The Detroit Lions and 31 other NFL teams have a busy next few days as they trim their rosters from 90 to an initial 53, start assembling their practice squads, and then begin their preparations for a fast-approaching Week 1 slate of games in the NFL.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media Monday morning ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline to construct their initial 53-man roster. Here are all the key questions from Campbell's press conference:
What does Campbell think of the roster overall heading into his fifth season?
Detroit is coming off a 15-2 record and No. 1 overall seed in the NFC last year and Campbell thinks this year's version of the roster is the best he's had going into a season.
"This looks pretty good. This is the best we've felt about it, kind of top to bottom," he said. "Now, that being said, there are still holes. But I bring this up all the time – every roster has holes. And you'll never have it exactly where you totally want it.
"But, from where we've come, year after year, we've taken it to another level. And that's a credit to Brad (Holmes). You know, what Brad's done in the personnel department is outstanding. He's just continued to elevate the floor.
"We don't even really know the ceiling, there's so many of these players that are continuing to get better and better that are really good players. But by doing that, the floor has really raised. And so, our baseline is pretty dang good right now."
ESPN released a prediction of who will finish the season as the Top 100 players in the NFL and eight Lions players – Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jared Goff, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph and Sam LaPorta – made their list.
It's certainly a talented roster Holmes and Campbell have assembled heading into 2025.
Is this the best defensive roster Detroit's had in Campbell's tenure?
It certainly looked like it in camp. The defense won more days than the offense and it was telling that the offense's best day was the first day of joint practices against Miami when they didn't have to play their defense for the first time.
"From what I've seen practicing against our offense, it looks pretty dang good," Campbell said.
Campbell was quick to point out that the unit only faced another No. 1 offense three times in joint practices so he doesn't want to get ahead of himself, but he likes where the defense is at heading into the season.
"I think the unit is good. I think the personnel is good. I think Shep (Kelvin Sheppard) has done a nice job with the system and those coaches," Campbell said. "I think we're in a good place in late August.
"We've got guys who are playmakers. We got guys who are smart. We can make a lot of checks and get into a lot of different calls. We can create turnovers. We just have to stay healthy and keep getting better."
Detroit's defense ranked seventh in points allowed and 20th in total defense last season. They were No. 1 in third-down defense, No. 5 against the run, and No. 7 in red-zone efficiency but ranked 30th against the pass. If Detroit can improve against the pass and maintain in those other areas, the defense should take a big step in 2025.
Why is practice squad construction so important?
The Lions made 16 different transactions last season signing players off their practice squad to the active roster. It's not a matter of if injuries are going to happen but when, and the 16 players on the practice squad are the most effective way to fill holes on the roster due to injury or performance during the season.
Detroit has some tough decisions to make at a few spots getting to 53 and some of the players who don't make the initial 53 could sign back to the practice squad so the team can continue to work with and develop them.
It's also important to note that the team is always looking for ways to improve the roster. There are more than 1,000 players being released around the NFL this week and maybe Detroit will view a few of them as roster upgrades.
"There will be a number of those guys that we'd be excited to have back that we trust," Campbell said. "But at the same token we're looking at other rosters too. We're looking to see if there's some guys that we feel like can upgrade us in other areas on the practice squad."
Campbell likes a mix on the practice squad of players who have been in the building and players they maybe liked in the draft process or liked their tape and want to get in Detroit to see if they are good fits here.
View photos from the Detroit Lions vs. Houston Texans Preseason Week 3 game at Ford Field on Saturday, August 23 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Kyle Allen (8) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James (80) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Kyle Allen (8) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Steven Stilianos (43) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Ian Kennelly (27) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
The Detroit Lions huddle before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) returns a kick during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) returns a kick during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (41) and Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) hurdles over a defender during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) celebrate after a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) kicks an extra point during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (95) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Isaac Ukwu (45) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Nate Lynn (57) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Nate Lynn (57) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) sacks Houston Texans quarterback Graham Mertz (18) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) celebrates after a sack during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) celebrates after a sack during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) and Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (24) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Tyson Russell (35) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Tyson Russell (35) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Deon Jackson (36) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (43) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) and Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Gunner Britton (78) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Zack Johnson (77), Detroit Lions guard Netane Muti (52), Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2), and Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
How will players returning from injured reserve impact roster decisions?
There are a few players that won't be ready Week 1 because they're still rehabbing injuries but are expected back sometime this season like defensive lineman Alim McNeill, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez and edge rusher Josh Paschal to name a few.
Those returns at some point this season factor into the decisions made in the next two days, per Campbell.
"You do have to think about it. if we go this route with these players and everything happens the way you want it to where nobody gets hurt and everything is great then who are those you're releasing?" he said.
"Then you release those players. Is somebody else going to claim them, or would they be available to come back on practice squad, or would they want to come back on practice squad? You do go through all of those and that's hard too."
