By Blessing 
Is This a Wake-Up Call? 4 Key Takeaways from the Lions’ Preseason Loss to the Chargers
Let’s be honest—nobody wants to panic over a preseason game. Most fans know better than to take the results too seriously. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to take away from what we saw Thursday night.
The Detroit Lions opened their 2025 preseason in the Hall of Fame Game, and it didn’t go as planned. The Los Angeles Chargers dominated from start to finish, handing the Lions a lopsided 34-7 loss in Canton, Ohio. Whether it was shaky quarterback play, growing pains for young defenders, or struggles along the offensive line, Detroit got a tough but valuable early look at where the depth chart really stands.
Here are four things we learned in the Lions’ preseason opener.
1. Quarterback Depth Looks Wobbly
It was a rough night under center for both Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker. Allen got the start with the second-team unit and never quite looked in rhythm. He threw two interceptions in the first half, with the first nearly turning into a pick-six. One especially ill-timed throw toward the sideline was both late and underpowered—a dangerous combo that NFL defenses don’t forgive.
Tom Kennedy was the intended target on that play, running a deep out toward the boundary. That’s a throw that requires sharp timing and a strong arm—Allen delivered neither.
.
Things didn’t get any better when Hooker took over after halftime. Working mostly with third-stringers and beyond, Hooker was under constant pressure as protection repeatedly broke down. His tendency to bail from the pocket early didn’t help matters either. While he’s still developing, Hooker’s outing was a reminder that he’s far from game-ready.
2. Ennis Rakestraw is Still Finding His Footing
Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is one of the players Detroit fans have high hopes for this season, but his preseason debut showed he’s still adjusting to the pro game. After flashing some potential in training camp and earlier last season, Rakestraw missed significant time with a nagging hamstring injury. That lost time is showing.
Early in the game, Rakestraw was lined up in press coverage on third down. He attempted to jam the receiver at the line but got turned around, allowing his man to break free down the sideline. Later, he missed a potential tackle for loss and got flagged for illegal hands to the face—two plays that wiped out otherwise positive reps.
Still, there’s reason for optimism. Rakestraw has the traits to thrive at this level, and the Lions’ coaching staff has a proven track record of developing young talent. The key now is staying healthy and stacking consistent practice reps.
3. Ahmed Hassanein Turned Heads
If you’re looking for a silver lining, it came in the form of Ahmed Hassanein. The second-year defensive lineman—who’s only been playing football for six years—looked right at home on Thursday night.
Hassanein was consistently disruptive at the line of scrimmage, using fast, aggressive hands to beat blockers and create pressure. He finished with four tackles and was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable defensive outing.
He recently shared with reporters that he studies Aidan Hutchinson’s pass-rush moves and tries to apply them during his own reps. That effort is clearly paying off. Hassanein’s development might be one of the more exciting stories to watch as preseason continues.
4. Offensive Line Depth Needs Work
We already know what the starting offensive line looks like when fully healthy, and it’s one of the Lions’ greatest strengths. But beyond the top group—and swing tackle Dan Skipper—there’s plenty of uncertainty.
While veteran Kayode Awosika and Jamarco Jones had a few decent snaps, the overall performance from the backup offensive linemen left a lot to be desired. The second half was especially rough, with missed assignments and weak protection contributing to just 59 total yards of offense.
With the ongoing competition at center between Graham Glasgow and rookie Tate Ratledge, the coaching staff has its hands full. Development from younger players like Colby Sorsdal, Kingsley Eguakun, and Giovanni Manu will be crucial. Offensive line coach Hank Fraley no doubt has a long to-do list coming out of this game.
Final Thoughts
It’s just one preseason game, but there are lessons to take from it. The final score may not count in the standings, but the tape doesn’t lie. This loss showed us who needs more time, who might surprise us, and where the Lions still have work to do.
The good news? There’s still time to course-correct—and Dan Campbell’s team has shown they know how to do just that.