Will the Detroit Lions have a bounce-back 2025 season?
After falling short of their loftiest preseason expectations in decades, the Lions find themselves looking to prove themselves as contenders rather than having a one-off dominant season in 2023, where they were moments away from reaching the Super Bowl before a massive comeback from the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
The Lions' defense may rediscover their form with Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Aidan Hutchinson, set to return after fracturing both his fibula and tibia in Week 6 of last season.
Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball. The Lions will turn to John Morton to fill the massive shoes of now-former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who took the head coaching job of the Lions' NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears.
With Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery set to return to form one of the league's best backfield tandems, could a rookie prove to be Jared Goff's new favorite target not named Amon-Ra St. Brown?
#Lions rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa has been turning heads in camp and is working his way into a role within the offense. The team loves his all-out effort every snap, his strong hands/ability at the catch-point, and the way his blocking in the run game stands out — a Dan Campbell… pic.twitter.com/sPVE37KII1
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 11, 2025
WR Isaac TeSlaa Continues to Climb Lions Depth Chart
On Friday night, Isaac TeSlaa remained white-hot as he found the end zone for a second-straight game.
The Lions' rookie third-round receiver caught the world's attention during the team's Hall of Fame Game loss against the Los Angeles Chargers last week, where he led all players with 46 receiving yards.
TeSlaa's impressive preseason performance has turned heads inside the Lions' facility as NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that the club's head coach Dan Campbell is over the moon about not only the rookie's receiving ability, but also his willingness to use his massive 6-foot-4, 214-pound frame to block in the running game.
"Lions rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa has been turning heads in camp and is working his way into a role within the offense. The team loves his all-out effort every snap, his strong hands/ability at the catch-point, and the way his blocking in the run game stands out — a Dan Campbell staple. Detroit traded up to get TeSlaa in a bold move and he’s absolutely a player to watch this season."
With just Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams entrenched as solidified starters heading into the regular season, TeSlaa may have separated himself from the likes of Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, Ronnie Bell, and fellow rookie wideout Dominic Lovett, as the club's third receiver.