The Detroit Lions entered the offseason with significant questions about their offensive line for the second straight year.
As Taylor Decker contemplated retirement, the Lions had to come to terms with the possibility of losing an elite long-term starter at a premium position. It turns out, they won't have to fill a massive hole at left tackle just yet. Decker announced that he is returning for the 2026 season, allowing Lions fans to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Yet, the Lions still have to find a long-term solution at left tackle. Decker dealt with a significant shoulder injury last season and will turn 33 over the summer. Everything that has led him to contemplate retirement this winter is still present.
The Lions were hoping that a long-term solution was Giovanni Manu when they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He was considered a raw prospect who would take a year or two to get up to speed to become an NFL-caliber left tackle. His physical and athletic traits were intriguing enough to be worth a flyer.
Two seasons later, however, Manu isn't any closer to being an answer to Detroit's problems than he was on draft day.
Giovanni Manu's Lions Future Remains in Question After Taylor Decker's Return
After "redshirting" his rookie season, Manu got a brief opportunity in 2025, but couldn't make the most of it. He started in Week 5 against the Bengals, but struggled in his 62 snaps, allowing two sacks, per Pro Football Focus. Then, he suffered a knee injury that cost him the rest of the season. He returned to practice towards the end of the season, but didn't play another snap.
When the Lions returned Manu to practice in December, head coach Dan Campbell admitted that Manu desperately needed more practice reps. He said that the team wanted to "set him up better for next year, training camp going into that next year," instead of trying to see if he could give them something towards the end of the season.
Manu hasn't done much so far in his career to justify the Lions trusting him as a depth tackle on the 53-man roster. He will have to prove himself at camp to earn a spot. This will be an uphill battle, however, considering that the Lions are likely to bring in more competition, either through the draft or free agency.
The next few months will be a major inflection point for Manu's career. How much the Lions invest in left tackle in the offseason will be a sign of how they see Manu in the pecking order. Decker's return may not prevent the Lions from using an early-round pick to draft another left tackle. If that is the case, Manu's fate in Detroit may be sealed.