It makes sense why Detroit Lions fans might be frustrated or frustrated with the direction of the team.
After the best regular season in Lions history and earning their first NFC No. 1 seed in 2024, Detroit fell to 9-8 and missed the playoffs entirely. With the new league year and free agency approaching, taking a look at the Lions’ 2026 salary cap situation might also be unsettling for Detroit fans.
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However, the franchise has more financial wiggle room than meets the eye, largely due to its restructuring potential and some cut candidates.
Even after a disappointing 2025 class, the Lions bring back a talented group of stars, including quarterback Jared Goff, wide receivers Amon-La St. Brown and Jameson Williams, running backs Jameer Gibbs and David Montgomery and defensive stars Aidan Hutchinson and Jack Campbell.
ESPN sees the Lions as a prime candidate to bounce back in 2026. When looking at the NFL’s revamped class of 18 non-playoff teams in 2025, the Lions fall into the “no need to panic” category along with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.
Detroit still has one of the most talented rosters in the league and should get back into contention. The hiring of offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is unspectacular but crucial. – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
Fowler and ESPN list edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad as Detroit’s top free agent. One of Fowler’s only concerns is that the Lions have committed nearly $1 billion to star players on extensions and still have extensions available for other young stars like Gibbs, Campbell and tight end Sam Laporta.
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But while the sour taste of 9-8 in 2025 is still fresh in fans’ minds, ESPN sees the Lions, Ravens and Chiefs as clear candidates for a playoff return in 2026.
ESPN’s other non-playoff team tiers are broken down as follows:
a few steps away
Sneaky good tracks
Somewhere between contention and reset
In the process of rebuilding
Comprehensive overhaul
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN says ‘no need to panic’ about Detroit Lions’ 2026 playoff return