Detroit Lions Mailbag: Why Tyler Lacy keeps showing up, Teddy Bridgewater’s future, and a surprising roster battle
Detroit Lions Mailbag: A surprising roster battle, Teddy Bridgewater’s future, and why Tyler Lacy keeps showing up. We dive into some of the biggest questions lingering before training camp arrives.
No more OTAs, no more mincamp. It’s all a land of nothingness for the Detroit Lions from here till training camp. Let’s answer some questions.
If the Lions don’t make the playoffs in 2026, is Dan Campbell’s job in jeopardy?
No, that’s pretty unlikely. Would the seat get a little hotter? Sure. But any real pressure would mostly be external. The fans might call for it out of emotion, but the Lions would be pretty unlikely to upset the apple cart at this time.
There’s nothing about this team that says they’re in need of a rebuild or a major shakeup. Especially after four straight winning seasons. Something the franchise hasn’t done since 1972. Anything can happen, but it would be a shock if this team missed the playoffs with the roster they have and the schedule they have.
Thoughts on Tyler Lacy
The
Lions clearly see something there. Throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp, he was consistently getting reps in situations where Detroit wanted a bigger defensive end on the field, and in some cases he was working ahead of Levi Onwuzurike. That’s not nothing. The Lions like Lacy because he gives them versatility. He can line up as a big end, set a firm edge against the run, and then slide inside when they want more size and power on the interior.
He’s exactly the type of length-and-size player this coaching staff has been gravitating toward on the defensive line. That said, let’s pump the brakes a little bit. These practices were in pajamas. There was no real contact, no pads, and no way to truly evaluate how a defensive lineman is holding up at the point of attack. The reps are noteworthy, but we’re not really going to know what the Lions have in Lacy until training camp when the pads come on and he has to prove he can consistently hold the edge and win against NFL offensive linemen.
Is Teddy Bridgewater being groomed to be a future Lions coach?
He’s been asked if he wants to coach in the NFL, and he’s said that he doesn’t. I 100% do not believe him when he says that. Bridgewater and Dan Campbell have a very tight relationship, and I can see a world where he comes in as an assistant quarterbacks coach behind Mark Brunell and grows from there. It’s a wait-and-see type of thing until then.
Does Jahmyr Gibbs go God mode in 2026?
I’d argue that he’s already gone God mode. He’s got 38 touchdowns in the last two seasons alone and 3,768 total yards. That’s pretty good. Not everyone is doing that. Now, if you want to talk like Thanos, like numbers, if Gibbs goes out there and runs for 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns and then puts up another 700 yards and five touchdowns through the air, that would be about as God-mode as someone could probably get. The good news is that he has a way better offensive line to work behind in 2026.
A smattering of Lions questions
What camp battle are you most interested in, S, LG, CB? Left guard is the big one to keep an eye on since it’s going to be the biggest battle with the most combatants. Safety should be fun, but I need to see if Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are back yet. Terrion Arnold is going to win that corner job, and Roger McCreary should have the slot locked down. Not much of a battle there.
What undrafted Rookie not named Lucas has the best shot to make the team? I would say both Luke Altmyer and Miles Kitselman have pretty good possibilities of making the roster this year. They both bring something to the table, even if they probably wouldn’t play a lot or at all.
With all the additions at WR, is there an edict to update talent, depth, and the return game? The prime thought process was replacing Kalif Raymond. They want guys who can do gadget plays and return me on kicks and punts. Greg Dortch is likely that guy, but competition can help you find some other options. Plus, it’s beginning to look like Jackson Meeks is full-on moving to tight end. He might have had a shot at being that fifth or sixth receiver this year.
How would u handicap the chances of Vaki and Manu? I wouldn’t even put them in the same category. Vaki is worlds ahead of Manu. I get that it doesn’t seem that way because he’s not producing as a running back, but he is truly one of the best special teams players on this team and has a chance to be one of the best in the league. That matters a lot. Even if it’s not super sexy. I don’t see Manu making the 53-man roster this year.
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