Earlier this week, ESPN put out a list of the players and coaches most under pressure for the 2026 NFL season. No Detroit Lions made their list, but it certainly got me thinking.
This season is a big one for the Lions organization. Last year was their first significant step back under general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell, and the voices of the dissenters and doubters are starting to grow in volume. Whispers of the Lions’ “window being closed” are suddenly a little more audible, and some
are openly questioning whether the franchise will slide back to “same old Lions.”
Now, most of that is pure nonsense after one failed season. And if history is any indication, this era of Lions football thrives the most when the doubters are the loudest.
Still, there’s certainly a lot of pressure on this regime to compete and succeed this year.
Let’s put aside the obvious pressure on Holmes and Campbell, and talk about specific players.
Which Lions player is under the most pressure in 2026?
My answer: Because of the failures of the 2024 NFL Draft class, I think there’s a ton of pressure from the 2025 draft class to become young tentpoles of the franchise, and a Year 2 jump would do wonders for this team.
If Tate Ratledge can continue his progression and become a great-to-elite guard, it would help out rookie right tackle Blake Miller and Detroit’s center issues. If Tyleik Williams continues to be a strong run defender and adds on some pass rush juice, this defensive line has a chance to be really special. If Isaac TeSlaa can add yet another weapon to Detroit’s passing offense arsenal, there may be no defense that can stop them. And if Ahmed Hassanein can continue his impressive training camp, Detroit may have a defensive line rotation that would rival what the Seahawks had last year.
Outside of the 2025 draft class, there is going to be a lot of pressure on the left guard and center positions to make sure the offensive line returns to form. D.J. Reed needs to play at a CB1 level and stay healthy to help answer some serious questions at the cornerback position. And Derrick Barnes needs to step up and justify Detroit’s investment in him a few years ago.
Which other Lions players do you think are under the most pressure this season? Share your answers in the comment section below by signing up for a free account—and don’t forget to download the SB Nation app to make sure you get notifications every time someone replies to your comment!
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
