The NFL has famously been characterized as standing for "Not For Long" as the average career span lasts only around 3.3 years. Given the physicality involved with the game, this isn't overly surprising. Football takes a toll on your body.
Beyond the physical aspect of the game, however, is the fact that a career can come and go without a player truly having an opportunity to show their worth. This appears to be exactly what is occurring with Detroit Lions defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, as the 2024 draft pick is looking less likely to ever become a meaningful piece of the puzzle in the Motor City with each passing day.
Despite receiving some praise from defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers on Friday, Lions fans shouldn't expect to see the former LSU Tigers standout cracking the DT rotation anytime soon, let alone find himself on the active roster.
Mekhi Wingo Has Fallen Victim to a Numbers Game In Detroit
According to Jeremy Reisman of PrideOfDetroit.com, Rodgers suggested that Wingo was "right there" in terms of where the franchise wants him to be with regard to his development. However, that was quickly followed up with the fact that he is on the outside looking in due to the options ahead of him on the depth chart, namely rookie Tyleik Williams and surprise free agent signing Roy Lopez.
With Williams being the team's first-round pick from this past April's draft, there is all the reason in the world for him to be ahead of Wingo in the pecking order at defensive tackle, regardless of whatever issues he had to work through to start his professional career. Lopez, on the other hand, has earned every snap he's played this season after signing a one-year, $4.25 million deal with Detroit during the offseason. As his overall Pro Football Focus grade of 65.6 would suggest, the former Arizona Wildcats standout has been a steady contributor for the Lions' defensive front, ranking among the top third of all eligible defensive tackles.
The fact of the matter is that, no matter how pleased Rodgers and the team may be with his development, Wingo is trending in the wrong direction. After appearing in 11 games during his rookie season in 2024, Wingo has seen the field just once during the 2025 campaign. With no clear path to playing time, the 2024 draft pick could be enjoying his final weeks as a member of the Lions.