By Moses Joshua 
Veteran linebacker returns with renewed vision, maturity, and purpose in pivotal SAM role
A Familiar Face Returns to an Evolving Defense
As the Detroit Lions prepare to build on last season’s defensive growth, the return of linebacker Derrick Barnes to the starting lineup offers a significant boost to a unit teetering on the edge of elite status. With 10 of 11 defensive starters returning and only one expected newcomer—free-agent cornerback D.J. Reed—the continuity on this side of the ball could be a game-changer for newly promoted defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
Barnes, now entering his fifth NFL season, brings back more than just experience. He brings hard-earned wisdom, maturity, and a deep understanding of one of the most complex roles in Detroit’s defensive scheme: the SAM linebacker.
The SAM Role: A Demanding Hybrid
Detroit’s SAM linebacker isn’t your average edge defender. The position demands the versatility to set the edge in the run game, drop into coverage in space, and contribute to the pass rush. In other words, the SAM must be part linebacker, part edge rusher, and part safety—all in one.
Barnes has proven capable of this hybrid role in past seasons, but an injury last year forced him to take a step back physically. Mentally, however, he leveled up.
“He wasn’t just sitting on the couch and feeling sorry for himself,” said linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton. “He’s had a chance to really mature, and I think this year is going to be a good season for him.”
That period on the sidelines served as a catalyst for growth. Barnes became a student of the game, studying film and deepening his understanding of offensive tendencies and his own responsibilities.
“Over the years D. Barnes has progressed year in, year in, year in and year in,” Hamilton added. “That injury set him down and allowed him to be even more of a student of the game… he’s going to take his game to the next level.”
Defense Built on Stability—and a Few Wild Cards
With Aidan Hutchinson returning as the team’s centerpiece pass rusher, and playmakers like Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch forming arguably the league’s top safety duo, the Lions are leaning heavily on both star power and cohesion. But they’ll also need players like Barnes to make a leap.
The edge opposite Hutchinson remains a question mark due to Marcus Davenport’s health history, and second-year corner Terrion Arnold will need to avoid a sophomore slump. In this mix, Barnes is no longer just a depth piece—he’s a cornerstone.
His return in July as a full training camp participant is critical, especially as Sheppard fully installs his own defensive blueprint. Barnes not only brings back production, but also a voice in the locker room and a clear understanding of what this scheme demands.
A Player With Something to Prove—and a City Behind Him
Barnes signed a new contract this offseason—a vote of confidence from the front office and a clear signal that Detroit values his unique skill set. And for Barnes, that belief hasn’t gone unnoticed.
There’s an undercurrent of gratitude in how he’s approached this comeback. He stayed around the team facility, put in the work behind the scenes, and positioned himself to be more than just a rotational player.
If his development continues as projected, Barnes could become one of the quiet catalysts that turn Detroit’s defense from “dangerous” to “dominant.”
Final Word
In a division loaded with offensive talent—and real competition—Detroit’s margin for error on defense will be slim. That’s why Derrick Barnes’ return is more than a feel-good story. It’s a foundational piece in a larger puzzle, one that might just determine how far this team can go.
And if Barnes takes that next step?
Opposing offenses better be ready. Because Detroit’s defense just got its edge back—literally and figuratively.