The Detroit Lions had one of the league’s most efficient passing attacks last season when quarterback Jared Goff was well-protected, but among the worst when he was under pressure.
That could be a question mark going into the 2025 season, with the Lions going through a number of changes to their offensive line and some new players expected to take on significant roles. One insider wrote that the line’s ability to keep Goff off the turf is the team’s “biggest concern,” which could be the key to whether the Lions repeat as NFC North champions.
Lions Must Learn to Navigate Line Changes
ESPN’s Eric Woodyard identified the offensive line as the biggest concern for the team heading into the 2025 season, noting that the team has been forced to make some unexpected changes.
“After a 15-win season in 2024, Detroit continues to navigate through two key losses on the O-line,” Woodyard wrote. “The Lions lost four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow to retirement and veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, who signed with the Tennessee Titans this offseason. One of the biggest concerns is whether the offensive production will continue to be among the league’s elite as veteran Graham Glasgow is switching from guard to center and rookie guard Tate Ratledge probably will assume a starting role.”
Woodyward warned that the Lions could struggle if Goff is forced to work under pressure, which is one of the weakest points for the veteran quarterback.
“Though Jared Goff ranks second in the NFL in QBR when he has a clean pocket, he ranks 23rd when he’s under pressure,” Woodyard wrote. “Goff had the second-largest QBR decline in the league in 2024 when he was pressured compared with when he had a clean pocket, ahead of only Daniel Jones.”
Lions See Future at Center for Rookie Lineman
The Lions tried out rookie Ratledge at center during training camp and the preseason, but ultimately moved him back to right guard. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the team saw a future for Ratledge at center, but wanted to ease into it.
âI think he couldâve handled it if we just couldâve left him there,â Holmes said, via SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit. âBut when you start looking at the whole combination of him and Graham (Glasgow) and everything, I think that that was the best thing for not only the players being put in the best positions, but also for the team. Because we didnât have any kind of questions, we knew what he was at right guard. Like, we already know that, so we were very confident about that.â
Holmes expressed confidence in the offensive line after the offseason changes, saying he believes they will hit the ground running.
âNot only just with the players and the coaching that they are receiving, but thereâs some youth along there, and thereâs going to be some growth moments,” Holmes said. “But those guys are wired right, so theyâre going to learn and are going to grow when those moments come. Thatâs what I think is great about this place: thatâs what we talk about the most, getting them prepared for those moments. So, itâs going to come, and I think it should come just because thatâs how theyâre going to get better.â
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