DFN Mailbag: OC future, offseason needs, Hutchinson's production and rush alignment, and hindsight roster mulligans

32,000 feet above Missouri — Had a little time to kill flying to Los Angeles, so let’s check the mailbox and see what’s on your mind.

Question: Will any of the Lions coaching staff be in the mix for head coach or coordinator positions this offseason? — Kevin Bodie

Justin: So much of that will be dependent on overlapping connections to new hires around the league. If the New York Giants hired a head coach with an existing working relationship with someone on Detroit’s staff, it would obviously increase the chances of a departure.

In terms of preparedness, I don’t think there’s anyone who is a threat to land a head-coaching job. The closest would be passing game coordinator David Shaw, just because of his previous experience in the role. But I get the sense he doesn’t have interest in going back to the collegiate level, and he doesn’t appear to have any current momentum to draw interest for an NFL vacancy this offseason.

Kelvin Sheppard might see an interview or two this cycle, but I don’t think he’s quite there yet. He’s not as accomplished or as polished as Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson were by the time they got head jobs.

In terms of coordinator viability, Detroit’s defensive backs coaches, DeShea Townsend and Jim O’Neil, would make my short list of viable candidates. Also, assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins is on the cusp of earning a coordinator role after interviewing for multiple vacancies last year.

Lower down the staff, guys like Bruce Gradkowski, Steve Oliver, Dre Thompson and Seth Ryan are among those who could see opportunities to become position coaches.

Question: Justin, you’re the GM of the Lions. What are three moves from 2021-present that you would redo? Bonus points for a realistic alternative to said move that would have been a benefit to the team. — Jack Cawthon

Justin: Obviously, there are a lot of different directions to go with this one, because there are so many moves every offseason.

Here are three that came quickly to mind: Levi Onwuzurike, Ennis Rakestraw and Cam Sutton.

Both Onwuzurike and Rakestraw were strong cultural and schematic fits at positions of need. However, both had red flags tied to their injury history, which has carried over to the professional level.

In terms of alternatives, let’s start with Onwuzurike, and I’m going to cheat a little bit here. If you remember, general manager Brad Holmes said he had to be talked out of trading back into the end of the first round to draft the Washington defensive tackle.

If those conversations were serious, Buffalo was able to snag defensive end Gregory Rousseau No. 30 overall. The 6-foot-6, 266-pounder has been a highly durable, prototypical pocket crusher that the Lions prefer on the edge.

As for Rakestraw, Detroit had already done a lot to address the cornerback spot that offseason, trading for Carlton Davis III, signing Amik Robertson and drafting Terrion Arnold. Rakestraw wasn’t necessarily an excessive addition, but the team had other needs, including quality depth along the offensive line.

The very next pick was Roger Rosengarten, a quality offensive tackle who quickly emerged as a starter in Baltimore. The domino impact here is that the Lions wouldn’t have felt compelled to trade a future third to select Giovanni Manu later in the draft. Hell, maybe Manu ends up working out, but Rosengarten was clearly more NFL-ready.

The Sutton signing was a nightmare in hindsight because of off-field issues, but his one year with the Lions was an on-field disaster. That money could have just as easily been invested in cornerback Byron Murphy, who was snatched up by the Vikings for a similar $11 million per year investment.

Murphy, who despite having a down season this year, has been a ballhawk who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024.

Question: Do the Lions draft a quarterback next year to compete for QB2, or are they good with Kyle Allen? — Kenneth Kirchhof

Justin: Let’s start with this: Allen is on an expiring deal. So, there’s nothing that guarantees he’ll be back, but given he’s playing for the veteran minimum, it’s easy to see the sides coming together on a renewed pact this offseason. Allen picked up the offense quickly in training camp and was solid in the preseason.

That said, the decision to bring back Allen would not preclude the team from drafting a quarterback. And despite swinging and missing with Hendon Hooker, it’s not bad business to try again.

The reason I’m in favor of drafting a backup is that they’re cost-controlled and can be developed within the system to fill a role for up to four seasons. When you have a starter with a top-of-the-market salary, particularly one that’s proven durable, it’s a really good spot to save some money. And having that player in the fold for multiple years creates a level of stability.

Best case, they develop into someone with intriguing starting potential, as either a long-term Goff replacement or a trade chip. Admittedly, the best case doesn’t happen very often in these situations.

Question: Will the Lions trade/cut any notable players this offseason to clear cap space for the upcoming extensions? — Brook Johnson

Justin: It’s difficult for me to project tradable pieces, but there’s typically a culling of excessive cap hits each offseason, regardless of a team’s financial outlook.

As many of you know, I’m not a big fan of predicting which player will or should be out of the job. I can comfortably share which players have significant cap hits where the team will have a decision to make this offseason.

The list of players who offer significant cap relief with their release is relatively small. It includes offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, offensive tackle Taylor Decker, running back David Montgomery and punter Jack Fox.

I plan to dig into all the components of the offseason once the season is over.

Question: Looking to next year, who would you guess is gonna be the Lions’ offensive coordinator/play caller? — Scott D

Justin: It’s not interesting, but I’d say there’s a strong chance they continue with the current setup, with John Morton handling the day-to-day operations during the week and Campbell calling plays on Sunday.

Campbell has made it clear in the past that he enjoys play-calling. And while people will always look for something to nitpick every time there’s a bump in the road, the head coach has the intelligence, feel and trust of the roster to do it. And in the current NFL, it’s just as common for the head coach to call plays as not.

Could the right name become available this offseason to have Campbell change course with those plans? Of course. I would have to dig more into the options after the season to give you informed suggestions about philosophical fits, but I was intrigued by what I saw from Giants interim coach Mike Kafka. That’s a guy who is committed to the run game, mixes in vertical passing, and isn’t afraid to dial up a trick play.

That checks a lot of boxes, but Kafka might get the full-time job. I honestly don’t know, because I’m not following the Giants closely.

One name that’s frequently been mentioned by Lions fans is Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who remains employed by the franchise. He came from San Francisco, so there’s a philosophical overlap with Campbell there. But in charge of his own team, McDaniel built a finesse offense, which doesn’t mesh nearly as well. I’m not sure I see the fit.

Question: I have noticed that Hutchinson is frequently aligned in a wide 9, especially on pass-rushing downs. Do you think this hinders his production? — Nick

Justin: Probably not. Given his strengths — burst and change-of-direction quickness — as well as his subpar arm length, the wide angle allows him to gain speed and threaten the offensive tackle with power, bend, and the inside spin move, because of the space it creates between the tackle and guard.

Hutchinson would be chipped, nudged or doubled, regardless of his alignment, but the build-up speed and rush angle of the wider positioning allows him to accentuate his strengths.

Question: How much room for growth does the offensive line have? What does it look like 2-3 years from now? Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow are near the end of their careers, and Miles Frazier, Tate Ratledge, and Christian Mahogany are all inexperienced. — Al Stahl

Justin: In three years, it’s likely to look significantly different. It’s impossible to project. We’re better off considering the growth of the individuals, and with the three young talents you mentioned, there’s tremendous room for growth with reps and more time in an NFL strength program, given the athletic profiles of Ratledge, Mahogany and Frazier.

In 2028, Glasgow will be long gone, and Decker probably will be, too. I’m reasonably confident he plays next season, but beyond that, it’s uncertain. I’m not capable of telling you what the replacement plan looks like.

Will Manu be a factor? That’s really difficult to say with confidence at his current stage of development. Will Ratledge move to center eventually, or will the Lions draft a more-experienced option?

There are too many moving pieces to give a bigger-picture assessment, but I have a lot of confidence in the current starting guards delivering on their potential. That, paired with continued All-Pro-caliber performance from Penei Sewell, is a strong foundation to build around.

Question: Was Hutchinson more effective last season (while healthy)? —

Justin: Slightly. He was generating more pressure per game and getting to the quarterback more often. But I think you have to genuinely consider the caliber of tackles he faced during his red-hot start last season.

The Rams were missing Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein. The Buccaneers were down Luke Goedeke. The Cardinals were without starter Kelvin Beachum and his primary backup at right tackle. And the Cowboys didn’t have the services of Tyler Guyton.

That’s four of five games where Hutchinson was able to benefit from mismatches against reserves. It’s naive to suggest it didn’t play into his chart-busting production.

Hutchinson is fine. He continues to perform at a Pro Bowl level. He’s not Myles Garrett, who is a generational talent on par with Aaron Donald and Reggie White, but because Hutchinson is paid like Garrett, it creates exorbitant expectations.

Question: If you had to win one game to win the NFC North, which collection of Lions’ skill position players would you pick to play for you:

A) Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Reggie Bush and Joique Bell

B) Goff, St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs and Montgomery. — Mojoirish

Justin: I believe this has been previously framed as a Stafford vs. Goff question, so I appreciate the change-up.

And, man, it’s really, really close. Assuming everything else is the same, including offensive line and play-caller, give me the current collective.

Stafford holds a slight edge at quarterback, and even with Amon-Ra St. Brown’s crazy consistency and production, there’s no debate about WR1. And I’d take Tate, who is stylistically similar to St. Brown, over current Williams. I’m choosing consistency over explosive potential. Admittedly, that opinion is going to flip here sooner than later. Maybe 15 minutes from now.

But there’s a gulf between the ground games of the current and previous tandem. That opens up so much more for everything else and wipes out the edges at the other spots.

Question: With the bad injury news that seems to keep coming, who is coming back this season? — Jon Johnson

Justin: The door is still ajar for Kerby Joseph, even if I wouldn’t bank on it. In terms of guys on injured reserve, the Lions only have two returns remaining from the limit of eight.

I expect those to be used on Manu, who is on track to return to practice next week, and tight end Brock Wright, if Detroit’s postseason hopes are still alive entering Week 18 against the Bears.

Question: Assuming we don’t sign any big free agents this offseason, do you think the loss of Amik Robertson, DJ Reader, Alex Anzalone, Josh Paschel, or any other noteworthy FAs net Brad Holmes compensation picks? — Matt Hunter

Justin: The compensatory formula is based on free agents lost vs. free agents signed, the size of the contracts of those players, and, to a small degree, the performance of those players.

If, for example, Robertson or Anzalone net contracts between $6-10 million, it would put them in the compensatory pool. It probably wouldn’t net a top-tier return, but maybe something in the fifth-round range.

Question: Given the current state of the team (injuries, contracts, depth needs, etc.), which positions do you think the Lions focus on in the next draft? — Philip Fracassi

Justin: The strategy is always going to center around best player available, but we’ve seen Holmes target some bigger needs with his first-round picks, trading up if necessary, as he did with Arnold in 2024.

Additionally, contenders tend to fill needs in free agency, so there’s less of a lure to reach for a position in the draft.

In terms of what the overall needs are shaping up to be in the offseason: Edge, offensive line, safety, cornerback, linebacker

The trenches should absolutely be a priority. Opposite Hutchinson, all of the team’s current options are on expiring deals, and they might be priced out of Al-Quadin Muhammad’s market, given his 2025 performance.

Along the offensive line, a tackle to eventually replace Decker should be strongly considered, and if there’s a compelling center option that keeps Ratledge at guard, that would be a worthwhile approach.

Question: The Lions have not really used the franchise tag (in recent years). Is there potential for that (in the coming offseasons)? — Brandon Walsh

Justin: Not this year. None of Detroit’s pending free agents are the caliber of player that would merit a tag that pays them like a top-10 talent at their position.

In 2027, there could be a discussion, pending the contractual status and health of tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch. But the thing about the franchise tag is that it’s typically a last resort. Unlike a long-term deal, it’s a significant single-year cap obligation, where you can’t spread out the financial burden through various contractual devices like signing bonuses, option bonuses, playing-time incentives and void years.

Plus, most players hate them because the tag is a hindrance to maximizing their earning potential in an industry where a player’s window to capitalize is smaller, even compared to other professional sports.

All that to say, it’s something the team would prefer not to use. Even in the case of durability concerns, if the Lions really wanted to sign LaPorta or Branch, there are ways to mitigate the risks in a deal’s structure. Kerby Joseph’s contract is a good example.

And if the sides can’t reach an agreement, and you don’t use the franchise tag, you have to be prepared to move on. Obviously, you hate to part with a young talent you’ve developed, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. And, as a small consolation, both are players who could net you a comp pick at the end of the third round.