Tag: lions

Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker takes the field during player introductions before the Detroit Lions game against the Carolina Panthers at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.

Lions LT Taylor Decker says he’s returning for 11th season in 2026

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After some time deliberating his future, Lions left tackle Taylor Decker announced he’ll return for an 11th season with Detroit in 2026 on Tuesday.

Decker, 32, announced the news on Instagram with a picture of himself running onto the field and a caption reading, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am; SEND ME!” #Year11″

The 16th overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2016 NFL Draft, Decker has started all 140 regular-season games as well as five playoff contests that he has played with Detroit.

He was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024, but admitted he had to battle through a shoulder injury last season which severely limited him in practice and made him seriously consider stepping away from the game.

“If that’s what my future is going to be to continue to play — that’s not something I’m willing to do. Because I’m not willing to put my family through it,” Decker said after the season finale on Jan. 4. “I’m not willing to be distant and not be a present father, because your kids are only little once, and, God willing, we have more. I want to be able to play with them. I want to be able to throw the ball with them. I mean, I can’t throw a football right now. No way.”

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates a first down against Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.

Lions selected to play in Munich in 2026

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The Detroit Lions will play a regular season game in 2026 in Munich, Germany, the NFL announced on Tuesday.

The Lions’ opponent and date will be announced when the full schedule is revealed in the spring.

The Munich game is one of a record nine international contests taking place across four continents next season.

Allianz Arena, the 70,000-seat home of Bundesliga powerhouse FC Bayern Munich, is the site of the game. The stadium will also host a game in 2028, with the NFL playing games in Berlin in 2027 and 2029.

“Germany continues to be a key market in the NFL’s international growth ambitions, with Europe’s largest fanbase,” said NFL Germany general manager Alexander Steinforth. “We are excited to welcome the Detroit Lions to play in the 2026 NFL Munich game — and in partnership with the Lions, FC Bayern Munich and the City of Munich, we look forward to bringing an incredible NFL experience to fans across the region in the NFL 2026 season.”

The Lions have marketing rights in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as part of the league’s global markets program.

“We are thrilled to be playing internationally and specifically in Munich for the 2026 season,” said Lions president and CEO Rod Wood. “As an organization, we have invested greatly in the German market and are excited to play in front of our passionate German fans.”

Playing in Germany holds special significance for Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown.

“It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” the two-time All-Pro receiver said. “I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.”

The Lions’ two previous international games were played in London in 2014 and 2015.

–Field Level Media

Detroit LIons Tracy Scroggins exchanges words with Green Bay Packers Marco Rivera after a play during the second quarter of their game Sunday, December 10, 2000 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo by Dale Guldan)

Former Lions DE Tracy Scroggins dies at 56

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tracy Scroggins, who spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions, died Monday. He was 56.

The Lions announced the passing of the former defensive end but did not provide a cause of death.

His family issued a statement to TMZ, however, that blamed football, saying they believed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. That can be diagnosed only after death.

Scroggins was among the thousands of former players to sue the NFL over concussion-related symptoms. The case was settled in 2015.

“Playing in the NFL gave Tracy the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream and to rise from poverty,” the family statement read. “However, unfortunately, the NFL was also ultimately the cause of his untimely demise. Tracy spent every moment of retirement courageously battling the devastating effects of CTE. While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace.”

Scroggins appeared in 142 games (89 starts) with the Lions from 1992-2001. The team selected the Oklahoman in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft out of Tulsa.

He retired with 60.5 sacks, 321 tackles (23 for loss), eight forced fumbles and seven recoveries, and an interception.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy, center, listens during a press conference while being represented by Head Murphy Law attorney Sean Murphy, left, and Head Murphy Law founder and Managing Member Shawn Head,right, during a press conference at Head Murphy Law in Farmington Hills on Friday, December 26, 2025, while discussing the fan involved in an altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers player DK Metcalf at the Detroit Lions game at Ford Field last Sunday.

Lions fan files $100M lawsuit over DK Metcalf incident

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The Detroit Lions fan involved in a December altercation with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf has filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against the wide receiver and others.

Ryan Kennedy continues to suffer physically and has experienced “reputational damage and economic harm” since the Dec. 21 incident at Detroit’s Ford Field, according to a suit filed Tuesday in Wayne County (Mich.) Circuit Court.

Kennedy was in the first row behind the Steelers’ bench when he and Metcalf exchanged words before the receiver appeared to reach up, grab Kennedy by the shirt and take a swing at him.

The day after the game, former NFL wideout Chad Johnson said on his “Nightcap” podcast with former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe that Kennedy had used a racial slur during the confrontation.

“Based on what I was told, from a reliable source, who wears number four that’s what it was — (Kennedy) called (Metcalf) the N-word,” Johnson said, according to the lawsuit.

Kennedy has denied the allegation.

“The N-Word is the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in the English language. No other word expresses so much hatred and bigotry,” Kennedy’s attorney Jon Marko told The Athletic on Tuesday. “Falsely accusing someone of using that word hurts not only the person falsely accused, but hurts every true victim of racial hatred and bigotry.”

The lawsuit also names Ford Field for failing to protect Kennedy, as well as Sharpe’s company, Shay Shay Media, and All Time Sports, which hosts “Nightcap.”

Marko said Kennedy is seeking damages “as well as court-ordered public retractions from all defendants to clear his name. Mr. Kennedy maintains that he never used any racial slurs or hate speech whatsoever.”

The NFL suspended Metcalf, 28, for two games after the incident. The two-time Pro Bowler returned for the playoffs and had two catches for 42 yards in a 30-6 wild-card loss to the Houston Texans.

–Field Level Media

Reports: Lions hire ex-Giants interim coach Mike Kafka

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Former interim New York Giants head coach Mike Kafka has agreed to join the Detroit Lions’ staff, according to multiple reports.

Kafka, 38, served as the Giants’ offensive coordinator for three-and-a-half seasons before assuming the head-coaching reins after Brian Daboll’s firing on Nov. 10. The Giants fashioned a 2-5 record during his tenure and averaged 23.1 points per game.

Kafka was interviewed to become the full-time head coach, but the Giants hired longtime Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Kafka also interviewed to replace the fired Johnny Morton as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, but Detroit hired ex-Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

Kafka’s title with the Lions has not been specified, but he is expected to fulfill a “high-ranking” offensive staff role.

The Lions fired Morton despite ranking fourth in the NFL in points (481) and fifth in total yards (6,344). Both of those numbers fell short of the standard set in 2024 by Ben Johnson, who parlayed Detroit’s 564 points (first) and 6,962 yards (second) into the Chicago Bears’ head-coaching job.

–Field Level Media

Lions OT Dan Skipper: ‘Time for me to ‘report’ as retired’

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Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper announced his retirement from the NFL over social media on Thursday.

Skipper, 31, started five of the 12 games in which he appeared this season and 16 of the 69 in his career with the Lions and Houston Texans.

“24 years of putting on pads and a helmet every fall,” Skipper wrote on Instagram. “This year I’ll trade that out to pursue a career on the other side in coaching.

“The memories and experiences that the NFL has brought me and my family are hard to put into words. Thankful for every person that has been a part of my journey.

“It’s time for me to ‘report’ as retired (Sorry I had to do it one last time!)”

Skipper’s joke about reporting stems from a controversial ending in Detroit’s 20-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 30, 2023.

Officials ruled Skipper reported as an eligible receiver on a two-point conversion attempt in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. Fellow offensive lineman Taylor Decker caught a pass for the apparent successful conversion. However, the Lions were flagged for illegal touching as officials ruled Decker wasn’t eligible.

Skipper caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in the Lions’ 48-42 setback versus the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024.

According to a report, Skipper is volunteering as an offensive line coach at the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl. He will be working with the East team. The contest is Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

Reports: Lions land on ex-Cards OC Drew Petzing for same role

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The Detroit Lions have hired former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to the same position, multiple outlets reported Monday.

After losing successful playcaller Ben Johnson to be the head coach of the Bears last offseason, the Lions struggled with Josh Morton calling plays this season. Head coach Dan Campbell initially demoted Morton from play-calling duties midseason before Morton was ultimately fired Jan. 6.

Petzing, 38, served as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator and playcaller since 2023 and takes over a potent Lions offense that finished as the No. 1 scoring team in 2024 and tied for fourth in 2025.

After losing quarterback Kyler Murray five games into the season, Petzing and the Cardinals rolled with Jacoby Brissett for the rest of the schedule, leading to a 3-14 record. Petzing’s offense finished 19th in yards per game (325.8), seventh in passing yards per game (232.6) and 23rd in points per game (20.9).

Before joining Arizona’s staff, Petzing was an offensive assistant for the Minnesota Vikings (2014-19) and a tight ends coach and quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns (2020-22).

–Field Level Media

Lions fire OC John Morton after one season

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John Morton, who was relieved of his play-calling duties eight games into his first season as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, was fired on Tuesday.

The Lions announced they had “parted ways” with Morton, 56, after finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs in a season with championship expectations.

Morton replaced Ben Johnson, who left to be the Chicago Bears’ head coach after guiding the Lions to spectacular offensive numbers in 2024.

Under Johnson, Detroit boasted the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense (33.2 points per game) and finished second in total offense (409.5 yards per game) in 2024. Detroit’s points (564) and regular-season wins (15) that year were franchise records.

Head coach Dan Campbell took over as offensive play-caller for the Lions this season after a 27-24 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 2 dropped the team to 5-3. Detroit beat the host Washington Commanders 44-22 on Nov. 9.

At the end of the 2025 regular season, the Lions ranked fifth in the league in total offense (373.2 yards per game), third in passing (253.1) and 14th in rushing (120.1). Detroit was tied for fourth with the Buffalo Bills at 28.3 points per game.

Morton returned to the organization after a two-year stint as the pass game coordinator in Denver, where in 2024 the Broncos finished 20th in the NFL in pass offense (212.4) and averaged 25.0 points per game.

He spent the 2022 season with the Lions as a senior offensive assistant before joining the Broncos in 2023. The Michigan native previously worked with Detroit quarterback Jared Goff during Johnson’s first season as offensive coordinator.

–Field Level Media

Lions sneak past Bears, 19-16

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Jake Bates kicked a 42-yard field goal on the final play and the Detroit Lions topped the NFC North champion Bears, 19-16, in Chicago on Sunday.

Chicago (11-6), which rallied from a 16-0 deficit in the fourth quarter, held onto the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs despite the loss thanks to Philadelphia’s loss to Washington. The Bears, who clinched the division the previous week, will host the Green Bay Packers on wild-card weekend.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff passed for 331 yards and a touchdown. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 80 yards and also caught a touchdown pass, while Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 11 passes for 139 yards as the Lions finished with a 9-8 record.

Following a Bears punt, the Lions drove 39 yards to set up Bates’ game winner. The key play was Goff’s connection over the middle to St. Brown, who spun out of a tackle and gained an extra 10 yards on the 26-yard connection.

Caleb Williams passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears. Colston Loveland caught 10 passes for 91 yard and a touchdown.

The Bears were limited to 69 yards in the first half and the Lions grabbed a 13-0 lead.

Bates kicked field goals of 34 and 30 yards. St. Brown’s 30-yard reception set up Goff’s 15-yard scoring pass to Gibbs.

The Bears drove into Lions territory midway through the third quarter but Avonte Maddox intercepted a long Williams pass attempt in the end zone. Detroit then embarked on an 11-play drive which ended with a 25-yard Bates field goal to make it 16-0.

Chicago broke through during the opening minute of the fourth quarter on Williams’ 25-yard scoring pass to Jahdae Walker. Kyle Monangai rushed for the 2-point conversion to cut the Lions’ lead to 16-8.

The Bears tied the score with 5:25 remaining on an 88-yard drive capped when Williams found Loveland for 27 yards. The duo connected again for a 1-yard TD, and Williams went to tight end Cole Kmet for the 2-point conversion on a contested grab in the middle of the end zone.

–Field Level Media

Vikings win fourth straight, knock Lions out of playoff race

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Jordan Addison broke free for a 65-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and the Minnesota Vikings pulled away for a 23-10 win over the eliminated Detroit Lions on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Aaron Jones Sr. also rushed for a touchdown for Minnesota (8-8), which won its fourth game in a row. Max Brosmer completed 9 of 16 passes for 51 yards in place of No. 1 quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed the game because of a hairline fracture in his right hand.

Jared Goff completed 18 of 29 passes for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Detroit (8-8). The loss removed the Lions from playoff contention and secured a postseason berth for the Green Bay Packers.

Lions players watched despondently from the sideline as the final minutes ticked down. Detroit reached the NFC Championship Game two seasons ago and lost in the divisional round as the No. 1 seed last season, and it was considered a championship contender this season before encountering a bevy of injuries and narrow losses.

Addison gave the Vikings a double-digit lead with 3:43 remaining. He took a handoff and outraced the Lions’ secondary down the sideline before diving over the front right pylon for the touchdown.

Will Reichard made a 42-yard field goal to finish the scoring for Minnesota with 1:04 left.

The Vikings got on the board first with 1:35 remaining in the first quarter. On third-and-goal from the 1, Jones barreled into the end zone to steer Minnesota to a 7-0 lead.

Detroit pulled even at 7-all with 1:05 to go before halftime. Goff fired a high pass for wideout Isaac TeSlaa, who made a leaping grab and held on to the ball as he crashed to the turf.

Minnesota regained a 10-7 lead when Reichard drilled a 52-yard field goal with 3:03 left in the third quarter.

Reichard struck again, this time from 56 yards, to increase the Vikings’ lead to 13-7 with 1:57 to go in the third. An interception by Minnesota safety Harrison Smith set up the scoring opportunity.

The Lions pulled within 13-10 on a 48-yard field goal by Jake Bates with 4:39 remaining.

–Field Level Media