The Detroit Lions have had a high-powered offense under Dan Campbell. While some would point to former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the reason the Lions have scored the most points in the NFL over the past two seasons, they’ve also done it with one of the best receiver groups in the league.
With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams locked into starting roles, fans won’t have to worry about getting a new jersey soon (unless they’re changing their number). But the latest addition in the receiver room could be coming for a current starter’s job and it could force a fan favorite into a reserve role.
Lions WR Tim Patrick Could Lose Starting Role to Rookie Isaac TeSlaa
One of the best stories of the Lions' 2024 season was the emergence of receiver Tim Patrick. Patrick missed the previous two seasons with a torn ACL and a torn Achilles tendon but found his way into Detroit’s lineup, catching 33 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns.
Although his resilience endeared Lions fans, the 32-year-old is still a couple of years removed from his best production. A former UDFA out of Utah, Patrick began his career with the Denver Broncos and had back-to-back solid seasons before the injuries set in. After catching 51 passes for 742 yards and six touchdowns during the 2020 season and catching 53 passes for 734 yards and five touchdowns during the 2021 season, Patrick appeared to be out of football before the Lions brought him in just before the start of last year.
Patrick is currently slated for a starting role as the Lions prepare for this season. But he may not be able to fend off rookie Isaac TeSlaa. There were a few eyebrows raised when Brad Holmes traded up a full round in April’s draft and dubbed the Michigan native his favorite receiver in the draft. But TeSlaa has done his best to validate those claims during training camp and his performance in the Hall of Fame game.
TeSlaa only caught two passes for 46 yards during the Lions' 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers to open the preseason. But his athleticism was on display as a player who was a former junior college quarterback before transferring to Arkansas. If that wasn’t enough, TeSlaa’s blocking ability has also stood out, delivering a violent block on a play in practice that sent receivers coach Scottie Montgomery and the rest of the team into a frenzy, according to The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy.
Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa had a violent block on Nick Whiteside in the end zone, paving the way for a Tom Kennedy touchdown. You could hear it from Grand Rapids. Offense was more pumped about the block than the TD. Scottie Montgomery LOVED it. TeSlaa was fired up.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 5, 2025
The momentum is starting to build as the Lions enter their second preseason game with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night and it could be a matter of when TeSlaa enters the starting lineup. While Patrick will likely remain on the team, any expectations of a bigger role could lead to disappointment if TeSlaa continues to impress.