4 Burning Questions for Lions Entering Minicamp
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As Dan Campbell enters his second season as head coach of the Detroit Lions, he’s looking to capitalize on the optimism surrounding his team.
Despite finishing 3-13-1 in year one, the leader of the team has helped assemble a core of young talent that has fans excited about the future. There are still questions about the future, though, as the team looks ahead to 2022.
With the Lions ramping up offseason activities heading into the new campaign, here are four burning questions surrounding the team as it enters mandatory minicamp.
Is this the year for Jared Goff?
The Lions underwent a seismic shift in identity during the first offseason of Campbell's and general manager Brad Holmes’ tenure. One of the group’s first moves was to trade franchise mainstay Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and a plethora of picks.
While Stafford was busy winning a Super Bowl, Goff was sputtering through a turbulent 2021 campaign. There was a commitment made this offseason to get him more help on the outside, which led to the acquisitions of free-agent wideout DJ Chark and rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams.
The 2022 season will be an important one for Goff. There’s plenty of intrigue surrounding his future with the Lions.
After this season, his contract becomes much more friendly for the team, in terms of being able to release him. Cutting him loose in 2022 would leave Detroit with $30 million in dead money, while the dead-cap hit in 2023 would be $10 million.
There’s also a 2023 draft class loaded with star potential. As a result, 2022 is very important for Goff. There’s talent around him, and he had success with Campbell calling the plays on the back-half of the 2021 season.
The upcoming season projects as a make-or-break one for Goff. His future with the team, and as its starting quarterback, may depend on it.
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
How can Okudah contribute?
Jeff Okudah will be a hot topic of conversation, as the Lions go through their offseason circuit. The Ohio State product is a former No. 3 overall pick, and was projected to be an important piece at cornerback.
After dealing with injuries in 2020, he was dealt a hefty blow when he suffered a torn Achilles in the 2021 season opener. As a result, he missed a season’s worth of experience playing in coordinator Aaron Glenn’s unit.
Now, Okudah is slated to return to action. He’s been participating in walkthrough drills, as the team has gone through organized team activities, and he is believed to be ready for action by training camp.
The Lions have gotten deeper in the cornerback area, adding youngsters like Jerry Jacobs and A.J. Parker, along with the emergence of Amani Oruwariye. As a result, Okudah will have to earn his spot back.
The question becomes what will Okudah do to establish himself. He’s running out of time on his rookie contract, and the Lions must decide on his fifth-year option in the next offseason.
With such limited experience, just 10 games to be exact, it’s not wise to write him off yet. This upcoming season will be telling as to his role in Detroit’s future plans.
Who stands out amongst the linebackers?
Campbell called the competition at the linebacker position “a bloodbath.”
Detroit spent the offseason retooling at this position. While it re-signed Alex Anzalone, it also hit the free-agent market and added two pieces. One, Jarrad Davis, is a former first-round pick by the organization. There’s also Chris Board, a former Baltimore Raven who emerged from a special teams role to see extended action at linebacker.
With second-year linebacker Derrick Barnes and rookie Malcolm Rodriguez also in the mix, Glenn is going to have quite the competition for his "stack" linebacker positions. The hope within the organization is that the top options will rise to the top and competition will bring out the best in all.
It remains to be seen where the organization will be at the spot when the regular season rolls around. The defense has been bad in recent years, with struggles in the middle being a top reason why.
If the Lions are going to improve, they will need more than what they’ve gotten at this position in recent memory. The increased competition, and who comes out of it on top, will go a long way toward deciding the team’s fate.
How does Sewell grow after strong rookie season?
Drafted seventh overall in 2021, Penei Sewell enjoyed a strong rookie year anchoring the Lions’ offensive line. The Oregon tackle played on both the right and left side of the line, and was one of the top rookie linemen in the game.
Now, it’s time for him to grow into a staple within the unit. Keeping Goff upright will be key, but his efforts in the run game will not go unnoticed.
Along with veteran Taylor Decker, the Lions have solid bookend tackles. The group should be reliable, and allow Detroit to do whatever it wants on offense.
If Sewell can take the next step and move into the conversation among the top blockers in the league, Detroit will likely be much improved offensively in 2022.
