By Blessing 
With the NFL preseason just a few weeks away, Detroit Lions fans can feel the excitement building. The team is gearing up for training camp, and while there are plenty of familiar faces on the offensive side of the ball, there are also some intriguing developments worth digging into.
Let’s take a deep dive into the Lions’ offense as it stands heading into camp, using ESPN’s unofficial depth chart since the team has yet to publish its own.
Quarterback
Jared Goff remains the undisputed starter under center. Since arriving in 2021 in a blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Rams, Goff has helped transform the Lions into serious contenders. Under his leadership, the team has made two consecutive division title runs, reached the NFC Championship Game, and gone 15-3 against division rivals over the past three years.
Last season, Goff delivered a near-perfect performance against Seattle, completing all 18 of his passes for two touchdowns and even catching one himself on a trick play. His full-season stats were impressive: 4,629 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 72.4% completion rate.
Behind Goff, things get a little murky. Hendon Hooker enters his third season, though he missed his rookie year recovering from an ACL tear. His future as the team’s long-term backup remains uncertain. When Goff briefly exited the playoff game against Washington, it was veteran Teddy Bridgewater who filled in, not Hooker.
Now, Hooker faces competition from journeyman Kyle Allen, signed earlier this year after a stint with the Steelers. Allen, now on his sixth NFL team, will challenge Hooker for the QB2 spot, and according to Tim Twentyman, it’s anyone’s job to win.
Offensive Line
Detroit’s offensive line has long been a strength, but changes are coming. With Kevin Zeitler signing with the Titans and Frank Ragnow announcing his retirement, the interior of the line is under renovation.
Graham Glasgow, a trusted veteran, is likely to slide over to center, a position he’s played before. That would make room for last year’s sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany to step in at left guard, while this year’s second-round selection Tate Ratledge looks poised to start at right guard.
That said, nothing is set in stone. Training camp and preseason games—including joint practices with the Dolphins and Texans—will give OL coach Hank Fraley ample time to test different combinations. Look for backups like Michael Niese, Kayode Awosika, and rookie Miles Frazier to compete for roles.
On the edges, things are more settled. Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell will hold down the tackle spots, anchoring what should still be a formidable unit. Dan Skipper will return as a versatile backup, while Colby Sorsdal will need to prove himself to stay on the roster.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams headline a wide receiver corps with explosive potential. St. Brown is already recognized as one of the game’s elite pass-catchers. Even when defenses know he’s Goff’s go-to option, he still finds a way to make plays and move the chains.
Williams’ breakout last season added a whole new dimension to the offense. After an injury-riddled rookie year and a bumpy sophomore season, he returned with a vengeance, notching over 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He also added a score on the ground, showcasing his expanded skill set.
Veteran Tim Patrick is expected to line up as the third starter. After recovering from a torn ACL in 2023, Patrick made a big impact late in the season, including two clutch touchdowns in a win over Green Bay.
Detroit also added new talent in the draft. Third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa and seventh-rounder Dominic Lovett will add depth and competition. GM Brad Holmes didn’t hold back in his praise for TeSlaa, calling him “my favorite wide receiver in this draft.”
Tight End
Sam LaPorta enters year three after what some critics called a “sophomore slump.” But with so many weapons on offense, his opportunities naturally dipped. Even so, LaPorta still caught 60 passes for 726 yards and seven touchdowns, plus a highlight-reel grab in the playoffs that reminded fans of his elite talent.
Brock Wright returns as a solid second option. Now in his fifth year, Wright has racked up 524 yards and nine touchdowns over his career, while also providing strong blocking. Shane Zylstra and new signing Kenny Yeboah will round out the group.
Running Back
Detroit’s ground game is as dynamic as it gets. The duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for nearly 2,200 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns last season. Gibbs added four more scores through the air, and together they form one of the most dangerous backfield tandems in the NFL.
What sets this team apart is its willingness to run in unconventional situations, like long-yardage downs. It keeps defenses guessing and opens up the playbook in creative ways.
Behind the main duo, Craig Reynolds brings reliability, while rookie Sione Vaki, a fourth-round pick in 2024, will also see time on offense and special teams.
Coaching Transition
One of the biggest storylines this year is the change in the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left to become the head coach in Chicago, paving the way for John Morton to take over.
Tanner Engstrand’s dual roles as Tight Ends Coach and Passing Game Coordinator have now been split between Tyler Roehl and David Shaw.
Morton inherits a high-functioning offense, but he’ll need to strike a balance between adding his own flavor and maintaining what already works. Fortunately, he has a solid foundation to build on, plus the backing of GM Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.
With preseason action just around the corner, there’s plenty to be excited about. Detroit’s offense has the talent, depth, and versatility to be among the league’s elite. The question now is how all these moving parts will come together.
Stay tuned as we turn our attention to the Lions’ defense and special teams in the coming days!