By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions’ 2024 season didn’t go as expected, despite being filled with promise. Plagued by brutal defensive injuries, their championship hopes were derailed. This felt like Detroit’s year—they had arguably the best roster in the NFL when healthy and were routinely dominating opponents.
Even with the setbacks, the Lions managed to win 15 games and secured the NFC’s top seed. Unfortunately, their hard-earned bye week wasn’t enough, as they were stunned by the Washington Commanders in a shocking Divisional Round loss.
As if that wasn’t enough, the offseason is already bringing major changes. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have both moved on to head coaching roles. With those departures, there’s a legitimate concern that the Lions might take a step back in 2025. One way they can avoid regression is by continuing to strengthen their roster with top-tier talent.
Fortunately for Lions fans, general manager Brad Holmes has proven to be one of the best in the business. He’s easily a top-three GM in the league and has shown a knack for building a competitive roster. The big question is: will he have the financial flexibility to make key moves this offseason?
The answer appears to be yes. According to Over The Cap, Detroit is projected to have over $46 million in cap space for the 2025 offseason. Given the number of high-priced contracts on their books, that’s impressive. This flexibility opens up plenty of possibilities for Holmes and his staff.
One likely move will be extending star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, which could free up more than $3 million. Another option is extending center Frank Ragnow, potentially saving an additional $6 million.
If needed, the Lions could also restructure left tackle Taylor Decker’s contract to free up around $10 million more. With all these options on the table, Detroit has plenty of room to maneuver and improve an already formidable roster.
Heading into 2025, the Lions are still in a strong position. Head coach Dan Campbell, along with any staff members who remain, will have this team ready to compete. Detroit is well-run from the top down and should continue to be one of the NFL’s top contenders.