The Detroit Lions may have stumbled to a 9-8 record in 2025, but don't count them out just yet. NFL.com recently ranked them among the league's most complete rosters, coming in at No. 6 on Eric Edholm's list—proof that the league still sees plenty of promise in Motor City.

Edholm highlighted the Lions' resilience, noting their impressive plus-68 point differential despite playing in the NFL's toughest division. "This team might not boast quite as much firepower as it did a few years ago, but it remains a top-tier roster," he wrote. That's high praise for a squad that missed the playoffs but never lost its competitive edge.

At the heart of the offense is Jared Goff, who continues to deliver elite production. Over the past four seasons, the veteran quarterback has averaged over 4,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns—numbers that place him firmly in the upper echelon of NFL signal-callers. And he's got plenty of weapons to work with. While the departure of bruising running back David Montgomery could shift the offensive identity, Jahmyr Gibbs remains one of the league's most electrifying playmakers. Add in wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, tight end Sam LaPorta, and emerging target Isaac TeSlaa, and this offense has the firepower to light up the scoreboard.

The offensive line faces some questions after Taylor Decker's release, but Penei Sewell—arguably the best tackle in the game—is expected to slide over to the blind side with ease. The real test will be whether rookie right tackle Blake Miller and the interior can hold up. But with this arsenal of skill players, the Lions have the potential to hang 30-plus points on most opponents.

Defensively, the unit remains the biggest question mark—but there's reason for optimism. The Lions boast elite playmakers at every level: Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive line, Jack Campbell at linebacker, and Brian Branch in the secondary (though Branch is recovering from a major injury). The rest of the group looks solid to average, but with a young secondary poised to develop and a defensive line that could take incremental steps forward, there's room for growth.

Sure, fans have every right to feel frustrated after falling short of expectations in 2025. But with a new offensive voice at the helm and a roster that NFL analysts still view as top-10 material, the Lions are far from a team in decline. They're a team reloading—and that's something to get excited about.