We're a few weeks into the offseason now. How are Detroit Lions fans doing? You good? You still upset? Maybe you're already looking towards the future. I know a lot of people who asked questions this week are. Lets answer some stuff. 

Should there be any urgency to get Goff's contract done, so it's out of the way and not looming?

— Jeff Koenig (@MIKoenig44) February 14, 2024

I don't know if I would say urgency. I don't think the Lions are up against it with this. They have some time, but I still think it's ultimately the first thing they do this offseason. Getting this deal done and out of the way can help the Lions plan for their future in March. If I had to guess, this gets done any day now and is in the books by the time free agency starts on March 11th. 

What role / impact do you think Mathieu Betts will have next year? How excited should we be about this signing from 1 to 10?

— Herman Chiu (@hermanChiu1) February 14, 2024

I am very interested to see what happens with Betts this July when the Lions head to training camp. There's always players that come to the NFL from the CFL, but it's not often that you see the guys that are award winners. four of the last five Most Outstanding Defensive Player award winners are still playing in the CFL. 

Betts is different though. This guy notched 18 sacks this past season with the B.C. Lions. That's not easy. The last guy to have that kind of production in the CFL and then head to the NFL was Cameron Wake. He became a four time All-Pro for the Dolphins. 

I'm not saying Betts is guaranteed to do that or anything, but I do believe he's not your average CFL player. I think he's a guy that could give someone like John Cominsky a run for their money come cutdown time and I think Betts is playing regular season football in Detroit next year. 

Do you think we cut Tracey Walker to receive 8 mill in cap relief?

— TJ Ronin (@Tj_Ronin) February 14, 2024

As much as I love Tracy Walker, this is probably the end of his story in Detroit. I think the Lions will make him a cap casualty unless he takes a pay cut to stay like Romeo Okwara did last year. If he doesn't he'll likely be playing somewhere else in 2024.  

Don’t know if this one is the kind of question you’re looking for. But any idea of when the new jerseys are expected to drop? Love the Podcast big fan of your work.

— Christian Sommer (@ChristianSomm11) February 14, 2024

Thanks Christian. Get ready for a shameless plug of our Detroit Pistons historical podcast Bad Boys & Beyond. You can hear us talk basketball history every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. 

I actually just wrote about this last week. If the Lions are indeed dropping new uniforms, we should see them sometime in April before the draft. 

Do Goff/Penei/Alim/St. Brown all get extensions this offseason?

— Nick (@Stbrownszn3) February 14, 2024

Goff will definitely get an extension this offseason. The only other one that I can see happening this offseason is Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions can use their fifth year option on Penei Sewell and get him locked up long enough to take care of his extension after next season. As far Alim McNeill goes, I'm sure the Lions want to keep him, I just don't know where a deal for him lands on their schedule. 

https://twitter.com/GerardiJeremy/status/1757762584567001391

I put the Lions in the same sentence as the 49ers or Chiefs when it comes to competence. The Lions have been very calculated in their approach and they only pick players that they feel best reflects that approach. They're also all about their culture and have not waivered from it. Lastly I have to say that they have been nailing it with continuity. Keeping the group together is the biggest thing of them all.   

The Lions have invested a year in Steven Gilmore after he looked good last pre-season. With the patience and development ability they've shown with Iffy and Barnes, is it reasonable to expect a leap from Gilmore next year?

— John Henry Smith (@jhsthethird) February 14, 2024

The Lions really liked what they saw from Gilmore at camp and in the preseason. That's why they essentially stashed him away on their 53 man roster. I think he needs more time before we see him have a possible Melifonwu type rise. That's exactly what it took for Melifonwu to get there as well. Same for Barnes. 

My guess is that we start to see more of Gilmore being active next season and as time goes on, we'll see what he can become as a finished product. I look forward to seeing him on the field in the preseason. There's something there with him.

My question is looking forward to the draft I feel offensive line needs some help for the near & long term term and more so the defensive side. What are your thoughts? Are there good players coming to the draft this year that fit the Lions needs?

— Desire 2BWF —Like D in T Lions Den (@2LisChrist2DisG) February 14, 2024

I definitely agree that the Lions should have an eye towards the future when it comes to aging offensive line. I think they'll probably go out and draft a guard in this draft so they can strengthen up that interior and possibly replace Jonah Jackson.

With that said, this Lions defense needs a facelift. The Lions are so close right now and building up the defense over the offseason could make the difference for them and push them over the hump. I think the majority of the focus needs to be on doing that right now. But offensive line is something to think about sooner than later. 

This Lions player could be in line to be a coach in the NFL someday soon

While the big part of the NFL coaching search is done, teams are still out there making coaching hires. The one thing I've noticed is that the league may be taking up a strategy the Detroit Lions have employed for a few years now. That's hiring former players to be coaches. On top of that, […]