The Detroit Lions’ 2024 season came to a screeching halt at the hands of the Washington Commanders, one stop short of the NFC Championship game. Considering the overwhelming list of injuries they dealt with as the year went on, they put up quite a fight.
Now, in 2025, the Detroit Lions are hoping to fight their way back into Super Bowl contention. They have new battles to face, but the addition of one experienced veteran could help add depth on the defensive side of the ball.
Lions could overcompensate for injuries with additional depth
Injuries are always a major factor in the NFL. You can’t avoid them, and some teams find themselves so desperately plagued with injuries to key players that what once looked like a potential Super Bowl run comes crashing down in the postseason.
It happened to the Miami Dolphins in the late weeks of what was an incredible season for the franchise in 2023, and in 2024, the Lions fell victim to the same fate.
In late December, Dan Campbell‘s team had a reported 21 players on injured reserve. Aidan Hutchinson was out for the year with a broken leg, standout defensive tackle Alim McNeill tore his ACL, and almost the entire cast of linebackers was out for one reason or another.
Defensive leader Alex Anzalone had broken his arm in Week 11, but fought his way back onto the field just in time for the playoffs. While he was back, Derrick Barnes was out for the year, and Malcolm Rodriguez had gone down in Week 13 with a season-ending torn ACL.
The list was seemingly endless, and in 2025, the franchise will be hoping for much better fortune in the injury department.
Still, you can never be too cautious, and in NFL Analysis’ latest free agency update, the Lions are predicted to land a veteran they know very well.
Linebacker Eric Kendricks spent the first eight seasons of his NFL career starring for the Minnesota Vikings. He was a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 2019, having recorded 85 tackles, 15 QB hurries, and 12 pass breakups in coverage.
Kendricks was with the LA Chargers in 2023, before spending the 2024 season with the Dallas Cowboys. He recorded 88 tackles while managing three sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
.@EricKendricks54 intercepts Garoppolo and returns it to the 29-yard line! #SKOL #NFLPlayoffs
📺: #MINvsSF on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/Px8XWz8F1p pic.twitter.com/mfHsJ2abd0— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2020
Now 33 years old, the veteran linebacker may not be an every-down kind of player, but the Lions wouldn’t need him to be. They have their starters, but Kendricks would offer excellent relief in a rotation, while being able to lead from the middle of the field.
Detroit didn’t draft any linebackers, and when you look at the depth at the position, it seems to be one of the thinnest groups on the roster.
Detroit challenged with adversity in 2025
The Lions are going to have to overcome several challenges in 2025 if they want to make it to the Super Bowl. For starters, their veteran center Frank Ragnow retired a matter of days ago, leaving an enormous hole behind, while taking a wealth of experience with him.
Jared Goff is going to need to quickly acclimate to a new center, which could be rookie second-rounder Tate Ratledge. The former Georgia Bulldog has never logged an official snap at center, but does have college experience practicing the position.
On top of that, Dan Campbell lost both of his coordinators to head coaching jobs in the 2025 cycle. The franchise did well to hold onto Ben Johnson for as long as they did, but his absence will be felt, now facing the Lions twice a season as the head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Aaron Glenn took the job with the New York Jets, meaning new coordinators on both sides of the ball for Detroit.
John Morton will take over the offense, having been the passing coordinator for the Denver Broncos over the last couple of years. Kelvin Sheppard was then promoted internally as the DC, having worked under Glenn with the defense.
It’s a challenging year for Detroit, but being healthy when they reach the playoffs has to be the top priority. To have had the season they had in 2024 and come away from it without winning a playoff game has to be a painful pill to swallow.
