This is a website dedicated to covering the Detroit Lions and the NFL. We don’t get a lot of chances to use the word “hostage.” But thanks to Lions head coach Dan Campbell, we get to do it. We’re talking about the Lions, not the underrated 2005 Bruce Willis movie.

In talking about some of the young players the Lions have on their roster on Wednesday, Campbell said he liked where the Lions were with youth, but that the team was not going to let anyone hold them hostage.

It was an interesting phrase to use when talking about young talent. One that deserved a follow-up question to get some elaboration. Once we got that, the phrase made so much sense.

“I think there’s always a balance when you get into the season of, there could be a player that is a tick better. He’s an older player, he’s a veteran player, but if you really feel like a young guy is learning from his mistakes and is growing, not making the same mistake twice, and you feel constant growth, at some point it’s time to push them into that position and let them go, because in about four weeks they will be better, and then they’ll continue to grow from there. If that’s not showing up, I don’t care who those players are. We’re not going to do it.” Campbell said. “We need to see growth, like we need to see development. At some point, you can’t wait anymore. It’s not fair to everybody else on this roster, or the coaches, or us, or anybody.”

There you go. The Lions don’t want to be held hostage to a timeline. If you’re not getting it and you’re not moving forward, the Lions aren’t going to wait for you anymore. That’s one of the major shifts in this team’s thought process this offseason.

So then you start thinking about who fits this bill. These are the players that came to mind:

OT Giovanni Manu

Probably the most obvious name. The Lions have been incredibly patient with him because he’s such a massive developmental project. But Campbell’s comments suggest there comes a point where growth has to show up on the field, and if it doesn’t this year, that could be it for him.

CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

You don’t want to think about losing a second-round pick, but it’s time to show it if you’re Rakestraw. It’s been two injury-filled seasons, and if he gets hurt again, that might just do it for him. It sucks, but the Lions seem like they don’t want to wait around to see if he can get it under control and maybe be good on the field.

RB Sione Vaki

He’s not a roster bubble guy, but a player whose role has to become clearer. The Lions love him, and he’s probably not going anywhere because of his special teams prowess, but at some point, he either becomes a running back for this team or they just give up on that idea and move to the next guy.

LB Trevor Nowaske

Former developmental success story who now has younger players pushing behind him. Campbell’s comments apply to everyone, not just draft picks. Nowaske has to take that next step and really stand out, or someone is going to jump him.

OT Colby Sorsdal

This is year four for Sorsdal, and his injury last year kind of saved him and hurt him at the same time. This is probably his best chance to show it this year, with a chance to land that third tackle spot or maybe even the swing tackle job. But this is likely the last shot.

DL Levi Onwuzurike

He’s had some moments where he’s looked really good, but those moments have been wrapped in injuries, and last year was the worst part. He’d seemingly finally found his footing in 2024 and then suffered a torn ACL at the end of the season that cost him the 2025 season. He was expected to be cut, but a loophole in the CBA allowed the Lions to keep him at essentially half the price. But how much longer can they wait for him?

Other names that come to mind

• DL Mekhi Wingo: Felt like a steal on draft night, but just hasn’t jumped off the page yet
• DL Myles Adams: You keep hearing about him from coaches, but he’s been here since 2024, and they just won’t put him back on the field.
• OL Michael Niese: This is Niese’s fifth season in Detroit. He’s played 12 regular-season snaps for them.