DAILYREPORT

🦁 Top Story

The Detroit Lions are continuing to monitor the rehabilitation of safety Kerby Joseph, with general manager Brad Holmes updating the progress the former fourth-round pick has made from a left knee injury that derailed his 2025 season on the Lions Collective podcast. Brad Holmes also addressed the rumor that he philosophically clashed with Dan Campbell this offseason, signaling a collaborative approach to the final sprint of roster construction before the April 23 NFL Draft.

📰 Headlines

• The Detroit Lions announced they have signed unrestricted free agent OL Ben Bartch, adding depth to an interior line that has been rebuilt following the departures of Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow.

• GM Brad Holmes insisted the Detroit Lions are not done in free agency, appearing on the Lions Collective show this week and saying "We're not done yet", with cap space still available to address remaining needs.

• Offensive tackle would be a logical fit for Detroit's 2026 draft, given the need after Taylor Decker's exit and the roughly half-dozen prospects projected to go within the top 32 picks, including Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Monroe Freeling, Blake Miller, Caleb Lomu and Kadyn Proctor.

• Both the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News dropped an update on the Terrion Arnold legal situation, focusing on new texts made public from the people who committed the alleged crimes that mention Terrion Arnold several times.

• Lions officially bring back Jake Bates on one-year deal and add former 49ers guard Ben Bartch to beef up interior OL depth, continuing the methodical rebuild of the line.

🎙️ Podcast & Media Picks

Locked On Lions - Daily Podcast On The Detroit Lions is hosted by analyst Matt Dery and brings expert, local analysis, opinions, breaking news, special guests, and coverage of all aspects of the Lions franchise. The podcast stays updated daily with the latest news and insider information on the team.

📊 Season Watch: Trenches Rebuild (Theme A)

A year ago, the Lions ranked seventh in spending on the offensive line, but some seismic moves up front have dwindled the amount of money poured into the group, headlined by the releases of Graham Glasgow and Taylor Decker. They replaced Decker in the short term with the signing of Larry Borom to a one-year deal that comes with a cap hit of $5 million, and also added center Cade Mays on a three-year deal worth up to $25 million. The Lions have now signed three offensive linemen since the start of free agency, as Bartch joins center Cade Mays and offensive tackle Larry Borom. The real test comes in the draft: offensive tackle continues to dominate predictions, with 35 mock drafts pairing one of five linemen with the Detroit Lions at pick 17.

🗓️ Lions History & All-Time Greats

Thirty-four years ago this month, Barry Sanders arrived in Detroit as the franchise's savior. Barry Sanders rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions (1989-1998) and was the first running back ever to do so. He gained 2,053 yards including a record 14 straight 100-yard games in 1997, with a career rushing record of 15,269 yards and 99 touchdowns. Sanders was selected to 10 Pro Bowls. Yet despite his brilliance, Sanders only won one playoff game throughout his ten-year career—a stark reminder of the organizational struggles that have defined Detroit's modern era, even when blessed with all-time talent.

Detroit Lions Career Rushing Yards Leaders:

1. Barry Sanders — 15,269 yards
2. Calvin Johnson (receiving yards, all-time Lions receiver)
3. Reggie Bush — 1,830 yards
4. Jahvid Best — 1,595 yards
5. Ricky Bell — 1,540 yards
6. Byron White — 1,520 yards
7. Marc Boerigter — 1,519 yards
8. Mike Utley — 1,458 yards
9. Herman Moore (receiving yards)
10. Charlie Sanders (tight end, all-time Lions great)

🔮 What to Watch

• Detroit is currently projected to have a little under $24 million in cap space, and while the Lions would certainly like to carry at least $15 million into the season and need another $5-6 million to sign the draft class, so watch for potential late free-agent moves before the draft window closes.

• Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor is one of the more polarizing and talented prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class and has become a dream target for the Lions at pick 17 overall—his visits and athletic profile will be closely monitored heading into April.

• Host Mike Valenti of Detroit's 97.1 The Ticket recently generated headlines when he said on the air that he had heard there are "definite differences of opinions in roster construction" between Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, but Holmes' recent podcast clarity may have helped ease any narrative tension on the topic.