Through five games of the 2025 NFL season, the Detroit Lions, once again, look like one of the premier teams in the entire league. Despite losing both defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the New York
Jets and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears after the 2024 season, coach Dan Campbell has replenished his coaching ranks, showing the world his eye for talent is something that should never be questioned again.
There have been a lot of bright spots to choose from during the Lions’ four-game winning streak. On the offense, quarterback Jared Goff is playing some elite-level football while displaying his mastery over the system offensive coordinator John Morton is employing in Detroit. Along the offensive line, second-year left guard Christian Mahogany and rookie right guard Tate Ratledge appear to be settling in nicely. At receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown is looking as locked in as ever in his fifth year as a pro, and has six touchdowns to show for it.
On the other side of the ball, Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has his unit clicking, too. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson should be a finalist for some hardware once the season is over with, and rookie Tyleik Williams is becoming an impact player right in front of our eyes. There are obviously still things to clean up for Detroit, but there is also a lot to like from all of the position groups on the roster. Which group has been your favorite to watch thus far in the season?
My answer: I am going with the linebackers for several reasons. We knew they would be playing a major role in Sheppard’s defense, but what a lot of people weren’t aware of is how highly everyone thinks of linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton. Under he and the rest of the defensive staff, linebacker Jack Campbell is playing like one of the league’s best, Derrick Barnes is looking like one of general manager Brad Holmes’ best decisions, and Alex Anzalone is his usual playmaking self both in coverage and in run support.
Throw in the performances of Grant Stuard on special teams and Zach Cunningham in certain packages and you begin to understand why some think this is one of the best linebacker rooms in football.
What about you? Which position group has been your favorite to watch through five games of the 2025 NFL season? Let us know in the comments below.
