Last in the NFC North, and nobody has forgotten
Detroit opened 2025 with sky-high expectations and finished the year bottom of their own division. Jared Goff has no interest in living through that again.
The Lions host New Orleans on Sunday to open the season.
“I think it puts a bit of a chip on your shoulder, but we are pretty driven from within. We want to win a title and be the last team standing,” the quarterback said. “Last year left a bad taste, but we’ve got who knows how many chances ahead of us to put it right.”
He is on his third offensive coordinator in three years. Dan Campbell brought in Drew Petzing this offseason, after a 2025 in which a rotating cast of play-callers, Campbell included, failed to fill the hole Ben Johnson left behind.
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The offense is not the problem
Jahmyr Gibbs has just signed a three-year, $67.5 million extension. Eighteen touchdowns last season. There may not be a more complete runner in the league right now.
Amon-Ra St. Brown owns four Pro Bowl selections. Jameson Williams is still one of the deep threats defensive coordinators lose sleep over. Sam LaPorta is back after a back injury cost him chunks of last year.
The line has been reshaped heavily, and that is the variable. If it holds, this attack rolls over people.
“We worked really hard in the offseason to get better and add pieces,” Goff said. “Drew has been outstanding.”
Then you look at the back four
Aidan Hutchinson will still terrorise quarterbacks. Behind him, things get uncomfortable fast.
Starting cornerback Terrion Arnold has been released for legal reasons. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, the two best safeties on the roster, sit out at least the first four games while they recover.
New Orleans could not have picked a better week to visit. They missed the playoffs as well, then closed hot under Kellen Moore, taking four of their last five. Tyler Shough, a second-round pick last year, put up 10 passing touchdowns and three on the ground in 11 appearances.
“They finished hot. They found their rhythm,” Campbell admitted.
Chris Olave is the main target again, fresh off a four-year, $132 million extension signed in July and two 1,100-yard seasons out of his last three. Travis Etienne arrived from Jacksonville on a four-year, $48 million deal and splits the backfield with Alvin Kamara, whose knee limited him in Wednesday’s practice.
The Saints have their own absence. Cameron Jordan is out with a hamstring. He and Chase Young accounted for 20.5 sacks between them last season.
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