By Blessing 
Detroit Lions fans are riding high after back-to-back NFC North titles, but one of the team’s most passionate supporters is waving a caution flag as the 2025 season approaches.
Marc Ryan, a host on 97.1 The Ticket, has long been a vocal Lions backer. However, in a recent show, he couldn’t hide his concerns about the direction the team is heading—especially after what he sees as a disappointing offseason.
“I can’t avoid this anymore. I do not think the Lions had a good offseason in any way, shape or form,” Ryan admitted during his July 5 broadcast. It was a moment of blunt honesty from someone who usually leans optimistic, but this time, he took off the rose-colored glasses.
More Losses Than Gains
Ryan’s frustration stems from what he views as a lackluster offseason filled more with exits than impactful additions. The Lions made an attempt to move up in the NFL Draft to snag edge rusher James Pearce out of Tennessee but failed to land him. That, combined with a quiet free agency period, left holes—especially in the pass rush.
“Za’Darius Smith, where is he? They’ve done literally nothing to improve the pass rush, where they were 23rd in sacks last year,” Ryan said. “Well, Marc, what about Aidan Hutchinson coming back? In what form? In what form is he returning?”
Ryan’s critique didn’t stop at defense. He also questioned how the offense would evolve with new leadership after offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left for the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears.
“Everyone knows that the best football of Jared Goff’s career was played with a head coach of the Chicago Bears,” Ryan pointed out. “Well, Marc Ryan, are you saying that he can’t do it with a new coordinator? Well, I will say something in support of what Jared Goff can do here… five times in NFL history a team has had to replace both coordinators in the same offseason. The team the next year was an average of only one game worse. That bodes well, but in Jared Goff’s case, I thought Ben Johnson was a huge part of his success.”
A Worrying Trend on the Offensive Line
Perhaps the most unsettling development for Ryan was the retirement of center Frank Ragnow, announced on June 2. Combined with other changes on the offensive line, Ryan fears the team may struggle to protect Goff and maintain consistency.
“The offensive line, folks, could be offensive, with everything that was lost. Defections, unexpected retirements. Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, boom, out of here,” he said.
On top of roster concerns, Ryan called attention to the brutal road schedule the Lions face in 2025. “The schedule, the most difficult road schedule, bar none, in the history of the National Football League, no hyperbole there,” he emphasized. “I’m not trying to be fatalistic in any shape or form, and I’m not trying to kill your mojo or play both sides of the fence here.”
Not a Super Bowl Year?
To wrap up his thoughts, Ryan challenged listeners to hold him accountable if he’s wrong.
“I’m not gonna kiss your butt. Should the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl this year, I want you to give me the greatest amount of hell that you’ve ever given any host here on this station,” he said. “I don’t deserve to enjoy it if they were to win a Super Bowl this year, because I’m telling you right now that I don’t believe they’re a Super Bowl contender.”
Ryan framed 2025 as a transition year—a season focused more on retooling than contending.
“New offensive coordinator, developing guys on the offensive line, re-tooling the offensive line, establishing, ‘Do we want Jameson Williams here long-term or not?’ I see this as a transition year for the Detroit Lions,” he concluded.
Whether you agree with Ryan or not, one thing’s clear—this season has the makings of a defining chapter for Detroit.