It isn't a secret that the Detroit Lions' defensive line and pass rush, specifically, has been an area of concern throughout the last few weeks of the season. A piece of this has been the potential hope of what defensive end Josh Pachal might bring in a possible return. While the defender has been a consistent question mark, there was always hope that this year's return might turn things around and provide a needed boost. A hope that has officially died, with Lions beat writer Ben Raven reporting that Dan Campbell made it known Paschal wouldn't be returning this season.
Even before this was known, there were obvious questions about what Paschal's future might be with the defender in the last year of his rookie contract. The performance has been far below expectations, with only 5.0 sacks in 36 games played. Seemingly, this latest setback is likely going to serve as the final blow to the defender's tenure in Detroit.
The Lions simply cannot continue to excuse keeping a failing piece on the roster. It was already questionable whether to keep the pass rusher before this season's injury prevented him from providing any level of production. Now that the entire 2025 season is going to be missed, it seems obvious that it is time to turn the page.
Lions Have No Choice but to Move on From Josh Paschal After Latest Frustrating Setback
Paschal was drafted 46th overall out of Kentucky in the 2022 NFL draft and has been an undeniable disappointment. While there were never projections of stardom, the pass rusher was expected to have a floor of a rotational piece on a contending team. This hasn't been the case for a Lions pass rush that is in clear need of having more pieces to turn to off the bench.
As frustrating as it might be for Detroit's front office to admit they were wrong, it is time to allow the defender to hit free agency and find a new landing spot. While a change of scenery is unlikely to alter the frustrating results, there is at least a slim possibility of it breathing life back into Paschal's career.
It is clear that the Lions have done everything within reason to make this happen, and there simply isn't a fit in Detroit. Already, there were existing questions about whether this would be Paschal's final year, and it seemed that an answer had been provided with a frustrating injury set to end the defender's 2025 season before it had begun.
For Paschal, there is at least the small chance that a new landing spot provides more opportunity and perhaps a fresh perspective that breathes life back into his career. Otherwise, it seems clear that the pass rusher's career is quickly going to fizzle after spending four frustrating seasons in Detroit.