The Real Cost When Detroit Lions Lose GRIT—Can Dan Campbell Restore the Team’s Edge IN 2026?

Locked On Lions - Daily Podcast On The Detroit Lions

Locked On Podcast Network

Nfl Draft, Football, Daily Podcast, Detroit Lions Football, Nfl Football, Football Podcast, Nfl, Pro Football, Detroit Lions, Salary Cap, Lions Football, Podcast, Sports

4.1 • 680 Ratings

🗓️ 2 April 2026

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Detroit Lions face a pivotal offseason with quiet free agency moves and leadership changes. Can this team recapture the grit and edge that powered their NFC Championship run? Matt Dery examines Dan Campbell’s push for a tougher Detroit squad, the impact of losing veterans like Taylor Decker and Alex Anzalone, and why Penei Sewell and Jack Campbell are primed to become the new locker room leaders. Key topics include Sports Illustrated’s ranking of the Lions’ top free agent signing Cade Mays, reaction to Rod Wood controversies, and insider insight from Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports on the 2024 NFL Draft’s limited talent pool. With questions swirling about offensive line upgrades and the team’s Super Bowl window, Dery explores whether Brad Holmes can make the right draft-day moves to keep Detroit atop the NFC North. Are the Lions ready to meet elevated expectations, or is turbulence ahead?

Transcript

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0:00.0	All right, time to take a deep breath, take a step back, and let's do a state of the state of the lion.
0:12.8	You are Locked on Lions, your daily Detroit Lions podcast.
0:18.0	Part of the Locked on podcast Network, your team every day.
0:24.7	Welcome to everybody, Matt Derry, Lockdown Lions, Lockdown Podcast Network, the number
0:28.5	one sports podcast network on a Thursday edition coming up on the program today.
0:34.0	We'll end the show discussing the draft and something very important that Charles Robinson from Yahoo Sports said on yesterday's show.
0:41.1	We'll do that coming up momentarily. Dan Campbell at the league meetings earlier this week identified two guys that he thinks could be two big time leaders for this football team this season.
0:52.4	We'll get into that coming up momentarily.
0:54.9	Sports Illustrated put out their list of top 50 NFL free agent signings.
0:59.4	The Lions had uno one name on that list.
1:04.0	We'll tell you who that is.
1:05.3	But first, let's begin with a state of the state of the Lions or a state of the Lions.
1:10.5	However you want to say it.
1:11.6	Matt Derry with you, great to have you with us on a Thursday.
1:15.5	We have spent a lot of time and I've read your comments and I appreciate our everyday listeners
1:20.3	that are out there, whether you're hitting me up on Twitter, you're hitting me up on our
1:25.0	Locked Online's YouTube channel or social media channels,
1:27.8	Instagram, TikTok, all of that.
1:29.8	Appreciate all of you.
1:31.0	And I see your comments.
1:32.5	And I love listening to the fans.
1:35.1	And I love hearing from the fans because you guys are the ones that have the pulse of
	...

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