2026 REBOUND: Can the Detroit Lions EMERGE from Last Place and CONTEND This Season?

Detroit Lions face a pivotal season after last year’s last-place NFC North finish—can this roster packed with blue-chippers finally break through? Joe Marino and Kyle Crabbs debate the Lions’ ceiling, highlighting Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jared Goff as franchise cornerstones. With Sam LaPorta’s injury status uncertain and David Montgomery gone, the offense leans on Gibbs for heavy production while questions swirl about Isaac Teslas’s growth and depth across the skill positions.

Defensive concerns take center stage as injuries strike safeties Kirby Joseph and Brian Branch and unexpected off-field issues thin the secondary. The hosts question Detroit’s pass rush beyond Aidan Hutchinson and scrutinize Brad Holmes’ roster-building and cash spending strategy. Can the Lions’ elite core overcome secondary depth, O-line transition, and lingering injury doubts? With a favorable schedule and potent star power, the path to an NFC North title could be within reach—if key questions get answered.

Photo Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.