme both in flux. Some concern lingers that it won’t click fast enough. The Interior Offensive Line Is in Flux The other major worry lives up front on offense. Cade Mays might not work. Tate Ratledge might not be that guy. Left guard is unsettled. Christian Mahogany was good early last year, then got hurt, and wasn’t the same on return, similar to DJ Reed. Penay is moving to the left side. Depending on left guard, there could be four new starters across the line. Call it three and a half at minimum. Jeff is a big Blake Miller fan and doesn’t worry about left tackle. But offensive lines win as a five-man unit. The Lions will face diverse fronts. Cohesion must arrive early for this Detroit Lions offense to meet the moment. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #peneisewell #cademays #kelvinsheppard #djwonnum #biggestfears #2026nflseason #jaredgoff #djreed #terrionarnold #injuries #detroitinjurystatus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ravens video reveals a Lions trade that vanished Ravens Wired captured a draft-night framework between Baltimore and the Detroit Lions. The Ravens held pick 14. Detroit explored jumping from 17 to grab their guy. In the room were Eric DeCosta and Ozzie Newsome. As the board shifted, you can hear DeCosta say, “the deal’s off.” The Detroit Lions Podcast breaks down how it unraveled and why Detroit stayed put. Picks 12 and 13 scrambled the board Action accelerated at 12. Miami and Dallas swapped. Dallas took Caleb Downs. Miami slid back and selected Caden Proctor. The Rams at 13 then grabbed Ty Simpson, a move that stunned more than Baltimore. That flurry reset expectations at 14. Detroit, according to Brad Holmes’ explanation, believed no one ahead would take Blake Miller. That confidence held. The Lions did not move. What Detroit kept by not moving The reported framework from Ravens Wired: the Lions would have sent 17, a fourth-rounder at 118, and a 2027 third. Earlier in the process, Detroit also discussed offering two fourths plus 17 to the Rams at 13. None of it proved necessary. Pick 17 became Blake Miller. Pick 118 became Jimmy Rolder. Baltimore, once the talks died, drafted Venga Venga Iwanee, the guard from Penn State. Would he have been there at 17? Maybe. Unclear. Rolder projects into the linebacker rotation battle. He will compete with Malcolm Rodriguez for the third or fourth linebacker snaps. Others will factor in as well. The 2027 third remains in Detroit’s pocket. Next year’s value in that range looks stronger, and the Lions tend to move third-rounders when the board dictates. Standing pat preserved options. Smoke, targets and positional fit There was league chatter about Detroit and Caden Proctor. The Dolphins are playing him at guard. The sense here: the Lions were not targeting a guard at 17 and certainly not trading up for one. That tracks with how Detroit operated when the board broke. One trusted voice had also relayed pre-draft that Detroit looked at moving way up for Reuben Bain. Whether that ever truly materialized is unknown. What is clear from the NFL tape on Ravens Wired and the cadence of picks at 12 and 13 is simple. Detroit held its water, landed Blake Miller at 17, kept Jimmy Rolder at 118, and retained a future third. Efficient. Calculated. Very Lions. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #lionsdraft #baltimoreravens #ericdecosta #bradholmes #blakemiller #drafttrades #benitojones #shanezylstra #brodricmartin #timpatrick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rodgers in Pittsburgh, by the numbers The Detroit Lions Podcast opened with a sharp look at Aaron Rodgers rejoining Pittsburgh. The frame was simple. What does he have left and what can an NFL offense reasonably be with him now? Last season at age 41, Rodgers posted his lowest depth of target. He threw behind the line of scrimmage more than any quarterback. A massive 64% of his yards came after the catch. He relocated less than ever and attempted fewer throws on the move than in any year over the last decade. The picture is clear. He cannot run from pressure and the ball must get out fast. There is a path to competence. More under center snaps. More pre snap motion. Quick-breaking windows, Jimmy Garoppolo style, where timing and space manufacture efficiency. But that requires full buy-in. The episode noted Rodgers’ resistance to under center concepts and motion, which limits how an offensive coordinator can help. Pittsburgh also passed on the quarterback free agent market, from names like Kyler Murray to developmental swings. The ceiling described for this approach landed around the middle of the league, at best the thirteenth-best passing game. Why Goff’s structure lifts Detroit The contrast with Jared Goff defined the heart of the conversation. Detroit Lions fans know the deal. The offense leverages motion and under center looks to unleash a layered passing game. Goff cannot run either, but he embraces the structure. He turns his back to the defense. He lets motion and formation do the heavy lifting. That creates clean throws and sustainable answers. On downfield throws last year, Rodgers got the ball out faster than any quarterback. Goff ranked second. Under pressure metrics told a similar story, with Rodgers leading in inaccurate throws and Goff near the top as well. The difference is philosophical. Detroit blends quick-game, yards-after-catch opportunities, and timely shots. The result is an NFL passing attack that protects its quarterback while still threatening every level. That buy-in separates the Lions’ plan from the version Pittsburgh must chase with Rodgers. Jamir Gibbs contract talk heats up The episode closed on the Detroit Lions future at running back. Jamir Gibbs has been a core weapon, and talk of an extension has lingered. This week, a Miami running back deal — referenced as Devon Etienne — pushed the market upward. That development matters for timing and structure. It frames where Gibbs’ next number might settle and how Detroit prioritizes its offensive pillars. For the Lions, the calculus is straightforward. Keep the passing game efficient with motion and under center. Keep Goff on schedule. Retain explosive skill talent that turns short throws into chunk gains. Gibbs fits that mission. The market just made the conversation louder. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jaredgoff #jahmyrgibbs #contractextensions #brianbranch #jackcampbell #aaronrodgers #superbowlwindow #detroitlionsdraft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Blake Miller fits Detroit now The Detroit Lions drafted Clemson right tackle Blake Miller in the first round. Sunday’s Detroit Lions Podcast with Jeff Riston and guest Justin Mello zeroed in on why. Miller logged 57 career starts at Clemson, all at right tackle. That volume shows reliability and routine. Around the NFL, evaluators praised his football character. Mello called him a coach’s dream. He is quiet until football talk flips the switch. Miller’s demeanor matters. He is monotone in small talk. He comes alive in scheme. That focus aligns with the Detroit Lions and what Dan Campbell values. It is not about flash. It is about assignments, strain and finish. The culture fit looks natural. What his own words reveal Mello described a favorite moment from his pre-draft interview. He asked Miller to break down his favorite play from Clemson’s playbook. The answer poured out. Miller cited the play by name, detailed his assignment, and recalled two specific reps from one game. He said the first rep featured a better block from him. He preferred the second because it resulted in a touchdown, even though he whiffed a bit on his job. That story lands with weight. It shows recall. It shows honesty. It shows a player who puts team outcome over personal grade and still knows exactly how he must improve. That is the kind of detail that translates in the NFL. It also explains why Mello thinks Miller will be a steady, above-average starter with a real shot at elite play. Right tackle today, options tomorrow Riston said Miller will play right tackle in Detroit. Management has also talked about a move to the left side. Mello believes left or right will not matter in time because Miller is so steady. Starting him where he has 57 starts lets him hit the ground running. The Lions needed a long-term answer at tackle after the Taylor Decker situation, and Miller checks that box. Mello even projected a major second contract in four or five years, the kind teams reserve for cornerstone linemen. That confidence flows from wiring, not hype. Fans are coming around for the same reason. Miller was not viewed as a first-rounder last August. His growth since then changed the calculus. This episode distilled it cleanly. The Detroit Lions get a day-one right tackle who loves the work. They keep the door open for a left tackle move if needed. They add a player whose football character matches the locker room. That is how you build an NFL line that lasts. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #2026nfldraft #tennesseetitans #blakemiller #keldricfaulk #jimmyrolder #camward #titansoffseason Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Opening slate: Saints lift-off, Bills hurdle, early split The day after the NFL schedule release, the Detroit Lions Podcast dove into the schedule game. The call is clear through Thanksgiving. Detroit projects an 8-3 mark built on home control, measured road aggression, and smart handling of travel. Week 1 brings the Saints to Ford Field. That’s a win. Tough opponent, but the Detroit Lions are set to treat home fans right out of the gate. Week 2 at Buffalo is tagged as the least winnable date on the entire slate. The Bills are set to open a new stadium on a Thursday night, and that setting tilts against Detroit. Week 3 vs the New York Jets swings back to a win. Week 4 at Carolina is labeled a coin flip that falls the wrong way. Through four, it’s a 2-2 split. Week 5 at Arizona flips the script again. Detroit takes care of the Cardinals on the road. Week 6 is the bye, arriving with the Lions at 3-2. Reset after the bye: division tone-setters Back from the break, the NFC North run sets the tone. Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field is a win and a division opener that matters. One week later, the Minnesota Vikings visit. If the Detroit Lions are reasonably healthy, that’s another win. The record climbs to 5-2 with momentum building inside the division. Travel tests: Miami swing, Germany trip, sandwich trap The road trip to Miami follows, slotted between two divisional matchups and a flight abroad. The focus holds. Detroit gets a road win in Miami. The next stop is Germany against New England. Detroit hasn’t played overseas in a long time, but the matchup favors the Lions offense. Chalk up another win. Returning from Europe sets a classic trap. Tampa Bay arrives at Ford Field off a bye while the Lions are just back from the international trip. That spot leans against Detroit. The Buccaneers are picked to edge it, a narrow loss in a tricky schedule pocket. Thanksgiving target and running tally Thanksgiving brings the Bears to Detroit. The Lions lock in and handle business, a home win fueled by the Ford Field crowd and the urgency of a division race. That puts the Detroit Lions at 8-3 heading into the final six games. The schedule tightens from here, but the path to that mark is set: protect home turf, win the right road fights, and survive the travel swings. The Detroit Lions Podcast made the calls. Now the NFL season will test them. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #lionsschedule #lionswintotal #game-by-gamepredictions #nfcnorth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Detroit Lions 2026 NFL road map is set after schedule release night. Detroit opens at home against the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. Week 2 sends the Lions to christen the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium on the first Thursday night of the season. A Munich date with New England headlines midyear. Thanksgiving brings Chicago. The stretch run leans on NFC North road games. Fast start, steep Week 2 test Week 1 is friendly. Home. Dome. Saints. The Lions know the drill and can set the tone. Then comes Buffalo on Thursday night to open the new stadium. That trip looks like the toughest win on the slate. A new coach and a defense with moving parts make the Bills volatile. They added CJ Carter Johnson in the secondary. That could hit big or explode. Either way, the timing is tricky on a short week in a charged building. Early bye, home-heavy runway After the Jets at home, Detroit heads out for a two-game road swing at the Panthers and Cardinals. The Carolina game lands in prime time on Sunday night. A Week 6 bye arrives early. Some will bristle at that. The schedule then flips in the Lions’ favor. From Week 7 through Thanksgiving, Detroit gets five home games in six weeks if you count Munich as a home date. The only road game in that stretch is at Miami. That matchup does not intimidate. The Dolphins might be the weakest opponent on the schedule. Stack wins there, and the table is set for December. Munich stage without a post-trip bye Week 10 brings New England in Munich on a Sunday morning. The NFL designates it a Lions home game. There is no bye afterward. Detroit returns to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11. Expect a surge of Amon-Ra St. Brown jerseys in Germany. He has deep ties there and real popularity. The Patriots still draw strongly overseas, so the atmosphere should be split and loud. The turn-and-burn back to Detroit adds a wrinkle to recovery and prep. Thanksgiving spotlight and a road-heavy close Thanksgiving features the Bears at Ford Field. The mini-bye that follows points to Atlanta, then the Titans visit Detroit. The final four turn up the heat: at Minnesota, home for the Giants, then at Chicago and at Green Bay in Weeks 17 and 18. That’s a rugged close inside the division and on the road. The Lions’ best path is clear. Survive Buffalo, build momentum in the home-heavy middle, handle Munich without a stumble, and carry cushion into December. Detroit Lions Podcast faithful will have those checkpoints circled. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #2026detroitlionsschedule #nflschedulerelease #reaction #lionsreaction #dancampbell #detroitlionsseason Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Wednesday, May 13, Jeff Risdon sharpened three headlines. Jared Goff's window. A Munich matchup vs the Patriots on Nov. 15. Every Detroit Lions rookie signed. Goff’s Window, Built by the Line Jared Goff will be the Detroit Lions quarterback for at least the next two seasons. That was clear and direct. The question is not if the Lions can win with Goff. The question is what kind of cast he gets. With this roster, the arrow points up. The offensive line drives that optimism. A new center who can actually run block changes the interior. Tate Ratledge is growing into his second season at guard. Christian Mahogany being healthy matters if he grabs the left guard job, and that competition is real. A better line makes Goff better, and he was already good enough last year despite an OC who worked against the flow. Goff’s mobility will never be a feature, and his big-game record has mixed chapters. He also played very well in a Super Bowl loss. In the current NFL, the Detroit Lions can win with him when the front five sets the tone. He is low on the list of things keeping this team from a Lombardi. Schedule Drop and a Munich Showdown The NFL schedule release lands tonight. Travel planners care. So do fans circling one date in bold. On November 15 in Munich, the Lions will host the New England Patriots, the reigning AFC champs, per the league’s decree. That is a marquee lift for an international stage where the Patriots brand still looms from the Brady and Belichick era. There is noise around New England. Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini headlines. Wide receiver questions. AJ Brown trade talk. An offensive line that looked bad and did not get the help some expected. The Patriots move from a last play schedule to a first play schedule. The Lions draw a fourth play schedule. Advantage Detroit. Matchup-wise, Detroit must run the ball. That fits the Lions’ identity and their improved front. Pencil it in as a likely win when we play the schedule game. And ignore the leak season chatter. Even a Thanksgiving rumor linking the Patriots to Detroit fizzled by nightfall. Contracts: Entire Rookie Class Locked In Right after yesterday’s show, the Lions made it official. Every rookie is signed. Blake Miller, Derek Moore, Keith Abney, Jimmy Rolder, the whole draft class. The undrafted free agents are now official as well. The paperwork is done. Camp battles can start where they matter most, in the trenches and on special teams. This Detroit Lions Podcast kept it simple. Goff has a runway. The line is stronger. Munich awaits. The roster is signed and ready. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #udfaclass #jerryjacobs #lukealtmyer #newenglandpatriots #lionsschedule #mileskitsleman #jaredgoff #lionswindow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rookie Deals Reset: Derek Moore at 44 The Detroit Lions are back on the field in Detroit. Rookies checked in yesterday without a rookie minicamp. Most draft picks put pen to paper. One exception stands out. Blake Miller remains unsigned, though there is little to negotiate. Derek Moore is the headline. The Lions locked the No. 44 pick into a four-year, $11,426,000 contract. Fully guaranteed at signing. That mirrors a growing NFL shift. Last year, top second-rounders pushed for guarantees like first-rounders. Teams such as the Texans and Browns agreed. The trend extended down to the 40th pick in 2025, Saints quarterback Tyler Shuck. Third-rounders still tend to get only their signing bonuses guaranteed. The financial landscape is changing fast, and the Lions moved with it. Inside Pick 37: The Call and the Restraint The New York Giants released their draft room video. In it, GM Joe Shane takes a call while on the clock at No. 37. You can hear him say 118, 128, and 157. Those are Detroit’s picks. The Lions were trying to climb for Moore. Detroit did not go that high. They moved from 50 to 44 instead and still landed Moore. The price to jump to 37 would have cost assets that became Jimmy Rolder and Keith Abney. The Giants did not trade the pick. They kept it and made their selection. Detroit read the board and got their guy without spending the extra capital. Holmes’ Aggression, This Time in Check There is a pattern with Brad Holmes. He targets his players and goes hard. In 2021, he said he would have traded into the first round for Levi Anzuriki. The cost to acquire Isaac Tussle was steep too. Two third-round picks this year and one last year. Value can blur when conviction takes over. This time, restraint showed. The Lions avoided an unnecessary jump to 37 and kept useful pieces. Rolder now heads into OTAs set to battle Malcolm Rodriguez for the third or fourth linebacker role. Abney draws praise and could push to start sooner than later. Those opportunities exist because Detroit held firm. The Derek Moore deal fits a new NFL reality. Second-round guarantees are rising, and the Lions did not hesitate. The attempted trade to 37 shows the front office’s urgency for Moore. The decision not to force it shows growth. On the Detroit Lions Podcast, this is the balance that matters. Get the player. Keep the board. Build the roster. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nflscheduleleaks #lionsdraft #derrickmoore #newyorkgiants #nfldrafttrades #rookiecontracts #lionsjerseynumbers #jerseychanges Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Officiating Deal, Real Stakes for Detroit A bright yellow flag hung behind the mic. The NFL just locked in its officials through 2032. The Detroit Lions Podcast dug into what that means and why it matters. No replacement refs are coming. That alone eases memories of the Fail Mary and Golden Tate’s contested catch from the last time stand-ins worked games. The agreement adds access and structure. Officials will work more in the offseason at mini camps, training camp, and joint practices. The league plans to build a deeper bench of officials. It will also lean more on performance metrics for postseason assignments instead of seniority. For the Detroit Lions, that points to consistency and accountability in the biggest moments. Postseason Assignments, Grading, and Crew Continuity January football exposes crew chemistry. The league often selects individual officials for playoff crews rather than moving whole units together. That can create communication gaps. New voices. New tendencies. Timing and mechanics change. The show underscored how much smoother it gets when the same group works together repeatedly. Grading is the crux. The metrics that decide who advances remain largely opaque. Jeff and Chris stressed that accountability must be more than a memo. Better evaluations should translate to better assignments. Postseason games also pay more, so strong grades must matter. The deal includes an average 6.4% annual raise for officials. That is a meaningful incentive to refine standards and reward excellence without pretending perfection exists. Why Full-Time Refs Still Are Not the Answer The common call is to make officials full time. The reality is many do not want that. Officiating is not every official’s primary income. Examples prove it. Referee Clete Blakeman is an attorney. Umpire Scott Campbell is a professional firefighter. Demanding full-time status would push out skilled people who prefer to keep their careers and still work NFL games. The new framework tries a different route. More reps with teams in the offseason. Clearer paths to the playoffs for those who grade well. More development on a deeper bench. Quick Lions Notes: Schedule Week and Mother’s Day Monday’s daily DLP arrived with schedule week on deck. The hosts recorded Sunday night after a family-first Mother’s Day, a thoughtful moment that framed the show. Now it is back to business. The Detroit Lions will soon see the path to fall. The officiating changes will travel with them. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nflofficiating #replacementrefs #postseasonassignments #performancemetrics #trainingcamp #minicamps #jointpractices #deanblandino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Green Bay’s Draft Without Pick No. 1 The Detroit Lions Podcast put the NFC North under the microscope. Green Bay navigated the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round pick. Inside the room, they essentially treated Micah Parsons as that missing top selection. It framed every other choice and every roster bet. That context matters for Detroit Lions fans sizing up the division. Scouting and process took center stage. The conversation cut through recycled big boards and highlighted year-round work. Senior Bowl trips. Shrine practices back when they were in St. Petersburg. Long lists stacked against real tape. Original evaluations, not echoes. That lens set up a blunt look at how Green Bay built its board and why. Micah Parsons and the Ten-Month ACL Clock The timetable was clear. The modern ACL return is a ten-month arc from injury to full snap load. Map that to the NFL calendar and the target becomes around Week Five. Expect a roster stash to start. The assumption is the PUP list to open the season, then a ramp-up to real usage. Expectations were once sky-high. A defensive coach even floated league-leading sack potential before leaving for the Miami job. Reality now lives in checkpoints, not headlines. That timeline shapes how Detroit prepares to block, chip, and slide protections when the calendar turns. It also mirrors a familiar Detroit thread. Brian Branch’s earlier injury surfaced as a reference point for working backward from health, not hype. The New PUP Rule and Week Five Targets The NFL tweaked the PUP rules, and it changes the math. Previously, players on PUP could not practice with the team for four weeks. Now the no-practice window is two weeks. After that, teams can designate to return and build a two-week ramp while the player remains on PUP. For a contender, that is roster flexibility. For the Detroit Lions, it is a calendar to monitor across the division. Layer in Green Bay’s broader injury picture. Devonte Wyatt is on track. Tucker Craft’s timing aligns with the start of training camp, with Week One availability expected. Extension talks are in line for him. Jordan Riley ruptured an Achilles. That points to season-long IR unless there is a settlement. Given the severity, the incentive is to keep him around and let the rehab run its course. What It Means Around the North The Packers’ first-round void, the Parsons clock, and the PUP tweak all converge on the same conclusion. September snaps will look different than October snaps. Week Five becomes a circle date. The Detroit Lions will plan protections and personnel with that in mind. The NFL is a timeline league. Health windows decide matchups as much as schemes. Today’s recap keeps the calendar front and center for Detroit and the division. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nflpuplist #packersdraft #micahparsonsacl #brandoncisse #keithabney #jagerburton #danidennis-sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A viral claim tried to hijack Detroit Lions news this week. It said Detroit invited five-time All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio to rookie minicamp. The post was fake. The Lions do not even have a rookie minicamp this week. The copy gave itself away. How the Joel Bitonio story unraveled The headline never named a player. That is the first tell. The body called Bitonio a five-time All-Pro. He is a two-time first-team All-Pro, with second-team honors mixed in, which is not the same. Then came the clincher. It said the Detroit Lions invited him to rookie minicamp. Detroit canceled rookie minicamp. There is no field to walk onto. No itinerary. No invite. Veterans do not try out at rookie minicamps. Those sessions are for draft picks, undrafted rookies, and a handful of fringe vets looking for a lifeline. Think Jamarco Jones last year, a journeyman fighting to stick before he got hurt again. That is not Joel Bitonio. That is not Bosa. That is not Von Bell. Prominent NFL vets with proven resumes are not showing up to audition at a rookie camp that does not exist. No rookie minicamp, no veteran tryouts Other NFL teams are running rookie camps this weekend. Detroit is not. That has been public for days. Even if there were a camp, attendance is not mandatory for veterans. A free agent of Bitonio’s caliber would not be flying in to “earn” a look alongside rookies. The same bad actors pushed another false note, claiming Frank Ragnow was at rookie minicamp and gearing up for a return. That is not reality. If Detroit were engaging Bitonio, or if Ragnow were coming back in any capacity, you would see it from beat writers you recognize and outlets you trust. You would hear it in places you actually follow, not in a pop-up feed buried under six ads. How to spot the junk: missing names in headlines, sloppy details, breathless claims that skip basic facts, and sites that vanish as fast as they appear. If it sounds too good to be true, check reputable coverage first. What actually matters at left guard Would a veteran visit at mandatory minicamp be interesting? Sure. Do the Detroit Lions need it today? Not really. The left guard battle already has real competition. Detroit stocked the room with live bodies and playable options. Christian Mahogany is the wild card. He did not look the same when he returned from injury last year, but this is his shot at redemption. If he pops, the interior line stays strong without dipping into the veteran market. The Detroit Lions Podcast daily update is about clarity. No rookie minicamp. No star vet tryouts. A real competition at left guard. Filter the noise, and focus on what the roster is actually building. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #joelbitonio #rookieminicamp #patcaputo #christianmahogany #frankragnow #ai-generatedrumor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A first-round fit the room expected The Detroit Lions leaned into identity. On the Detroit Lions Podcast, Chris and Jeff Risdon welcomed draft analyst Chris Trepaso to dissect a class he graded very high. The focus opened on Blake Miller, the first-round pick who looks like a clean right tackle for Detroit’s scheme. The discussion framed it simply. Power. Size. Length. Run-game movement. Anchor against bullrush. Miller checked every box for a line that already mauls people. Trepaso said he would have mock-drafted Miller to Detroit over and over. He called the fit one of the best in the first round. If Penei Sewell shifts to the left side, Miller slides in at right tackle with no friction. The NFL comparison offered was Braden Smith. Reliable. Durable. Darn good. That kind of profile settles an offensive line and keeps the run game on schedule. The measurables backed the film. Over 34-inch arms. Around 6-foot-5 and near 320 pounds. A 32-inch vertical. A 40-yard dash around five seconds. Those traits do not guarantee success, but paired with sturdy tape they signal a safe, smart NFL selection. The hosts and guest aligned on this. The Detroit Lions prioritized continuity and immediate utility up front. Miller fits. Derek Moore targets the opposite edge Day two brought Derek Moore from Michigan. Familiar player. Logical need. The Lions have searched for a stable answer across from Hutchinson. They added DJ Wonnum, but the long-term solution remains open. Moore offers speed to power with shock in his hands. He sets edges with pop. He can convert upfield urgency into displacement at the point of attack. Trepaso acknowledged the testing dip. At the Michigan pro day, Moore’s vertical and broad jump were below average. That is a data point. The film still showed heavy hands, sturdy edges, and a bull rush that jars. The role in Detroit is straightforward. Win early downs with strength. Collapse the pocket when offenses slide help toward Hutchinson. Grow into the every-down threat they have chased for several seasons. Draft logic that matches Detroit’s plan The thread through both picks was fit. The Detroit Lions want to stay among the NFL’s best offensive lines. Miller sustains that standard and protects the run-first attitude that powers this group. The comp to Braden Smith underscored a vision for reliable right tackle play in a power running scheme. On defense, Moore’s profile addresses a glaring pinch point. He aligns with what the staff values on the edge. Heavy hands. Speed to power. Assignment soundness. The Detroit Lions Podcast conversation kept circling back to this. Detroit selected players who play like Lions. The grades reflect it. The roster construction does too. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #blakemiller #derrickmoore #jimmyrolder #lionsdraft #2026nfldraft #christrapasso #playercomps #kendricklaw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reactions to the Draft: What the Lions Accomplished and What Still Matters The dust has finally settled on the 2026 NFL Draft, rookie minicamps are around the corner, and the Detroit Lions are back on the field for offseason workouts. That makes this the perfect moment for a reset. On this episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast, Chris and Jeff Risdon break down their full 2026 NFL Draft reactions, what the Lions accomplished over draft weekend, and where the roster still leaves room for concern heading into the summer. The Lions entered the draft needing to reinforce depth, toughness, and long-term stability in several key spots. Brad Holmes once again leaned into his philosophy of building through the trenches and targeting players with versatility and football character. Detroit’s draft class may not have produced the flashiest national headlines, but there is a growing sense around Allen Park that this front office remains committed to constructing a roster that can sustain success rather than chase offseason buzz. That does not mean there are no debates. Quite the opposite. One of the biggest talking points from this year’s class is draft quality versus public perception. Some national analysts questioned whether Detroit reached on certain prospects or failed to address enough immediate-impact positions early. Locally, however, there is a very different tone surrounding the class. Lions observers who spend every day around this team tend to evaluate these picks through the lens of culture fit, positional development, and long-term roster planning instead of instant social media reaction. Remaining Concerns for the Detroit Lions Heading Into Summer Even after the draft, there are still legitimate questions surrounding this roster, and Chris and Jeff will spend time digging into the biggest ones on the show. Edge depth remains a topic despite Aidan Hutchinson anchoring the front. The secondary still feels like a group that could use another proven veteran presence before training camp opens. There are also questions about how quickly some younger players can step into rotational roles on defense. On offense, much of the conversation continues to orbit around Jared Goff and how the Lions balance maximizing the current competitive window while still preparing for the future. Detroit believes it can compete in the NFC, but expectations have changed. This is no longer a rebuilding football team. The standard inside the building is winning playoff games, and every offseason move is now viewed through that lens. That shift has also changed the way the Lions are covered nationally. For years, Detroit existed mostly as a punchline or an afterthought in broader NFL conversations. Now the scrutiny is different. Every draft pick, every coordinator decision, every contract move gets debated at a national level. Chris and Jeff will examine whether the national coverage truly understands what Detroit is building or whether local coverage still provides the clearest picture of where this franchise stands. The Conversation Continues on the Detroit Lions Podcast This episode is more than just a recap of the draft. It is a snapshot of where the Lions sit as the offseason enters its next phase. The roster looks stronger in some places, thinner in others, and the expectations around this team remain as high as they have been in decades. Join Chris and Jeff Risdon on the Detroit Lions Podcast as they break down the full Detroit Lions offseason picture, react to the 2026 NFL Draft, discuss remaining concerns, and look ahead to what comes next for a franchise trying to turn promise into sustained success in the NFL. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #adultdraft #bestplayeravailable #blakemiller #derekmoore #keithabney #internalpushback #meettheplayer #confirmtheboard #long-termplan #otasinallenpark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vikings zig past the mock‑draft favorite On Daily DLP, the Detroit Lions Podcast turned to the NFC North. Jeff Risdon welcomed Tyler Fornes to unpack Minnesota’s draft and a loud pivot at No. 18. Oregon safety Dylan Tieneman sat there. The Vikings did not take him. Tyler was not surprised. He carried a high third round grade on Tieneman and ranked him 47th on his board. He saw a roof safety who fits the run and tackles from depth. He did not see a maneuverable chess piece. In the box, running backs bowled him over. Coverage traits did not pop on film. The industry went the other way. The mock‑draft data told the story. Tyler tracked nearly 600 mocks. Tieneman appeared in 40.5 percent of them for Minnesota. In the final four days, 69 of 107 mocks slotted him there. A February 24 projection from Daniel Jeremiah helped set the lane. A strong combine kept the lane clear. Minnesota still passed. Brian Flores’ blueprint at safety The coordinator’s values mattered more than the mock tide. Brian Flores does not prioritize safety early. He prioritizes intelligence. He prioritizes experience. That steered the room away from a premium investment at the position. Minnesota targeted traits that fit that approach and added Jacoby Thomas to embody it. Will he hit? That is unknown. The process aligned with Flores’ philosophy, not the consensus board. Caleb Banks’ profile: power, burst, and a foot break At the top of Minnesota’s board, two unicorns stood out for Tyler: Kenyan Saddiq and Caleb Banks. Saddiq offered hyper athletic upside. A developmental tight end who could function as a wide receiver three. In the right offense, heavy personnel creates answers. Kyler Murray thrives in those looks. The idea was to swing for difference‑making traits in a class light on sure things. Banks brought rare tools with real risk. He broke his foot in a non‑contact combine drill. When healthy at Florida and locked in, his size and movement defied norms. Planet theory stuff. Jeff noted the blend of instant speed and brute power that Detroit fans once saw with Ndamukong Suh. The comparison was about traits, not the player. The upside case is obvious. So is the medical flag. Detroit context from inside the division The conversation framed a broader NFC North trend. This draft felt flat at the top. The best players came at safety, off‑ball linebacker, offensive tackle, and running back. Not sizzle positions. Both hosts noted how teams, including Detroit and Minnesota, leaned into the trenches early. The Detroit Lions angle is clear enough. Know what your rival values. Understand how Flores builds his defense. Then plan accordingly. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #2026nfldraft #minnesotavikings #nfcnorth #calebbanks #keithabney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside the draft grind with Emery Hunt Jeff Risdon opened the Detroit Lions Podcast with a popular request. Emery Hunt returned for a post-draft wrap and a real look at draft week on television. Hunt split days and nights between CBS Sports HQ studios in Fort Lauderdale and Connecticut. Days ran from 8 AM to 6 PM before the handoff north. That meant the 8 o’clock show, the 9 o’clock show, a 10:30 segment, a noon show, and more. No cheat sheet. No one in his ear telling him what to say. He described a car wash of segments where months of scouting get squeezed into 30 to 45 seconds. The red light comes on and there is no break. Preparation carries the day, but producers are juggling their own chaos. They are not feeding schools or names on the fly. Talent has to be ready, precise, and fast. Miss one name and that’s all social media remembers. The NFL draft can feel like a sprint made of thousands of details. Why Blake Miller fits Detroit at right tackle Then came the Detroit Lions. First round, Blake Miller, right tackle, Clemson. Right tackle matters here. That’s where he played extensively at Clemson, and that is what the Lions need. Hunt liked the pick and the fit. He cited excellent first step quickness that gets him into the fight fast. He praised Miller’s movement skills and the ability to mirror a defensive end. The tape shows competence in pass pro and in the run game. Clemson can run it to both sides, and Miller works on both ends of the offense. On Hunt’s grading scale, Miller landed a 78.5. That is a high second-round grade, close enough that taking him in round one drew no complaint. The NFL translation looks clean. Clemson runs a pro style offense. That experience matters in Detroit. Jeff pointed out the value of coming from that structure, especially when a player needs to start right away. Pro-ready traits and immediate expectations Will Miller step in now? Hunt agreed the traits and athleticism support that. He has logged a lot of games. He moves well. He can mirror. He anchors and runs. The right tackle emphasis in Detroit aligns with his resume. The Lions do not need to project a position change. They can plug a natural right tackle into a clear role. The conversation also touched on how college context can cloud projection. One Lions pick arrived from a Kentucky offense that offered little useful pro tape. Miller’s situation is the opposite. His background speeds the transition. That is the through line. Detroit targeted a right tackle. They found one who played right tackle at a high level, in a system that teaches Sunday rules. On this Detroit Lions Podcast, that clarity stood out as the draft’s early win. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #2026nfldraft #emoryhunt #blakemiller #keithabney #ufl #erickhunter #lukealtmeyer #jimmyrolder #skylergill-howard #kendricklaw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

High-floor bet on Blake Miller at 17 The Detroit Lions Podcast used May 4 to cut through the noise on NFL draft grades and focus on fit. The theme was steady floor over splash. Blake Miller at No. 17 fits that. He arrives as a ready-to-play NFL starting right tackle. Clemson ran a pro style offense. He worked next to an in-line tight end. He protected a pocket passer in Cade Klubnik, who could move some but played structure. That background matters for Detroit’s plan up front. Miller’s presence helps mitigate Jared Goff’s biggest limitation, mobility. A sturdy offensive line keeps the offense on schedule. The Lions had that baseline before last season and aim to restore it. Miller projects as a dependable answer, much like Taylor Decker in profile even if he plays the opposite side. Expect a couple snaps each game where you want a little more. That is life picking 17th, not in the top 10. The trade-off is reliability. The show also noted he was in the mix when picking a favorite Lions selection this year. Derek Moore’s quick wins reshape the edge room Derek Moore brings another sturdy floor. Usage at Michigan was odd. He could make a splash play, then sit a series and a half. Coaching and deployment did not always match his strengths. Even so, the traits are clear. He is a quick-win rusher who can generate instant pressure off his first move. That immediacy is the appeal. Think 2.2 seconds instead of 2.4 to 2.6. Those fractions change outcomes. Aidan Hutchinson creates steady pressure and finish, but often works through a longer path. Moore can complement that with earlier disruption. Expect Moore to alternate with DJ Wonnum, a power-based end who is not a pure speed threat. The rotation should be cleaner. The Senior Bowl tape matters here too. Moore beat third-rounder Markel Bell with shock and quickness, a snapshot of what Detroit wants more of on the edge. How the draft graders stacked the class Aggregate draft grades place the Detroit Lions in the middle of the NFL pack. Rene Buettner’s annual compilation slotted Detroit 16th with a 2.89 GPA, a B-plus average. The ledger included two A-minuses from Chad Reuter and Vinnie Iyer, many Bs and B-pluses, and a few C-pluses. The outside read tracks with the show’s tone: satisfaction with the top of the class, minor quibbles about ceiling. The host made one more point on process. Immediate grades are noise. Real evaluation lands after rookie deals. He plans to grade the 2022 and 2023 classes when those first contracts are over. For 2024, the takeaway is simple. Detroit emphasized high floors early, added early-pressure potential with Moore, and reinforced the offensive line with Miller to keep the offense on time. That is a coherent bet for this roster. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #blakemiller #derrickmoore #detroitlionsdraftgrades #clemsonfootball #keithabney #skylergill-howard #isaacteslaa #taifelton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices