The Detroit Lions Podcast

From a hotel breakfast room in Michigan, Jeff Risdon set a practical free agency roadmap for the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The legal tampering period opens Monday. Signings start Wednesday. Expect targeted moves over splashy pursuits.Free Agency, Not a Spending SpreeBig-ticket names sit out there. Hendrickson was the example. Tyler Lindenbaum at center came up too. Both would be great. Both feel unlikely. A bidding war does not fit the Lions plan. The focus is cost, fit, and familiarity. Scheme matters. Character matters. Past connections to Lions coaches and staff matter.That is the lane. Smart contracts for players who match what the Detroit Lions do, not headline chases. The door is open to being surprised, but the expectation is restraint.Quarterback Room: Keep It SteadyThe quarterback spot is simple. The team is built around Jared Goff. Kyle Allen as a solid No. 2 works. Bring him back and keep the operation clean. If Allen returns, there is no need to add another veteran.Detroit can still bring in a project as a No. 3. Think a UFL quarterback or an undrafted rookie. Even a low-cost trade for a developmental arm was mentioned. Sam Howell was floated for a laugh more than football reasons. Status quo at quarterback is fine.Backfield Help and a Budget WR4Running back is a need. The question is investment level at RB2 now that David Montgomery is gone. Detroit wants a complement to Jamir Gibbs. Eight to twelve touches per game. Reliable hands. Good pass protection. A runner who hits the crease without delay.Wilson was the top name on the realistic board. A sturdy between-the-tackles runner with dependable receiving. He has been a second option before and can be that again next to Gibbs. Later in the market, an Isaiah Pacheco type fits too. Downhill. Short-yardage strength. Willing in pass protection. A past knee injury was noted, but the style matches what the Lions can afford if they avoid high prices.At wide receiver, the top three are set, with Saint Jr. and Teslaa among the group. They will command most of the targets. Kalif Raymond can return as the kick returner on a short deal. Another team might view him as a WR3, so price matters. Detroit should not pay a premium for WR4.A ring-chasing veteran could still make sense. DeAndre Hopkins fits if the number is small. Think a one-year, 3.5 million dollar deal with incentives. Strong hands. Savvy routes. Willing blocker. He knows he is not the feature. It is not a priority, and the money may play better elsewhere, especially with internal options like Dominic Lovett coming. But if the price is right, it helps the room. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #legaltamperingperiod #hendrickson #tylerlindenbaum #jaredgoff #kyleallen #uflquarterback #undraftedrookie #rb2complement #jamirgibbs #davidmontgomerydeparture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News about Taylor Decker hit during a long drive to Marquette. The Detroit Lions asked their veteran left tackle to take a pay cut. He did not agree. He then asked for his release. The tone on the Detroit Lions Podcast shifted from relief over his return to urgency. The NFL calendar keeps moving. Detroit needs clarity at left tackle, and fast.Decker Pay-Cut Shock and FalloutDecker announced he was coming back, and the room was excited. The pay-cut request surprised him more than many expected. His reaction on Instagram suggested he felt blindsided. The team viewed the request as reasonable. It was tied to risk. The situation escalated when he asked for his release. That put Detroit right back where it was weeks ago. The need for a starting left tackle returned to the top of the board.This is not an easy split. Decker has been well paid. He has also battled through a lot. But the timing and the price point clashed with the team’s plans. No one likes the optics. Everyone understands the stakes.Injury Reality and Contract MathDecker’s 2025 form slipped. The shoulder injury mattered. He could not practice consistently. There was little confidence it would improve. The Detroit Lions asked him to share the financial burden for that risk. He declined. He has openly weighed retirement. This looks like his last year. He is not getting another big deal. An $18,000,000 one-year number is hard to justify for a player in this spot. He wants to maximize earnings. The club wants protection. Those positions collided.Assigning blame is tricky. Communication could have been cleaner. Preparation could have been better. But the facts are simple. The Lions tried to right-size a number. Decker did not accept it. Now both sides face consequences.Draft Board Tilts to Offensive TackleDetroit planned to draft an offensive tackle regardless of Decker’s status. That part has not changed. The urgency has. A first round pick at tackle now feels close to mandatory. The Lions need a starter at left tackle right away. The board offers options. Blake Miller from Thompson profiles as a target. Caleb Lomu is in the mix. Monroe Ferland might not be there when Detroit picks. Fit and availability will decide it.The path is clear. Stabilize the edge. Protect the quarterback. Rebuild the line’s future while respecting its past. The Detroit Lions Podcast framed it plainly. Set the price, set the plan, and stick to it as the NFL Draft approaches. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #taylordecker #lefttackle #paycut #shoulderinjury #practicelimitations #releaserequest #offensivetackle #firstroundpick #nfldraft #blakemiller #caleblomu #monroeferland #retirement #$18 #000 #000one-yeardeal #detroitlionsoffensiveline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mailbag After Indy, With a Fresh Trade in the RearviewThe Detroit Lions Podcast mailbag hit right after the NFL Combine and right after the David Montgomery trade. The timing sharpened every question. Subscribers asked for specific names and roles. They got them.The conversation opened with a quick nod to the community. Questions came in from the Detroit Lions Podcast Slack. It was an honest, on-the-fly session. No scripts. Just straight answers.Combine Risers the Lions Could TargetChase Besantis stood out. The Texas A&M guard moved with clean agility and poise in on-field work. He has some length questions, but the tape and testing say top-60. He belongs in the mix if the Detroit Lions stay at pick 50.There were athletes who tested as advertised. Allen Green, the Arkansas quarterback, showed the traits of a position-switch candidate. He profiles as the kind of NFL utility piece who can help on specials and handle gadget snaps if needed. Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt flashed as well. Sonny Styles had himself a week. Dylan Tieneman earned a real conversation at 17. He fits the Detroit Lions mold and checks toughness and processing boxes.Red Flags and Availability ConcernsOne prominent faller was Manu McCoy, the Tennessee outside corner. He has not played in almost 18 months after a knee injury. He was expected to work out. He did not. For a corner who wins with athletic ability, that is a bad signal. Mock drafts that pair him with Detroit at 17 look aggressive now. Availability matters. The point landed hard: do not draft injured players who stay injured. Chris Rakestraw was cited as a painful reminder. Diego Pavia did himself no favors either. The performance and the claim that he is the best quarterback in the class did not help his outlook.Roster Holes and a Pragmatic Draft PlanConfidence is high that Detroit can fill needs for a deeper playoff push. This is not a star-laden class. That is fine. The Lions already have stars. They need B and B-plus contributors who are ready to roll. Linebacker is rich. Running back offers real depth. Day-two and early day-three should deliver instant help.Jeremiah Lovett came out as another big Combine winner. He participated, competed, and should go in the top five. That pushes more value down the board. Offensive line help is available at center and tackle. With Decker coming back, Detroit can target the right profile and timeline instead of forcing a reach.Two quick notes closed the mailbag. The broadcast marked the eighth anniversary of a MAB award for a Sunday morning tailgate show. And there is more on the air next week, with hosting duties on The Huge Show across Michigan. A Munich trip is on the wish list too. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #davidmontgomerytrade #nflcombine #nflfreeagency #lionstargets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Montgomery to Texans, Gibbs takes leadThe Detroit Lions traded David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. It was a business decision. The return matters, and so does the timing. Free agency is a few days out. The Detroit Lions Podcast framed it around role and value. Amon-Ra St. Brown said on his podcast that Montgomery wanted a bigger role. The Lions are prioritizing Jameer Gibbs. That tracks with how the backfield evolved. Paying heavily for a clear No. 2 over the next two years did not fit the plan.The haul: Day 3 picks and Juice ScruggsDetroit landed a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. That was more than many expected. Those selections become currency on draft weekend. They let the front office move around the board. The deal also brought interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs. He has center and guard versatility and around 20 career starts in Houston. The appeal is obvious. He can step in across the interior and stabilize depth at a low cost. The read here is that he looks better at center than at guard.Backfield usage and value calculusGibbs is the priority. He earned it with early-career production. The Lions will feature him and live with that decision. Montgomery is a good NFL running back. He could start for several teams. At times, there was frustration about his usage in Detroit. He set a tone as a runner when fed. But giving premium dollars to a No. 2 while preparing to extend Gibbs is tough. This move aligns resources with roles. Detroit can add a complementary back through the draft or free agency if needed. The key is volume and fit next to Gibbs, not a one-for-one replacement.Center question, free agency clockScruggs also touches the bigger question inside. Center is unclear right now. The position will have people guessing until the moves land. Scruggs profiles as a swing interior player who can handle snaps in a pinch. Free agency arrives soon, and the board will shift quickly. The NFL combine chatter feeds that, and the Lions will have options. With two day-three picks added and a flexible interior piece, Detroit gained room to operate. This was about clarity. Prioritize Gibbs. Add picks. Fortify the line. Then attack needs when the market opens. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #davidmontgomerytrade #jahmyrgibbs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chasing the Champs, Skipping the MythsMichael Grey and Jacson Bevens from The Cigar Thoughts Podcast have an offseason check-in built around one question: how do you chase a champion without convincing yourself there is a secret code? Bevens shares his insights fresh off a Seahawks title run he says he is determined to savor. He remembered how the first championship a dozen years ago got blunted by the way the following Super Bowl ended. This time, he is taking nothing for granted.That perspective anchored a clear theme. Everyone in the NFL tries to reinvent the latest champion. Mock drafts pile up. Free agent priorities harden. Armchair GMs get loud. But this Seattle season did not look preordained in September. By December, it did. The shift matters for Lions fans trying to separate lessons from mirages.Health, Schedule, and a Thursday Night PivotBevans traced two pillars. First, health. He called it the tie that binds Super Bowl champions. Seattle stayed remarkably healthy by modern standards. Second, the league’s shape helped. Expected powers stumbled. The Chiefs cratered. The Bills were good, not great. The Ravens cratered. The Lions cratered. The Eagles stacked wins without looking convincing. The Niners took a ton of injuries. Suddenly there were good teams but not great ones in the AFC, and in the NFC it was largely Seattle and the Rams.One inflection point stood out. A Thursday night win over the Rams pushed Seattle into pole position. From there, they held serve. Bevans also admitted he was bullish early. The opening win total sat at seven and a half. Last year’s team had won 10. He put his biggest sports bet on Seattle to clear it, and they did so with room to spare.Detroit Lions Takeaways for a Real NFL SprintSo what should the Detroit Lions actually copy? Start with availability. Health powered Seattle’s sprint. Next, accept evolution. September narratives lie. December decides. There is no single formula to import. Defensive head coach talking points will surface all offseason, but context and roster shape matter more than slogans.Grey framed it as an offseason mandate. Build smart. Own free agent priorities. Treat mock drafts as tools, not gospel. Avoid chasing a dynasty script before you win the next game. The Seahawks were not crowned in camp. They earned status piece by piece, then protected it. That is the blueprint worth stealing for the Detroit Lions in a ruthless NFL. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #seattleseahawks #nfcrace #ramsthursdaynightwin #superbowlchampions #wintotal7.5 #injuriesandhealth #mockdrafts #freeagentpriorities #armchairgm #quarterbacksmith #dkmetcalf #afchadnogreatteams #ninersinjuries #bestteaminthenfl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Combine fallout reshapes Detroit’s No. 17 boardThe Detroit Lions Podcast finally hit the post-combine reset after a chaotic week that included a David Montgomery trade and the release of Graham Glasgow. Jeff Risdon and Michael Grey used Indy results to revisit the five most likely options for the Detroit Lions at pick 17 in the NFL Draft. Three names from the pre-combine slate remain. Two dropped out for clear, on-field reasons.The three still standing at 17The core of the list holds: Auburn edge Keldrick Falk, Clemson edge TJ Parker, and Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller are still in play at 17. The Lions’ needs on the line of scrimmage keep all three relevant. Detroit values trench versatility and production, and each brings a different answer to that profile.Why Keldrick Falk fits Detroit’s frontFalk checks the size and power boxes as a crush the can edge who can also reduce inside. He is young and very athletic, even if not a classic twitch rusher. His floor arrives with elite run defense. His ceiling rises with inside-out flexibility. He can play a big end role, then kick to three-tech on passing downs. Detroit has mixed five-man fronts and odd looks, moving bodies to find matchups. Falk fits that menu. Post-combine, his range tightened. He could be gone by 17. Dallas is a possibility. Miami is a possibility. There is even outside buzz about Kansas City at nine. He remains a strong Lions match if he lasts.TJ Parker’s stock rebounds in IndyParker stacked a strong combine on top of earlier production. He moved himself more firmly into the 15-to-20 range. His past billing in some mocks as the first defensive player off the board slipped during the season, but he explained the context well and showed maturity. Traits, motor, and makeup line up with what Detroit wants on and off the field. He is a devoted father, a motivated worker, and a confident finisher. Parker could still be there at 17. It also would not shock if he goes just above Detroit. Either way, he is squarely in the tier the Lions are weighing.Who fell off the board at 17Caden Proctor slid out of round-one consideration for Detroit at that slot. His wave drill was rough, and the consensus view now leans guard projection. Many see him in the 25-to-40 range as a supersized interior lineman. His athletic background at Alabama, including tight end and short-yardage running back snaps, does not fully translate to NFL offensive tackle. Monroe Freeling went the other direction. He became a combine darling. He looks likely to be gone well before 17, perhaps even the first offensive lineman taken and a candidate in the top 10. That makes the Freeling-at-17 dream unrealistic for the Lions. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #2026nfldraft #combine #keldricfaulk #tjparker #blakemiller #monroefreeling #dillonthieneman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Detroit Lions turned the page at center. The conversation zeroed in on why the job is open, who is in the mix, and how the scheme should fit the winner.Center Shake-Up: Glasgow Out, Scruggs InOn Monday, the David Montgomery trade with the Houston Texans delivered interior help. The Lions acquired Choice Scruggs, a former second-round pick out of Penn State, who played his best snaps in 2024 at center in Houston. The Texans later moved him to guard after adding Jake Andrews from the Patriots, a center-only piece who struggled but still stayed in the lineup.The vacancy in Detroit became real when the Lions cut Grey Glasgow to free cap room. The move was expected. Glasgow posted a thank-you within minutes of the release going public. He is widely respected in the building. He gave what he had. The last couple seasons were uneven, especially in the run game.Context matters. Frank Ragnau retiring when he did put the team in a massive pinch. Coaches asked Glasgow to execute things Ragnau could do. Very few can do what Ragnau did. That mismatch hurt the line. That is on the approach as much as the player.Early Depth Chart: Real CompetitionScruggs immediately joins a live competition. Seth McLaughlin is in that fight too. He is a former Alabama and Ohio State center who missed his rookie season with injury and spent time on the Bengals practice squad. He needs to be healthy and will have to earn it. Nothing should be handed out.This is the type of battle that defines camp reps. It also clarifies protection rules and run fits. The Detroit Lions Podcast framed it plainly: the best center must match the assignment load and restore timing in the run game.Why Tate Ratledge Makes Sense in the MiddleTate Ratledge can play center. He logged some snaps there last year. Combine comments indicated the team moved him to right guard because it was easier on him, and he was very good at right guard.There is a case to put him back at center. At guard, he can struggle when squaring up defenders not aligned over his face. If a rusher shades an outside or inside shoulder, his first reaction can be a tick slow. Climbing to the second level from that stance was also a problem at times. Experience can clean up part of that.Center naturally mitigates those issues. The cone of responsibility is tighter. There are fewer immediate threats from wide angles. That buys time, trims the aiming points, and lets his power and balance show. If Detroit wants quicker run fits and a cleaner ID process, Ratledge in the middle is a real option to weigh against Scruggs and McLaughlin.The job is open. The skill set must match the asks. Detroit needs the right center, not just a center. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #centercompetition #grahamglasgow #frankragnow #juicescruggs #houstontexans #davidmontgomerytrade #sethmclaughlin #tateratledge #bradholmescombinecomments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Montgomery Dealt to Houston: Terms and TimingThe Detroit Lions traded David Montgomery to the Houston Texans on Monday morning. Detroit received a 2026 fourth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs. The move followed a tense 24 hours in which Montgomery publicly pushed back on reports of his trade request. He wanted out. The compensation includes a fourth Houston owns among multiple selections. Another Houston trade also hit earlier in the day, adding to the churn.Why Detroit Moved OnThis came down to role, cost, and touches. Montgomery was the NFL’s 12th-highest-paid running back. His workload slipped to about 10 touches per game behind Jameer Gibbs. That math did not fit the Lions cap plan. Detroit frees money with the deal. The staff valued his production. He was more efficient in 2025 than in 2024. He was also a very good pass protector. That skill will be missed. But paying starter money for a No. 2 back on a light workload was not sustainable.Roster Fallout: RB2 Search Starts NowThe depth chart has a hole at RB2. Vaki was drafted to play special teams. Injuries have slowed his work at running back. The staff does not see him as ready for a bigger role. Jacob Saylors remains in the room. The Lions must add another back. Third-down protection and short-yardage snaps are now open questions behind Gibbs. The front office saw this coming and acted fast. They refused to let a noisy situation linger.Scruggs Arrives, Houston ReactsDetroit adds Scruggs to the offensive line mix. The expectation is utility and competition on the interior. On the Houston side, reaction is mixed. The Texans traded Titus Howard earlier in the day. Fans there like Montgomery’s durability and lead-back traits. They also worry about who will block for him after the Howard move. From Detroit’s view, the fourth-rounder helps stock draft capital. The seventh adds a swing. The lineman gives depth now. The cost was a productive back who wanted a larger role. The Lions reset the room and keep building for 2026 and beyond. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #davidmontgomery #jameergibbs #rb2hole #passprotector #caproom #houstontexans #juicescruggs #2026fourth-roundpick #2027seventh-roundpick #bradholmes #dancampbell #jacobsaylors #vakispecialteams #10touchespergame #12th-highest-paidrunningback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Montgomery’s Status and the Salary MathEpisode 604 of the Detroit Lions Podcast opened with the biggest topic from Indianapolis. David Montgomery’s future. A report from the combine week suggested he wants out. Montgomery pushed back publicly. The timing still raised eyebrows.Context matters. Brad and Dan went to the podium in Indy and talked about smoothing things over with Montgomery. That is not casual podium talk. His role dipped last fall. He lost about six touches per game between rushes and receptions. He is 28. He is currently the 12th highest paid running back in the NFL.Here is the crunch. Jameer Gibbs is headed for a massive payday. Carrying a top-tier contract for Gibbs while keeping Montgomery at his current number is tough. Especially when the Detroit Lions have one defensive end on the roster, two healthy safeties, and are out a starting linebacker. Roster needs meet running back economics. That is the conflict.Gibbs’ Deal and the Roster SqueezeIf Gibbs signs soon, Montgomery becomes a high-priced No. 2. Teams can often find backs who replicate most of that production for far less. That pressure is real. It also tests locker room chemistry. Being a good teammate gets harder when touches shrink and the market says your role is replaceable.Montgomery spoke the right words during the season. He has said he likes Detroit. He also returned to Twitter after nearly two years to address the rumor. That is not nothing. It signals a player guarding his salary and his standing while the Detroit Lions weigh cap priorities. No one here is questioning his effort. The question is fit and cost after Gibbs gets paid.Combine Reactions and Draft Board RipplesThe show framed the NFL Scouting Combine as more than testing numbers. It clarified needs. Edge, safety, and linebacker sit on top. That aligns with the depth concerns mentioned on air. The big draft board will reflect that urgency.Indianapolis also delivered insider buzz. The Montgomery item surfaced there and intersected with podium hints from leadership. Public negotiation talk does not sit well. The Detroit Lions typically keep business quiet. That is why this flare-up hit so hard during combine week.The takeaway is simple. The Detroit Lions must balance a potential Gibbs deal with immediate defensive needs. They also need to keep Montgomery aligned with his role. The calendar will force decisions soon. The cap, the board, and the backfield are colliding. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #davidmontgomery #jameergibbs #nflscoutingcombine #bigdraftboard #contractextensionconversation #onedefensiveend #twohealthysafeties #startinglinebacker #touchespergame #rolediminished #jeremyfowler #bradanddanatthepodium #indianapolis #runningbacksalary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday testing sorts the board for Detroit The edges, defensive tackles, and off ball linebackers hit Lucas Oilfield and brought clarity. Several headliners crushed testing and pushed firmly out of Detroit Lions range at 17. Sonny Styles had a day. He looked like a top-two selection after the work he put in. Arnold Reed will not be there at 17 either. David Bailey’s surge put him on wish lists, not draft boards in the teens. Not everyone went. Room Maddox did not work out. Akeem Mesador sat as well. Kendrick Fox did not run the 40, and another Jones skipped a key portion too. The top of this NFL class made itself scarce for Detroit, and that matters. For a Lions roster looking to add juice on the edge and speed in the second level, Thursday underlined how the board may force a different path. Malachi Lawrence puts himself on the Lions radar UCF edge Malachi Lawrence delivered the kind of profile the Detroit Lions covet. He clocked a 1.58 10-yard split, leapt 40 inches in the vertical, and posted a broad jump just shy of 11 feet. That burst showed up in every drill. His get-off was immediate. His hands stayed active. He won with speed first, then mixed in power. The overall athletic score matched the eye test. The Lions have talked to him, including prior to Indianapolis. He is not a pick-17 projection. He looks like a second-round target who could line up across from Aidan Hutchinson and change the cadence of Detroit’s four-man rush. He is not the cleanest finisher and the tackling consistency needs tightening, but the traits translate to the NFL. Put his name in ink on the board of realistic upgrades. Day-three value from Iowa: Max Allen’s clean work Max Allen from Iowa is a different kind of find. Tall and angular, he moved with surprising smoothness. In the position drills he stayed on schedule. No extra gather steps. No wasted feet. He looked like a power-based edge who can kick inside when asked and win over either shoulder of a tackle. The profile echoes Romeo Oquara. Allen is not an exceptional tester, but he is good enough and well coached. Fourth or fifth round feels right. For the Detroit Lions, that is the sweet spot to fortify the rotation with a versatile, durable piece who brings baseline strength and sound mechanics. TJ Harper reframes a rocky year TJ Harper owned the room at the podium. He entered 2025 as a potential number one overall pick. The season did not deliver the numbers. He explained the context clearly and maintained he played better, which his tape supports. It was direct and measured, the kind of response teams want when the stat line dips. For the Detroit Lions Podcast audience, Thursday in Indy underscored two truths. The elite rose out of reach. The smart value sits right where Detroit can strike. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m0rF9mCM3o #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #malachilawrence #nflscoutingcombine #2026nfldraft #tjparker #jackkelly #maxllewellyn #terrionarnold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices