The Detroit Lions are obviously in need of meaningful changes after missing the 2025 playoff field heartbreakingly. Head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes must put every option on the table to keep Detroit's window of contention open and breathe life back into an offense that only managed to put up 10 points in Week 17 with their playoff fate on the line.
All of this adds up to invite meaningful change heading into the offseason, making it clear that several key Detroit pieces are spending their final week with the franchise. With the New Year almost here, here's a look at three Lions who won't be sticking around the Motor City in 2026.
1. John Morton, OC
Offensive coordinator John Morton was given the impossible task of being asked to replace current Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson. The Bears' current playoff standing speaks to the leadership of Johnson and the offensive genius that the Lions have so obviously missed. However, this is no defense of Morton's early-season struggles, which led to Campbell taking over calling plays for the rest of the season.
While Campbell didn't fare all that much better, the head coach now understands the importance of delegating to a capable leader. Morton won't be allowed to call plays again and shouldn't continue to be a part of the coaching staff. With Detroit's impressive weapons group, there should be little problem attracting one of the better play-callers that will be on the coaching market.
The Lions have an embarrassment of offensive talents that are being wasted by Morton's ineptitude. It's beyond obvious that he must be fired and replaced by someone whose mind better fits Detroit's situation.
2. Kyle Allen, QB
While Kyle Allen wasn't a contributor to Detroit's 2025 downfall, that doesn't mean the Lions won't look to improve their backup quarterback situation this offseason.
Allen is slated to hit free agency, leaving Jared Goff as the only quarterback under contract for the 2026 season. Fans watched this past year how important it is to have a viable second option with the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, and Green Bay Packers all being forced to turn to their second option multiple times and remaining in playoff contention.
Detroit must do a better job finding a viable option that isn't going to sink the season if Goff were to miss a game or two. Considering how injury-plagued this roster has been over the last two years, this wouldn't be all that unexpected a situation. There is no shortage of upgrades set to hit the market or that the Lions could target in the draft.
Allen is best utilized as an emergency quarterback, not a primary backup option. The Lions must turn the page on him in favor of a signal-caller who can be trusted when disaster strikes. A career journeyman with a 7-12 record who hasn't started since 2022 isn't that.
3. Shane Zylstra, TE
The loss of tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright exposed just how much Detroit relied on its TEs not only in the passing game, but also in doing the dirty work. Whether it is cleaning up lanes for receivers or helping set the tone at the line of scrimmage, a lot of the struggles running the football at the end of the 2025 season can be traced to tight end play.
Zylstra was forced into a starting role the tight end simply isn't equipped to fill, and that was very quickly exposed as he only has three catches for 20 yards in three games since returning from the injured reserve this month. While you can criticize Campbell for keeping two tight ends on the field so often after the injuries, there is no denying that the Lions are in trouble because of their abysmal TE depth.
Luckily, both Wright and LaPorta are expected to return fully healthy next season, and Zylstra is slated to hit free agency. This leaves no question that the Lions will bring in fresh depth with a new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes dirty work that Wright and LaPorta accomplish for the Lions' offense.