Normally it’s veterans helping young players in this league, but Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is reversing that role with two new players.

 

Terrion Arnold was one of the many players who we didn’t end up seeing on the field during OTAs, as the Detroit Lions were overly cautious with many players during their spring practices. However, talking to some of the players who were in attendance, it appears the second-year cornerback is still managing to make a positive impact with the team.

 

Normally with a young player like Arnold, they are taking in as much information as they can and being a sponge. With two new veteran additions to the secondary—cornerback D.J. Reed and defensive back Avonte Maddox—Arnold now has a couple of resources to learn from in what could be a Year 2-jump season.

 

However, according to both players, Arnold is giving as much as he’s getting. For Reed, Arnold—who has remained in Detroit during the offseason program—has been a great asset when it comes to learning the Lions’ defensive scheme.

 

“He hit me up a couple of days ago when I was practicing, and he was basically watching my film for me and telling me what I need to work on,” Reed said during OTAs. “And he was correct, too, with what he emphasized I needed to work on. So the next day, I went and worked on that.”

 

Yes, you read that right. A second-year cornerback is out there watching practice film of an eight-year veteran and offering sound advice. Pretty darn impressive for a 22-year-old.

 

His youth is also coming in handy. Avonte Maddox is also entering his eighth NFL season, and he thrives off the youthful energy that Arnold, along with Ennis Rakestraw (23 years old), Kerby Joseph (24), and Brian Branch (23), brings to the room. Here’s how he explained it to Detroit Football Network.

 

“(Terrion Arnold) is actually No. 1. I’m always telling him to take his medicine, calm him down a little bit,” Maddox said. “…It lifts me up. It makes me feel like I’m back to when I was their age, just cracking jokes. They’re like, what? 21? 22? I’m 29. I was jumping off the porch and walking around school when they were coming out the womb.”

 

Arnold is coming off the type of rookie season you’d expect from a first-round cornerback. There were flashes of really solid play mixed with a lot of learning opportunities. That experience alone should help him progress in 2025. However, defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend noted that Arnold is also going the extra mile this offseason.

 

“I think any expectation any time you get a chance to have as many reps as he had, it helps you,” Townsend said. “The only way you can get better is getting a chance to rep. He understands how they’re attacking him, and he found out about himself. ‘What do I do best? How can I make those strengths stronger, and my weaknesses, what do I do now, this offseason, to make them better?’ Just conversating throughout the process, before he got back.

 

“Then he grabbed me right now; we were in the office watching a tape just now. He is trying to be the best player he can be, and that’s what it takes. You have to work on your craft. You have to find out how you can get better in the offseason. He’s working (on) that.”

 

The Detroit Lions’ defense will have a new feel in 2025 under the direction of new coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.

 

In his first season with the new title, Sheppard will be tasked with mixing and matching the right pieces on a defense that appears to have plenty of versatility. If he’s able to make the right moves, the defense could anchor a potential postseason run.

 

Here’s an updated defensive depth chart prediction following the conclusion of the Lions’ OTAs.

 

Nose tackle

Starter: DJ Reader

Backup: Roy Lopez

Reserves: Tyleik Williams, Chris Smith, Brodric Martin.

 

Reader will be the defensive anchor as long as he’s healthy, and Lopez provides very reliable veteran depth. For the rookie Williams, a rotational role on run-stuffing downs may be the baseline with the opportunity to earn more as he develops.

 

Few players will have as much at stake as Martin does heading into training camp. The clock is ticking on his development, so it will be time for him to prove he has grown. Smith is a well-liked player who has been reliable in spot duty throughout his time with the organization.

 

Defensive tackle

Starter: Levi Onwuzurike

Backup: Pat O’Connor

Reserves: Mekhi Wingo, Myles Adams, Raequan Williams

PUP: Alim McNeill

 

Onwuzurike is the leader in the clubhouse to fill the void left by McNeill, who will return at some point in 2025. Exactly when he’s back remains to be seen, and as a result it will be important for players like Onwuzurike and O’Connor to step up.

 

Wingo is an intriguing option, but he’s also coming off a knee injury suffered on Thanksgiving and could be a PUP candidate if he’s not ready at the start of training camp. Adams is back for another go after playing a small role last season, and Williams is an intriguing veteran.

 

Defensive end (2)

Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport

Backups: Josh Paschal, Ahmed Hassanein

Reserves: Al-Quadin Muhammad, Mitchell Agude, Isaac Ukwu, Nate Lynn, Keith Cooper Jr.

 

Hutchinson and Davenport appear to be the lead pairing, with one of the biggest questions being whether Davenport can remain healthy and impactful. With Hutchinson, the Lions have one of the league’s best, and if they can find a reliable option opposite him they would benefit greatly.

 

Paschal will be steady as a run defender, and anything he can provide as a pass-rusher would be a massive bonus. Hassanein is a player to keep an eye on, as he plays with a relentless motor and could rise into having a role earlier than expected as a result.

 

Linebacker (3)

Starters: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes

Backups: Grant Stuard, Zach Cunningham, Trevor Nowaske

Reserves: Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner, DaRon Gilbert

PUP: Malcolm Rodriguez

 

Anzalone was absent from OTAs, and could be for the start of training camp as well if a new deal is not reached. As a result, Jack Campbell could begin camp as the defensive play-caller. Regardless, the trio of those two and Barnes will be the lead group.

 

Adding Cunningham to the mix is intriguing, as he was the NFL’s leader in tackles at his peak in 2020. Nowaske showed upside in his time amidst the team’s numerous injuries, while Pittman and Turner are strong special teamers. Rodriguez will provide a shot of life when he returns to the lineup.

 

 

 

A big jump from Arnold in his second season would be a big boost for the secondary, and he has the tools to be a shutdown corner. Right now, the veteran Reed is the top option, but the hope is that Arnold will prove capable of handling the various tough matchups on Detroit’s schedule.

 

Rakestraw has had another strong spring, and could put himself into a competition for a big role if Arnold doesn’t demonstrate the desired growth. Dorsey will likely assume his role as a gunner and can play in spot duty. Ya-Sin has plenty of experience and Thomas-Oliver was a late-season practice squad addition who will get a chance to show the coaches what he can do with a full offseason.

 

 

 

Before moving to the boundary out of necessity due to injuries last season, Robertson emerged as a reliable player at the nickel position. He handles the nuances of the position well, and his physicality and demeanor fits Detroit’s culture.

 

Maddox is a savvy veteran with experience playing all over the secondary, and as a result will be an asset for the defense. Ya-Sin also is a veteran playing in the slot, but his production has dipped over the last several seasons and as a result will need to earn his spot.

 

 

Reserves: Loren Strickland, Morice Norris, Ian Kennelly, Erick Hallett

 

The Lions have one of the best safety duos in the entire league, with Joseph and Branch both serving as dynamic talents who can hold down the back-end of the defense. Joseph was an All-Pro last season, and Branch could also challenge for that level of honor in 2025.

 

Maddox’s versatility will be extremely helpful, and he is the top backup option behind the two standouts. Jackson has the leg-up in the competition for the fourth and potentially final spot at this position, but Strickland and Norris each tasted opportunities last year, and Kennelly’s athleticism caught the eye of the coaching staff during the pre-draft process.

 

It’s been a tough week for Detroit Lions fans. With many already predicting the downfall of the team simply due to the loss of both offensive and defensive coordinators, the retirement of Frank Ragnow only adds another arrow to the quiver of doubters. It’s a massive loss, no doubt, and one Detroit now has months to try and recover from.

 

But let’s not spend all week mourning the loss of Detroit’s center. There are still plenty of good things to anticipate for the Detroit Lions’ 2025 season because this still remains one of the best rosters we’ve seen in this city in some time.

 

So today’s Question of the Day is:

 

What is the biggest reason to remain optimistic about the 2025 Detroit Lions?

My answer: The massive amount of blue-chip talent still on this team. Earlier this week, our own John Whiticar asked how much top-end talent the Lions have, and he concluded nine players. While that prediction dropped just hours before Ragnow reduced the list to eight, the following players remain on the team: Penei Sewell, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St.

 

Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Kerby Joseph, and Brian Branch. And that doesn’t even include some potential up-and-coming players, particularly on defense. Can Tyleik Williams make his way into the conversation? What about Terrion Arnold? And don’t forget a pretty deep foundation of role players who have proven to be solid contributors. I’m talking players like Kalif Raymond, David Montgomery, Alex Anzalone, D.J. Reed, DJ Reader, Tim Patrick, Taylor Decker, Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Amik Robertson—and a quarterback and special teams unit that has become very reliable.

 

Losing Ragnow is a massive loss. There is no getting around that. But this team has always been about much more than any single player. They’ll be just fine.

 

Why are you confident about the Lions going forward? Share your answer in the comment section.

 

The physical pain was one thing, but when he broke his arm on the second defensive play of the Detroit Lions’ playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, the mental anguish he felt over leaving his team in a bind at its most critical point in the season is what really threw Amik Robertson for a loop.

 

“Mentally, man, it was devastating,” Robertson told reporters after the Lions’ final practice of organized team activities. “I had my goals set for myself, but it happened. I didn’t question God.

 

“Everything happens for a reason, man. I’m in good spirits.”

 

Robertson played last season as the Lions’ primary slot cornerback and is expected to fill that role again this fall.

 

He moved to outside cornerback late in the season as the Lions navigated a slew of injuries on defense and helped hold Justin Jefferson to three catches in the team’s division-clinching Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

 

Robertson broke his arm two weeks later while tackling Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin in the Lions’ postseason opener and was escorted to the locker room by trainers. He underwent surgery that night, and said he used the extra down time he had during rehab this spring to spend with his family.

 

“I always look at a positive, take something positive out of it,” Robertson said. “But mentally I’m great, man. I’m in great spirits. Being able to get a lot of mental reps when I’m out there. … As of now mentally, I think I’m in a great head space.”

 

Robertson said he expects to be fully cleared “very, very soon,” and once he is he’ll join a secondary that’s positioned to take a step forward this fall.

 

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) poses for a photo next to cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) after practice during OTA at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 30, 2025.

The Lions return the best safety tandem in the NFL in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch and added D.J. Reed to start at the cornerback spot opposite Terrion Arnold. They signed veteran Avonte Maddox as a jack-of-all-trades backup, and Arnold and fellow 2024 draft pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. should take a step forward in Year 2.

 

“We know what we want to be, man, but this world is an action world,” Robertson said. “We want to go out there and prove it. Not only to our ourself but to these fans. The outside noise, we don’t worry about cause at the end of the day it’s going to shift.

 

“Once you’re doing good it’s going to shift. So as of now, man, we continue to trust one another, continue to build and become one of the best defenses in the league.”

 

Robertson called Reed, the Lions’ top free-agent addition of the offseason, “feisty” and said he “kind of remind(s me of) myself.”

 

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) grimaces as he is helped off the field after an injury in the first quarter against the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.

He said he feeds off doubters predicting a step back this fall for a Lions team that lost eight assistant coaches plus starters at cornerback (Carlton Davis), guard (Kevin Zeitler) and center (Frank Ragnow) this offseason.

 

“I want it no other way,” he said.

 

And he said he’s anxious to join a mostly-healthy defense on the field for training camp this summer.

 

“We’re going to let our actions speak, man, but just know we going to continue playing Lions football at a high level,” he said. “Last year didn’t go as planned, which we understand, but it’s a new year, man. Some new faces, new swagger, new fire. So I expect us to have a great season.”

 

Dave Birkett is the author of the book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline.” Order your copy here.

 

Lions’ tandem of Goff, Gibbs and St. Brown ranks among NFL’s best.

John Maakaron | 5 Hours Ago

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26).

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26).

 

The Detroit Lions boast one of the best returning groups of skill position talent in the entire NFL.

 

With quarterback Jared Goff leading the way, the Lions’ offense is armed with weapons at running back, wide receiver and tight end. Namely, the Lions have a returning First Team All-Pro at wide receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown and one of the game’s most electric running backs in Jahmyr Gibbs.

 

Sports Illustrated recently ranked each NFL team based on their “triplets,” which consisted of their quarterback, starting running back and top wide receiver. Detroit’s tandem of Goff, Gibbs and St. Brown ranked fifth.

 

“Goff’s season was marred by his disastrous performance in the NFC divisional round, but his regular season was elite, with 4,629 passing yards and 37 touchdowns while completing 72.4% of his attempts,” Verderame wrote. “His top target was St. Brown, who paced Detroit with 115 receptions, 1,263 yards and 12 scores. Then there’s Gibbs, a top-tier weapon who contributed 1,929 all-purpose yards and a league-high 20 rushing and receiving touchdowns.”

 

Last season, Goff was an MVP finalist while leading the Lions to a 15-2 record. Gibbs emerged as an elite weapon out of the backfield, while David Montgomery also serves as a solid option on the ground.

 

As for the receiver position, St. Brown has asserted himself as one of the best at his position in the game.

 

Jameson Williams also stepped up in a big way last season, as he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in 2024 and has excited the coaching staff with the way he has performed in offseason workouts.

 

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is known for his gritty leadership and unwavering toughness, but even the hardest men have their moments. That moment came this week when Campbell addressed the media for the first time since longtime Lions center Frank Ragnow announced his surprise retirement from the NFL. Fighting back tears and visibly emotional, Campbell paid tribute to the heart and soul of his offensive line — a player he called “one of the best humans I’ve ever coached.”

 

Ragnow, 28, officially announced his retirement after seven NFL seasons, all with the Detroit Lions. A Pro Bowler and team captain, Ragnow cited ongoing injuries and a desire to prioritize long-term health and family life as the main reasons behind his decision. His absence leaves a noticeable gap in the Lions’ offensive unit — both on the field and in the locker room.

 

During his press conference, Campbell was candid about the impact Ragnow had on the team.

 

> “This one hurts,” Campbell said, pausing to collect himself. “You talk about consistency, leadership, toughness — Frank brought all of that and more. You can’t replace someone like him. Not just his talent, but the man he is.”

 

Campbell’s emotional response was a reflection of the close-knit culture he’s cultivated in Detroit since taking over in 2021. Under his leadership, the Lions have transformed from a struggling franchise into a legitimate playoff contender, and Ragnow has been a cornerstone of that rebuild. Known for playing through injuries and never complaining, Ragnow epitomized the grit that Campbell has instilled in the team.

 

Ragnow’s decision was not entirely unexpected. He dealt with chronic toe and groin injuries that limited his ability to train and perform at the level he demanded of himself. Still, the timing caught many off guard — including Campbell.

 

> “We had conversations, and I knew it was weighing on him,” Campbell said. “But when he made it official, it hit me hard. You don’t just lose a player; you lose a brother.”

 

Ragnow was selected 20th overall by the Lions in the 2018 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier centers. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020 and again in 2023, anchoring a Lions offensive line that became one of the league’s most dominant units. His presence helped stabilize a franchise that had long struggled with identity and direction.

 

Teammates have echoed Campbell’s sentiments, with quarterback Jared Goff calling Ragnow “the smartest and toughest player I’ve ever played with.” Others spoke of his unselfishness and tireless work ethic — often showing up for treatment long before dawn and staying late to support younger players.

 

For Campbell, Ragnow’s retirement is more than just a roster change. It’s personal.

 

> “He gave everything to this team, to this city. And for that, I’ll always be grateful,” Campbell said. “He earned every ounce of respect in that locker room, and he’ll always be a Lion.”

 

As Detroit turns the page and begins life without its veteran center, Campbell made it clear that Ragnow’s legacy will live on. His toughness, humility, and leadership have helped shape the culture that now defines the Lions — and for Campbell, that’s something to be proud of, even through the team

 

Think you can figure out which Lions player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

 

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

 

Today’s Pride of Detroit in-5 game

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

 

 

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Lions player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

 

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

 

 

 

 

 

The Detroit Lions still have some room in the salary cap to work with in 2025. But that doesn’t mean they will.

 

After the June 1 designations, which allow NFL teams to cut up to two players and spread out the hit to their salary caps over the next two years instead of one, the Lions have $40.1 million of cap space left for the upcoming season.

 

That’s the third-highest amount among all NFL teams according to Over The Cap, behind the New England Patriots ($60.4 million) and the San Francisco 49ers ($46.5 million).

 

The Lions chose not to use any of their June 1 designations this season, which means they didn’t add to their dead money total for 2025 or 2026. Their dead money total for 2025 stands at $21.8 million, ranking 20th in the league.

 

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Lions have free reign to spend this season.

 

Starting in 2026, the Lions salary cap situation may turn from one of the best in the league to one of the worst. That’s because the Lions are currently projected to be $54.4 million over the cap in 2026, in part due to rising salaries for stars Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson, Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

 

Goff’s impact is especially big, since his cap hit will rise from $32.6 million in 2025 to $69.6 million in 2026. Hutchinson’s will rise from $11.3 million this season to $19.8 million the next, St. Brown’s from $13.9 million to $33.1 million and Sewell’s from $9.5 million to $28 million.

 

That’s a rise of $83.2 million in cap space from just those four players.

 

The Lions also made safety Kerby Joseph the highest-paid safety in NFL history on a contract that begins in 2026.

 

The cap situation could mean the Lions look for creative ways to get ahead of a potential salary cap nightmare. That includes restructuring current deals, and handing out big bonuses for new contracts signed in 2025 in lieu of bigger salary commitments for later years.

 

Another option the Lions have is to hold firm with the roster they have already. NFL rules allow teams to roll over cap space into the following season, which means the Lions could knock off $40 million from their cap hit in 2026 should they make no changes to their salary obligations in 2025.

 

Complicating things is a Hutchinson extension on the horizon. The Lions already picked up his fifth-year rookie option for 2026, but the team wants to lock up Hutchinson to a long-term deal at some point.

 

Lions president Ron Wood has already said Hutchinson will be in Detroit “for the long haul,” though it’s unclear where the parties stand with negotiating a contract extension.

 

Another factor: Frank Ragnow had two years left on his contract before announcing his retirement Monday, June 2, which would save the Lions money.

He was scheduled to make $9.15 million in base salary in 2025 with a $14.05 million cap hit, according to Over The Cap. When the retirement becomes official, the Lions are only on the hook for $8.4 million in guarantees until 2026, instead of the $30.4 million cap hit through 2026. The Lions can spread the savings across both years if they choose.

 

However the Lions approach their salary cap situation, general manager Brad Holmes is sure to have many tough decisions to make over the next couple of years.

 

 

 

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Colby Sorsdal (75) celebrates after a 2024 NFC wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field.

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Colby Sorsdal (75) celebrates after a 2024 NFC wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field.

The Detroit Lions wrapped up the first round of organized team activities (OTAs) as the coaching staff took a first look at the roster in full. The attendance was impressive for the Lions, with only Frank Ragnow and Alex Anzalone not participating in the offseason workouts.

 

During Ragnow’s absence, the Lions tried different options at center during training reps, according to The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy. One of those players was a surprise name: Colby Sorsdal.

 

“Colby Sorsdal was one of the players repping at center Friday, an interesting development for a player who’ll need to fight for his roster spot this year. Ratledge, Mahogany and Frazier could all pass him on the guard depth chart, so adding center responsibilities could help his chances of sticking around.”

Colton Pouncy, The Athletic

Lions OL Colby Sorsdal Changes Positions to Keep Job After OTAs

Sorsdal has never previously played center since he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by Detroit. He spent time at right tackle and both guard spots when he saw offensive snaps in his rookie season, but this is a new development for the former William & Mary standout.

 

The positional change makes sense for the third-year player as the Lions have a big logjam at the offensive line.

 

The O-line was already one of the strongest areas on the team, with Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, and Taylor Decker having established themselves as some of the best at their positions. The Lions then used two of their first four draft picks on offensive linemen, selecting Tate Ratledge out of Georgia in the second round and Miles Frazier out of LSU in the fifth round.

 

Considering that Ratledge and Frazier are near locks to make the roster, that doesn’t leave too many roster spots available. Graham Glasgow, Dan Skipper, Christian Mahogany, and Giovanni Manu will likely get the rest of the spots on the 53-man roster, leaving the likes of Sorsdal on the outside looking in.

 

Versatility is the name of the game on the offensive line in today’s NFL. The ability to back up multiple positions on the offensive line is a big advantage in earning a roster spot.

 

Sorsdal proving that he can do a decent job at center in Ragnow’s absence would go a long way in making his case to make the active roster. Whether he can beat out stiff competition throughout OTAs and Lions training camp remains to be seen.

 

 

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