By Moses Joshua 
As Derrick Barnes cools off, an overlooked linebacker is quietly making a case for more meaningful snaps.
A Shift Brewing in Detroit’s Linebacker Room
Trevor Nowaske may not be a name many Lions fans circled when the season began, but the way things are trending, Detroit might have no choice but to take him far more seriously. With Derrick Barnes mired in a string of rough outings, the Lions’ depth is being tested — and Nowaske is starting to look like a potential answer.
Barnes’ struggles were strikingly visible in the Lions’ crushing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. Despite logging 64 snaps, he finished with just three tackles and spent most of the evening a step behind the play. Whether failing to contain Jalen Hurts, losing the edge to Saquon Barkley, or simply failing to make an impact, Barnes never found his footing. It didn’t help that this performance came one week after another underwhelming showing against the Washington Commanders — games that Pro Football Focus graded as his worst of the season.
Earlier in the year, Barnes looked like he might be taking a long-awaited leap, tallying 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks through six games. But the momentum has cooled, and Detroit can no longer afford to ignore the trend as they push to reclaim control of the NFC North.
Nowaske Making His Case — Quietly, but Convincingly
While Barnes has struggled, Trevor Nowaske has offered something the Lions desperately need: reliable flashes of impact.
Last season, Nowaske’s defensive work left plenty to be desired. A 52.1 PFF grade put him near the bottom of the league’s edge defenders, and his run defense wasn’t much better. This year, he’s largely been relegated to special teams and sits buried on the depth chart behind Alex Anzalone and recently returned Malcolm Rodriguez.
But in the little defensive action he has seen? He’s produced.
Before last week, Nowaske had only been on the field for 36 defensive snaps all season, yet still managed two tackles, three hurries, and a sack. Against the Eagles, he made the most of just four snaps — recording two tackles, including a critical tackle for loss on 3rd-and-1 that forced a punt. In only a tiny fraction of Barnes’ playing time, he outperformed him.
Production is production, and Nowaske is giving the Lions more than some of the players ahead of him.
Why Detroit Must Expand Nowaske’s Role
No one is suggesting Nowaske suddenly become a 30-snap-per-game player. But Detroit has every reason to carve out at least 10 snaps a week for him — especially in situations that match his strengths.
The Lions don’t just need better linebacker play; they need trustworthy run defense. Barnes and Grant Stuard haven’t consistently provided it. Nowaske, however, has shown he can.
If the Lions begin incorporating him earlier in games, particularly in short-yardage and run-heavy situations, they can gather a real sample size to determine just how viable he is as a contributor. Should he continue to shine, it’s only fair that his role grows — and that Barnes sees some of his workload redistributed.
A Window of Opportunity — and a Chance at Redemption
With Derrick Barnes in a slump and the NFC North tightening, Detroit can’t afford to dismiss any potential spark on their roster. Nowaske is showing he might be more than just depth — he might be an asset waiting to be unlocked.
If he capitalizes on the opportunity, he could go from an afterthought to a critical defensive piece. And for the Lions, that could be exactly the boost they didn’t know they needed.