The Lions Need Someone to Step Up Big Time
Look, I don’t need to remind you how gut-wrenching the 2025 season was. After watching Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes build something real over several years, the Lions took a massive step backward. They missed the playoffs entirely and needed a meaningless Week 18 win just to scrape over .500. For a fanbase that finally started believing again, it stung in all the familiar ways.
This offseason wasn’t exactly filled with splash moves. The heavy lifting is going to fall on returning players who need to be better versions of themselves. And honestly? Several guys have no choice but to bounce back hard if this team wants to get back on track.
The Obvious Candidates
There are plenty of Lions who could make a case. Christian Mahogany is entering his third year after a sophomore slump that had some fans wondering if the early hype was real. Derrick Barnes might finally get his shot with more snaps available after Alex Anzalone’s departure. Malcolm Rodriguez is looking at his first real starting opportunity since his rookie season.
Then there’s Levi Onwuzurike, who’s back from his own ACL tear and could carve out a significant role. Hell, maybe someone in the secondary figures it out after the rough 2025 season back there.
But Alim McNeill Makes the Most Sense
Here’s the thing though. If we’re talking about pure impact, Alim McNeill is the guy who could change everything.
McNeill missed half of 2025 coming back from his ACL injury suffered in 2024. When he returned, there was genuine optimism. His first game back was vintage McNeill, explosive and disruptive. But that was about it. The rest of the season was a grind that produced just 14 tackles, 1.0 sacks, and two tackles for loss across 10 starts. For a guy making massive money, those numbers were tough to watch.
McNeill recently said he feels a “night and day difference” compared to last year. He also admitted his struggles in 2025 kept him up at night, which tells you everything about his mindset. When both the physical and mental sides click for a player of his talent level, good things happen.
Remember How Good He Was
It’s easy to forget just how dominant McNeill looked when the Lions handed him that four-year, $97 million deal back in 2024. Through 14 games in 2024, he put up 25 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and earned a 79.6 PFF grade that ranked ninth among all defensive tackles.
But the real value was the interior pressure. Something this defense has been missing without him healthy and rolling. When McNeill is disrupting pockets and collapsing running lanes, it makes everyone around him better. Aidan Hutchinson gets cleaner looks. The secondary doesn’t have to cover as long.
If McNeill returns to that form, the ripple effect could be massive for this entire team. That’s the kind of bounce-back performance that turns a disappointing season into something worth watching again.
Which Lion do you think is going to have the biggest turnaround? Are you buying the McNeill comeback tour or is there someone else who’s going to shock us? Drop your pick below.
