The Detroit Lions open the regular season against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field under unusual circumstances. In the offseason, the defending NFC North champions lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, several other assistant coaches, and two starting interior offensive linemen in center Frank Ragnow and right guard Kevin Zeitler.

While there’s still plenty of talent on the roster, it’s hard to deny how difficult it will be for the Lions to maintain their high level pf play from 2024.

So we asked Mike Payton, A to Z Sports’ Lions beat writer, to tell us how things are going in Detroit with so much turnover ahead of this season.

What have the new coaching staff pieces looked like, and how much will the Lions feel the difference after losing Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn?

Payton: So far, it’s going well. There’s an understanding of how losing coordinators can be a problem, but the Lions have been preparing for this since 2022, and they deliberately picked guys who can provide continuity. There’s never been a doubt that Kelvin Sheppard was going to be this team’s DC.

As far as John Morton goes, he was a big part of installing the Lions offense that we know, and so was Jared Goff, Mark Brunell, and, of course, Dan Campbell. There’s a reason Ben Johnson wanted him on his staff in Chicago and why Sean Payton was trying to get him to stay in Denver.

How has it been with the new formation on the interior of the offensive line?

Payton: So far, so good. This will be their first real test. We’ve seen them in training camp and joint practices, and there hasn’t been a lot to complain about. Let’s see how they look in a game with the bullets flying overhead.

Who are the secondary pieces at wide receiver and edge rusher, and what can they offer to the Lions?

Payton: The guy the Lions may look to get involved at receiver is third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa. He’s shown to be a solid blocker and a red zone threat. He’s also played a role similar to what Josh Reynolds and Tim Patrick played for the Lions. He’s a guy who consistently gets open and resets the downs.

At the edge, there is Al-Quadin Muhammad. He’s a solid run-stopper, but doesn’t bring premium pass rushing or anything like that. Mehki Wingo could get some reps off the edge, too. He’s a better pass rusher.

Detroit Lions News

Packers writer is not concerned about Green Bay being able to stop Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and the Lions’ run game

There’s confidence on the Packers defensive line being able to stop the run.

Mike Payton