2025 NFL Off Season Updates Presented by GoldSheet | Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions went all-in during the 2024-25 NFL season, but injuries on the defense were too much to overcome in the postseason after a 15-2 regular season. Both the offensive and defensive coordinator from last year’s squad have accepted head coaching roles elsewhere. Can Jared Goff and Co. maintain success under a new play-calling regime?
2025 Detroit Lions Team Preview
NFC North Odds
| Team | SB LX Odds | NFC | Division | Win Total |
| Lions | +900 | +425 | +135 | 10.5 (-110) |
| Packers | +2200 | +1100 | +275 | 9.5 (o -120 / u EV) |
| Vikings | +3000 | +1400 | +400 | 8.5 (o -130 / u +110) |
| Bears | +3500 | +1600 | +425 | 8.5 (o +110 / u -130) |
Odds above courtesy of DraftKings as of April 16. The Detroit Lions won the NFC North last season going 15-2 straight-up, 12-5 against the spread before losing to the Washington Commanders in the Division Round of the playoffs.
Detroit Lions Roster Moves
QBs on Roster: Jared Goff (5th Year w/ Team); Hendon Hooker (3rd Year); Jake Fromm (2nd Year w/ Team); and Kyle Allen (1st Year w/ Team).
Coaching Changes: Former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now the head coach of the Bears. He has been replaced by John Morton, who served as the Broncos’ passing game coordinator last season and was on the Lions’ staff in 2022. Former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is now the head coach of the Jets. He has been replaced by Kelvin Sheppard, who was promoted from within after working on the Lions’ defensive staff since 2021.
Key Acquisitions: Cornerback DJ Reed; Cornerback Avonte Maddox; Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin; and defensive tackle Roy Lopez
Key Departures: Cornerback Carlton Davis and offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler. Defensive lineman Za’Darius Smith is a free agent, but has not signed with another team and could potentially return.
2025 Detroit Lions Schedule
Home Opponents: Packers, Vikings, Bears, Cowboys, Giants, Browns, Steelers and Bucs
Road Opponents: Packers, Vikings, Bears, Commanders, Eagles, Bengals, Ravens, Chiefs and Rams
2025-26 NFL Rule Changes
- Touchbacks on a kickoff will now give the receiving team the ball on the 35-yard line instead of the 30 in an effort to increase more kick returns and discourage touchbacks.
- The regular season overtime rules will now match the postseason overtime rules, as both teams will now have an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first drive. Per Jon Ferrari of the Eagles, 37.5-percent of last year’s overtime games ended with a first-drive touchdown. The new rule will allow both teams to have the ball.
- The video review booth will have an increased role in assisting the on-field officials. The video assistants can’t put a flag on the field if they believe that the officials missed a call, but they can pick one up if an erroneous flag is thrown (i.e. a facemask penalty is called, but upon video review, it’s determined that the facemask was never actually grabbed).
- Artificial intelligence and lasers will be used to determine the remaining yardage for a first down. The officials are still responsible for spotting the football just like they always have, but technology will now do the job of the chain gang and they will no longer have to run in from the sidelines for a first down measurement. Once the official places the ball down, lasers will determine if the offense reached the first down line and/or how far away they are from reaching that mark.
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WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the moneylines, point spreads, totals and betting percentages for all of the Detroit Lions games from their release in May all the way through Week 1 in September. Find free NFL picks from season win total bets through Super Bowl futures on our free picks pages.
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