Per Campbell, who spoke on the Lions’ press conference, Jahmyr Gibbs has “only scratched the surface” on what he can do, and they’re prepared to “push him” this season.

That statement, paired to the fact that the Lions let David Montgomery go, and Gibbs is up there as one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL, makes the Lions intentions clear as day. Gibbs will be the workhorse of this offense.

Jahmyr Gibbs was stellar in 2025

Gibbs was an incredible player in the 2025 NFL season. In 2025, Gibbs had 1839 scrimmage yards and 18 total touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowler and one of the most unstoppable forces in the league.

And that was sharing snaps with Montgomery. Yes, Gibbs was the most prominent back on the roster, but Montgomery was still stealing snaps out of him. Now, he is all alone in the Lions’ backfield.

Gibbs is a very complete running back

Not only does Gibbs have a very complete skill set, but he is excels at every single area. Gibbs has agility, blazing long speed and incredible release. He is a weapon in the passing game as well, and has huge jukes and spins to go around the NFL defenders.

ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported through his X account that Bridgewater was officially placed on the reserve/retired list. From now on, the Lions will have to move quickly to find his replacement.

Without Bridgewater and with Goff as the starting quarterback, Luke Altmyer currently sits atop the depth chart after joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois. Still, it is unlikely that the rookie will emerge as the primary backup.

Several intriguing players who could fill the position are still unsigned, and some of them could potentially fill the vacant spot. Detroit does not have much time before the start of the NFL season, so they will need to act quickly.

Potential candidates to replace Bridgewater

Experienced signal-callers such as Jimmy Garoppolo and Joshua Dobbs top the list of potential targets capable of managing the offense on short notice. Other viable options include veteran C.J. Beathard, who offers existing familiarity with the Lions’ system, alongside free agents like John Wolford and Brett Rypien to provide steady depth and leadership in the backup role.

Bridgewater’s time in Detroit

During his lone season with the Detroit Lions in 2023, Teddy Bridgewater served primarily as the primary backup to starting quarterback Jared Goff. Across 17 regular-season games, Bridgewater appeared in just one game, recording no passing attempts while logging two rushing carries for -2 yards in victory-formation kneel-downs.

Though his statistical line in Detroit was virtually nonexistent, his veteran presence and leadership in the QB room were widely credited with supporting Goff during the Lions’ historic run to the NFC Championship Game.

“I think it certainly’s not going to hurt,” Campbell said during his press conference. “It’s not going to hurt, but we’ll see. I’m anxious to get Gibbs back out there.

“Every day that goes by, that’s another day that you feel like you miss with him and getting him out there with the guys and him doing his part. But, there again, it’ll get done when it gets done.”

Gibbs is still not practicing with the rest of his teammates at the Lions’ 2026 training camp as he waits for his situation to be resolved. Perhaps what happened with the Falcons will be the first step toward getting a deal done in the near future.

Robinson becomes the NFL’s highest-paid running back

The Atlanta Falcons and two-time Pro Bowl running back Bijan Robinson have agreed to a historic three-year contract extension worth up to $75 million, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Finalized after intense recent negotiations led by agent Nicole Lynn and the Falcons’ front office, the record-setting deal includes $51 million in total guarantees, with $37 million fully guaranteed upon signing.

Gibbs seeks a contract extension

Entering the fourth year of his four-year, $17.84 million fully guaranteed rookie contract with the Detroit Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs is seeking a lucrative extension following back-to-back elite seasons. Aiming to secure a long-term deal that reflects his production as both a runner and receiver, Gibbs has staged a “hold-in” during training camp, remaining present with the team while opting out of practice as negotiations continue.

Though he has publicly downplayed any drama, his representation is pushing for a contract that aligns with the recently reset running back market, moving well beyond his current $4.46 million average annual salary.

Gibbs and Robinson are two of the NFL’s elite running backs

Both Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs have earned their pay in the NFL thanks to the impressive numbers they have put up over the past few years. Here are their statistics over the last three seasons.

“A lot of guys have done really well for two days in pajamas,” Campbell said to the press during de Organized Team Activities. “I’m done with the hype of a pajama party in May. . . . We’ll find out in training camp who’s who. This will be the most competition we’ve had. Top-tier competition. This will be good, across the board.”

The head coach also added: “Nobody’s gonna win a job in the spring. I’m not hyping anybody up. Not in May.”

The new faces in Detroit

The Detroit Lions enter the 2026 NFL season with a heavily re-engineered roster, highlighted by first-round draft pick Blake Miller, a highly reliable tackle out of Clemson who is immediately throwing himself into the fire by competing for a starting spot right alongside the veterans. Alongside him, key offseason acquisitions like running back Isiah Pacheco, center Cade Mays, and defensive additions like Roger McCreary and D.J. Wonnum have completely transformed the depth chart.

To earn their place in the lineup, Campbell’s philosophy remains unyielding: pedigree means absolutely nothing if it isn’t backed up by intense, mistake-free execution. Following the Lions’ unique approach of skipping a traditional rookie minicamp to throw everyone directly into full team workouts, Campbell expects these new faces to adapt instantly, pick up the complex schematics with zero grey area, and prove they possess the gritty, high-effort mentality required to fight for a spot in Detroit’s cultural foundation.

Campbell decided to skip rookie minicamp

While rookie minicamp can be a valuable opportunity to get a closer look at new faces, Campbell admitted that he feels it is largely more of the same. As a result, the Lions were the only team to opt out of holding those sessions.

“It’s the same way every year, they train for the Combine or for all of those drills, they don’t train for football,” Campbell said via prideofdetroit.com. “So, we just got our hands on them for, I guess, going on week three, something like that. So, we just want to be smart with these guys, make sure they’re ready to get on the field to do–even though it’s not a lot to be able to do that, we don’t want any setback.”

The first challenges for the Lions

The Detroit Lions are kicking off their 2026 campaign with a pretty wild mix of home energy and heavy road tests. They start things off at Ford Field hosting the New Orleans Saints, giving Dan Campbell an immediate reunion against his former squad.

After that, they face a quick turnaround for a massive Thursday Night Football showdown on the road against the Buffalo Bills, followed by a return home to face the New York Jets. They wrap up this opening five-game stretch back on the road with consecutive away matchups, first hitting primetime on Sunday Night Football against the Carolina Panthers before flying out west to battle the Arizona Cardinals.

Following the trade that sent Montgomery to the Houston Texans, Gibbs has become the undisputed RB1. However, “Sonic” may be eyeing a more versatile role than a traditional lead back.

Dan Campbell hinted during the NFL owners’ meetings that Gibbs’ unique talents could be utilized all over the field. He revealed that the team is even considering lining the young star up at wide receiver to maximize his explosive playmaking ability.

“Gibbs, we didn’t view Gibbs as a runner, he was a weapon,” Campbell said. “We felt like Gibbs, this guy is gonna explode. Yes, he’s a runner, he can run all schemes, he can run inside, outside, the perimeters, but he also can be lethal out of the backfield, and we’re not even there yet. We feel like this guy can play some receiver. He’s dynamic and he’s a difference-maker. They don’t come around often.”

A new chapter for the Lions’ offense

There is no doubt that Dan Campbell has revitalized the Lions, but 2025 proved to be a challenging season. Following the exit of Ben Johnson last year, the offense lost the creative spark that had previously made the unit one of the league’s most feared.

After a disappointing stint under John Morton, the Lions moved on and named Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator. There are high hopes for Petzing, especially given the wealth of talent at his disposal and his history of creative personnel grouping.

With Campbell confirming that Gibbs could feature prominently as a receiver, it is clear that Petzing is exploring new schematic variations to jumpstart the offense. However, matching the efficiency and production seen under Ben Johnson’s guidance remains a tall order.

A new RB duo in Detroit

Following the Montgomery trade, the Lions moved quickly to bolster their backfield by signing free agent Isiah Pacheco to a one-year, $1.81 million deal. Pacheco is slated to serve as the RB2, with the hope that he can recapture the high-energy form he displayed during his championship years with the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Pacheco is regarded as a physical, downhill runner, his recent injury history has raised some concerns among the fanbase. However, if he can remain healthy, the Lions may once again possess one of the most intimidating backfield duos in the NFL.

Upon his arrival, David Montgomery made a bold promise to the Texans regarding his future performance. However, he hasn’t forgotten his past, especially his experience playing under Dan Campbell.

The running back spoke about his move to Houston, which took him by surprise. Nevertheless, he accepted the trade gladly, noting that Dan Campbell continually praised Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.

“When I was in Detroit, Coach Campbell would talk about Coach Ryans all the time,” Montgomery said in a video uploaded by the Texans. “When we had joint practices or he was talking about another coach, he always would talk about Coach Ryans. So now, to be under him and see, and be a part of it now, I’m super excited. I couldn’t think of a more ideal place to be.”

The Texans are building something solid

Last season, Houston managed to secure a Wild Card spot despite the various struggles the team faced throughout the year. They even advanced to the Divisional Round, where they eventually lost to the New England Patriots.

Despite falling short of a title, their performance during the 2025 NFL season surprised many, especially considering the lack of a consistent rushing attack. With Montgomery now in the backfield, that dynamic is set to change significantly.

David Montgomery is slated to become the RB1, with Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb no longer with the club. Woody Marks, who had a solid rookie season while Mixon and Chubb were unavailable, will serve as his backup.

Is Stefon Diggs returning to the Texans?

Following his release from the Patriots, fans are wondering whether Stefon Diggs might return to the Texans. He is currently a free agent, and while many clubs have already signed other wide receivers, Diggs remains on the market.

While Nico Collins is a standout receiver, the recent departure of Christian Kirk to the San Francisco 49ers has raised questions about whether the club should pursue Diggs to build a stronger receiving corps for C.J. Stroud.

Securing a win at Soldier Field won’t be easy, making St. Brown’s presence a potentially significant boost for the team in such a hostile environment. Fortunately, Dan Campbell seems to have some good news on that front.

While the NFL’s official site initially listed the wide receiver as questionable for the Week 18 matchup, multiple reports—including one from The Detroit Times—indicate that Amon-Ra St. Brown is expected to play against the Bears.

The injury that has been troubling St. Brown

Amon-Ra St. Brown has been battling a combination of injuries that began during the Detroit Lions‘ Thanksgiving Day game against the Green Bay Packers. During the first quarter of that matchup, he suffered a low-ankle sprain when a defender rolled up on the back of his leg while he was engaged in a block.

Although he managed to play through the discomfort in subsequent weeks, his condition was further complicated by knee pain following a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and a hard hit late in the Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Vikings.

The impact of Amon-Ra St. Brown on the field

Despite the Detroit Lions’ disappointing 2025 season and their recent elimination from playoff contention following a Week 17 loss to the Vikings, Amon-Ra St. Brown has remained the undisputed engine of the team’s offense.

His undeniable chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff has reached new heights, as he has hauled in 106 receptions for 1,262 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns, averaging 11.9 yards per catch.

Even as the team struggled with a late-season slide, Goff continued to lean on St. Brown as his most trusted “chain-mover” and red-zone target, cementing the “Sun God” as one of the most productive and consistent receivers in the NFL today.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Dan Campbell will search for a new offensive coordinator during the offseason. Campbell took over play-calling duties from OC John Morton in Week 10 after the Lions suffered a huge loss at home to the Vikings where the offense looked lackluster.

The Lions had a top-tier offense statistically, ranking sixth in total yards and third in points. However, they didn’t look as smooth, powerful, explosive, and creative as they looked in years prior. With Morton, the team lacked the ability to adjust. With Campbell, the offense look more creative but still predictable.

There is one key for the Lions

The Lions went 0-7 in the games where they ran for less than 100 yards. It’s too predictable. If teams want to stop the Lions, they need to stop the run. Last season, the Lions fell short of 100 rushing yards just twice. The lack of use of David Montgomery and instead using Jahmyr Gibbs as the workhorse didn’t pan out well this season. The Lions turned a deadly duo into a one-man backfield, burning it out in the process.

This also meant the passing game was limited to some degree. Much was said during the start of the season about the lack of use of wideout Jamison Williams. Between Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, they add 2,326 yards and 18 touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs also had a similar output that what he had in 2024. However, in 2024, Montgomery was third on the team in scrimmage yards with 1,116 and had 12 touchdowns. In 2025, he fell to 853 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns.

The Lions must also look at the defensive side

While much has been said about the offense, the defense also might need improvements. The defense ranks 18 in yards allowed and 23rd in points allowed. The team was involved in plenty of shootouts.

Situationally, it wasn’t good. Detroit ranks 18th in red zone defense, and eleventh on opponent third down conversion rate. When in shootouts, a team at least needs good situational defense, and that is not the case.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, there is a possibility and it “could make a lot of sense” for the team to bring a new offensive coordinator to take the role of John Morton. Morton failed to deliver on Ben Johnson’s level and the Lions suffered because of it.

Dan Campbell is a no non-sense coach and will do whatever it takes to win. After all, the Lions are too talented to not be able to have a top three offense in the NFL. The Lions went from first in scoring offense (33.2 ppg) in 2024 to fourth (28.9 ppg) in 2025.

The offense also suffered midseason changes

John Morton was given the playcalling duties at the start of the season but that role was taken away from him midseason due to offensive woes. Dan Campbell took the reigns from there.

John Morton might have his days numbered as OC of the Lions. Among this season’s most baffling things is how running back David Montgomery slipped on his production and how little they’ve used rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa. The offense needs another creative playcaller for 2026.

Defense should be on the spot too

Aaron Glenn also departed, so Kelvin Sheppard stepped into the defensive coordinator role. The Lions are the 23rd-ranked scoring defense in the NFL allowing 24.8 points per game.

With how vulnerable the defense has looked this year, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Dan Campbell looking for a new DC too. In the end, he wants to delegate and focus completely on how the game is played, instead of babysitting his coordinators every single game.

As Colton Pouncy of The Athletic noted on X, a third-place schedule would send the Lions on the road to face the Rams, while also hosting the Colts and Commanders. Sliding to fourth, however, would line up road games against the Cardinals and home matchups with the Titans and Giants, a far softer path on paper.

Pouncy also wrote in his post, “Curious if the Lions rest some veterans in the season finale to secure a fourth-place schedule,” raising the possibility that Campbell could be willing to give backups deeper on the depth chart extended opportunities rather than pushing for a win in that game.

The Lions’ 2026 schedule

Much of the Lions’ 2026 schedule is already known, with only three games still to be determined. As Pouncy outlined in his post on X, the most favorable outcome for Detroit would be adding the Cardinals, Titans, and Giants to the schedule.

Of course, there is no guarantee those teams will remain at the bottom. The Cardinals are closing the 2025 season with a poor record that includes more than 10 losses, and both the Titans and Giants are in similar positions, though New York is widely expected to struggle again. Arizona, however, could be a different story, particularly with Kyler Murray, who remains one of the league’s more unpredictable quarterbacks.

How many times has Campbell missed the playoffs?

The 2025 season will mark the third time Dan Campbell has missed the playoffs with the Lions. His first two seasons, 2021 and 2022, ended without a postseason appearance, before the team enjoyed a strong run beginning in 2023. After a relatively promising start to 2025, with five wins in the first eight weeks, expectations were that Detroit would return to the postseason but that never materialized.

“I’m gonna be looking at a lot of things because I do not like being home for the playoffs and I know our guys don’t either. Whenever you lose it takes a village. Everybody’s involved, including myself. I’m always going to look at myself first.” Campbell then said, “Brad [the Lions GM] and I will have a lot of decisions to make, a lot of things to look at. How do we improve? Because we need to improve.”

The departure of both coordinators really hampered the team. The Lions had ups and downs this season, but it seems like the downs were much heavier. The team will have to restructure way too much stuff.

Week 17 was a plagued match for the Lions

When the Vikings announced third-string quarterback Max Brosmer was about to start, it must’ve felt like a Christmas gift for the Lions, but then tragedy struck. The Lions lost 23-10 and it wasn’t because of Brosmer. In fact, Brosmer completed just nine passes for 51 yards. However, there were self-inflicted wounds that cost the Lions the game and hence, their playoff status.

Four fumbles and two interceptions will cost any team a game and the Lions were the only ones responsible to lose the game. Dan Campbell knows it. This ended up being one of the most disappointing teams of the season.

The Lions might have to change from within

While the coordinators might need to change with new faces outside of the franchise, there are some things that could get better from within. For instance, there is no explanation as to why David Montgomery fell so much in the offense. Then, why haven’t they used rookie wideout Isaac TeSlaa much in the offense despite his obvious talent. Changes must be made first from inside the building, and then elsewhere.