🦁 “The Other Weak Link”: Why Lions’ Offensive Interior Could Derail Their Super Bowl Push

The Detroit Lions are rolling into the 2025 NFL season with the swagger of a true contender. The defense is stacked. The quarterback is dialed in. The receiving corps is dangerous. And Aidan Hutchinson is a full-blown menace. But there’s one area of the roster that isn’t getting nearly enough attention — and it could be the hinge that swings the entire season.

Yep, we’re talking about the interior offensive line.

🧱 What Happened to the Wall?

Detroit has long prided itself on its offensive line. Between Penei Sewell and the recently retired Frank Ragnow, the Lions boasted one of the most formidable fronts in the NFL. But Ragnow’s unexpected retirement left a crater-sized question mark at the center of the line — literally.

And while the Lions did sign Trystan Colon and drafted Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier, it’s far from a guarantee that these pieces will click by Week 1. Ratledge, for one, only just signed his rookie deal. And Colon, while dependable, isn’t exactly a household name anchoring your line on a deep playoff run.

🛑 Wait — I Thought EDGE Was the Big Concern?

You’re not wrong. Edge rusher has gotten all the headlines. But here’s the twist: Detroit feels fine there. Aidan Hutchinson is back. Marcus Davenport has promise. And even Za’Darius Smith has left the door open for a return.

So while fans and analysts have been pointing at the defense’s edge, the real pressure might be coming from the inside out.

🔄 The Case for a Veteran Move

According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder, Lions GM Brad Holmes would be wise to trade for a proven interior lineman — not another defensive body.

The free-agent market? It’s not dry. Big names like Brandon Scherff (5-time Pro Bowler) and Shaq Mason (146 starts, 2 Super Bowl rings) are still waiting for a call. Even Will Hernandez, just 29 and with nearly 100 starts, offers a younger but battle-tested option.

Plugging one of these veterans in gives the Lions insurance, experience, and a better chance of keeping Jared Goff upright and confident.

🧠 This Isn’t About Flash — It’s About Foundation

Championship teams win in the trenches. You can have all the flash on the outside — receivers, corners, play-callers — but if your center is collapsing and your guards can’t hold the pocket, it’s game over.

Detroit isn’t in panic mode (yet), but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be proactive. The Super Bowl window is real. And with it comes pressure. This isn’t the time to “wait and see” if rookies pan out. It’s the time to reinforce.

⏳ The Bottom Line

The Lions are a powerhouse in the making. But as we edge toward training camp, one overlooked gap could become their undoing. Brad Holmes has built smart — but the next move might be the most important of all.

Add a veteran. Fortify the front. Keep Goff safe. And don’t let the quietest weak link become the loudest regret of the season.