NFL Analyst Issues Bold Take Over Detroit Lions' 2026 Season
December 21, 2025, Detroit, Michigan, USA: December 21 2025: Jahmyr Gibbs 0, Jameson Williams 1 and the Offensive Team during a huddle at the Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit MI. Brook Ward / Apparent Media Group. Detroit USA - ZUMAa234 20251221_zsa_a234_588 Copyright: xAMGx
December 21, 2025, Detroit, Michigan, USA: December 21 2025: Jahmyr Gibbs 0, Jameson Williams 1 and the Offensive Team during a huddle at the Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit MI. Brook Ward / Apparent Media Group. Detroit USA - ZUMAa234 20251221_zsa_a234_588 Copyright: xAMGx
The Detroit Lions had a disappointing 2025 season, finishing last in the NFC North with a 9-8 record. However, NFL analyst Zoltan Buday of Pro Football Focus believes that the Lions have all the necessary tools to be a force in 2026.
He wrote an analysis of all the 8 teams that finished last in their groups, and says the Detroit Lions are the most likely to turn their fortunes around this upcoming season.
“The Lions simply have too much talent on their roster not to compete for the NFC North. However, staying healthy has been a recurring issue over the past two seasons, particularly on defense,” he said
The Lions won the NFC North title back-to-back in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2025, however, they were held back by multiple injuries to their defense. In fact, Zoltan reported, “Defensive backs D.J. Reed, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph and Terrion Arnold — all projected starters — were on the field for an average of just 44% of Detroit’s defensive snaps, with none of them playing more than 746 of the Lions’ 1,104 snaps on that side of the ball.”
December 21, 2025, Detroit, Michigan, USA: December 21 2025: Amon-Ra St. Brown 14 during the Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit MI. Brook Ward / Apparent Media Group. Detroit USA - ZUMAa234 20251221_zsa_a234_011 Copyright: xAMGx
December 21, 2025, Detroit, Michigan, USA: December 21 2025: Amon-Ra St. Brown 14 during the Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit MI. Brook Ward / Apparent Media Group. Detroit USA - ZUMAa234 20251221_zsa_a234_011 Copyright: xAMGx
Still, Zoltan writes that the Lions have a great offense and that should serve them well in the coming season, provided they are more consistent. ”Offensively, the Lions still boast elite playmakers. Amon-Ra St. Brown’s 90.7 PFF grade ranked third among wide receivers, while Jahmyr Gibbs placed sixth among running backs with an 85.6 mark..." added the analyst.
The concern remains their offensive line, but with the arrival of new offensive coordinator Drew Pezting, the Lions should get more consistent.
Drew Pezting to Show New Hope to the Lions
The Lions have hired a new offensive coordinator in former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Pezting.
Speaking in the introductory video of Pezting’s hire, head coach Dan Campbell said, "I think he's going to fit in, really like a glove. To be a really good coordinator, I think you have to know all of it. You have to know the run game, you have to know protections. And certainly the pass game,"
"Drew, he checks every one of those boxes, man. It was about somebody being detailed. Have knowledge of it man," said Campbell.
Detroit Lions fans will certainly be hoping that Pezting will be able to bolster their offense this upcoming season.
What do you think of the Lions’ chances in the upcoming season? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Shyam Hari
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi