92nd season in franchise history
The 2021 season is the Detroit Lions ' 92nd season in the National Football League , the 20th playing their home games at Ford Field and their first under the head coach /general manager tandem of Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes .[1] [2] They will attempt to improve upon their 5–11 record from last year, make the playoffs for the first time since 2016 , and win their first division title since 1993 .
This will be the Lions' first season since 2008 without long-time quarterback Matthew Stafford , as he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff and three draft picks on January 31, 2021.[3]
Offseason [ ]
Coaching changes [ ]
On January 19, the Lions hired Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator.[4]
On January 20, the Lions hired Dan Campbell as head coach.[5]
On January 23, the Lions hired Anthony Lynn as offensive coordinator.[6]
On January 25, the Lions hired Aubrey Pleasant as defensive back coach and Duce Staley as running backs and assistant head coach.[7] [8]
On January 26, the Lions hired Dave Fipp as special teams coordinator.[9]
On January 28, the Lions hired Mark Brunell as quarterbacks coach.[10]
On January 29, the Lions hired Dom Capers as a senior defensive assistant.[11]
On February 3, the Lions hired Todd Wash as defensive line coach, Kelvin Sheppard and Brian Duker as defensive assistants, and Seth Ryan as assistant wide receivers coach.[12]
On February 9, the Lions hired Antwaan Randle El as wide receivers coach.[13]
Additions [ ]
Departures [ ]
Re-signings [ ]
Trades [ ]
Retirements [ ]
Position
Player
Date retired
TE
Josh Hill
May 5, 2021
Draft [ ]
Pre-draft trades [ ]
The Lions received a 2021 third-round selection as well as 2022 and 2023 first-round selections and quarterback Jared Goff from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford .[3]
The Lions traded a conditional sixth-round selection, which could become a fifth rounder, to Dallas in exchange for defensive end Everson Griffen .[48]
The Lions traded safety Quandre Diggs and a 2021 seventh-round selection to Seattle in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round selection.[49]
Staff [ ]
Front office
Owner – Sheila Ford Hamp
Vice chairpeople – William Clay Ford Jr. , Martha Ford Morse and Elizabeth Ford Kontulis
Team president – Rod Wood
Special Assistant to Chairman and President & CEO – Chris Spielman
Executive vice president/general manager – Brad Holmes
Assistant general manager – Ray Agnew
Senior vice president of football & business administration –
Vice president of player personnel – Vacant
Director of player personnel –
Director of pro scouting –
Senior personnel executive – John Dorsey
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Offensive coordinator – Anthony Lynn
Quarterbacks – Mark Brunell
Wide receivers – Antwaan Randle El
Assistant wide receivers – Seth Ryan
Tight ends – Ben Johnson
Offensive line – Hank Fraley
Offensive quality control – Tanner Engstrand
Offensive quality control – Steve Oliver
WCF minority fellowship – Deon'tae Pannell
Defensive coaches
Defensive coordinator – Aaron Glenn
Defensive line – Todd Wash
Inside linebackers – Mark DeLeone
Outside linebackers – Kelvin Sheppard
Pass game coordinator/defensive backs – Aubrey Pleasant
Senior defensive assistant – Dom Capers
Defensive assistant – Brian Duker
Defensive quality control – Stephen Thomas
Special teams coaches
Special teams coordinator – Dave Fipp
Assistant special teams – Jett Modkins
Strength and conditioning
Director of sports performance – Mike Clark
Head strength & conditioning – Josh Schuler
Assistant strength & conditioning – Morris Henry
→ Coaching staff
→ Management
→ More NFL staffs
AFC East
BUF
MIA
NE
NYJ
North
BAL
CIN
CLE
PIT
South
HOU
IND
JAX
TEN
West
DEN
KC
LV
LAC
NFC East
DAL
NYG
PHI
WAS
North
CHI
DET
GB
MIN
South
ATL
CAR
NO
TB
West
ARI
LAR
SF
SEA
Current roster [ ]
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Preseason [ ]
The Lions' preliminary preseason schedule was announced on May 13. The exact dates and times were announced on May 20.[50]
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Recap
1
Buffalo Bills
L 15–16
0–1
Ford Field
Recap
2
at Pittsburgh Steelers
L 20–26
0–2
Heinz Field
Recap
3
Indianapolis Colts
L 17–27
0–3
Ford Field
Recap
Regular season [ ]
Schedule [ ]
The Lions schedule was released on May 13, 2021.[51]
Week
Date
Time (ET )
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
TV
Recap
1
September 12
1:00 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers
L 33–41
0–1
Ford Field
Fox
Recap
2
8:15 p.m.
at Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field
ESPN
3
September 26
1:00 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens
Ford Field
CBS
4
October 3
1:00 p.m.
at Chicago Bears
Soldier Field
Fox
5
October 10
1:00 p.m.
at Minnesota Vikings
U.S. Bank Stadium
Fox
6
October 17
1:00 p.m.
Cincinnati Bengals
Ford Field
Fox
7
October 24
4:05 p.m.
at Los Angeles Rams
SoFi Stadium
Fox
8
October 31
1:00 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles
Ford Field
Fox
9
Bye
10
November 14
1:00 p.m.
at Pittsburgh Steelers
Heinz Field
Fox
11
November 21
1:00 p.m.
at Cleveland Browns
FirstEnergy Stadium
Fox
12
November 25
12:30 p.m.
Chicago Bears
Ford Field
Fox
13
December 5
1:00 p.m.
Minnesota Vikings
Ford Field
CBS
14
December 12
4:05 p.m.
at Denver Broncos
Empower Field at Mile High
Fox
15
December 19
1:00 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals
Ford Field
Fox
16
December 26
1:00 p.m.
at Atlanta Falcons
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Fox
17
January 2
4:25 p.m.
at Seattle Seahawks
Lumen Field
Fox
18
January 9
1:00 p.m.
Green Bay Packers
Ford Field
Fox
Notes:
Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Networks and times from Weeks 5–18 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling ; Week 12 is exempt, as it occurs on Thanksgiving.
Week 18 is subject to being flexed to Saturday, January 8.
Game summaries [ ]
Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers [ ]
Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
49ers
7
24
7 3 41
Lions
0
10
7 16 33
at Ford Field , Detroit, Michigan
Date : September 12Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDT Game weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 59,374Referee : Brad Rogers TV announcers (Fox ) : Kevin Kugler , Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin Recap , Game Book
show Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DET – T. J. Hockenson 6-yard pass from Jared Goff (Austin Seibert kick), 13:29. Tied 7–7. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 7:12.
SF – Elijah Mitchell 38-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 11:12. 49ers 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 2:17.
DET – Austin Seibert 49-yard field goal, 6:13. 49ers 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 4:59.
SF – JaMycal Hasty 3-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 2:25. 49ers 21–10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:48.
SF – Dre Greenlaw 39-yard interception return (Robbie Gould kick), 1:10. 49ers 28–10.
SF – Robbie Gould 40-yard field goal, 0:03. 49ers 31–10. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 0:41.
Third quarter
SF – Deebo Samuel 79-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo (Robbie Gould kick), 7:54. 49ers 38–10. Drive: 5 plays, 91 yards, 2:22.
DET – D'Andre Swift 43-yard pass from Jared Goff (Austin Seibert kick), 4:23. 49ers 38–17. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:31.
Fourth quarter
SF – Robbie Gould 52-yard field goal, 9:53. 49ers 41–17. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 3:45.
DET – Jamaal Williams 1-yard run (Jared Goff–T. J. Hockenson pass), 1:53. 49ers 41–25. Drive: 12 plays, 86 yards, 3:52.
DET – Quintez Cephus 2-yard pass from Jared Goff (Jared Goff–Quintez Cephus pass), 1:07. 49ers 41–33. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 0:46.
Top passers
SF – Jimmy Garoppolo – 17/25, 314 yards, TD
DET – Jared Goff – 38/57, 338 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
The Lions hosted the San Francisco 49ers to kick off the regular season. The 49ers opened the scoring in the first quarter via a five-yard touchdown pass from Trey Lance to Trent Sherfield . The Lions responded with a six-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to T. J. Hockenson to tie the game. The 49ers added 24 points in the second quarter via a 38-yard touchdown run from Elijah Mitchell , a three-yard touchdown run from JaMycal Hasty , a 39-yard interception return by Dre Greenlaw and a 40-yard field goal by Robbie Gould . The Lions added 49-yard field goal by Austin Seibert , making the score 31–10 in favor of San Francisco at half-time. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter, first a 79-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to Deebo Samuel for San Francisco, then a 43-yard touchdown pass from Goff to D'Andre Swift . The 49ers extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 52-yard field goal by Gouble. The Lions attempted a comeback and added 16 points via a one-yard touchdown run from Jamaal Williams and a two-point conversion pass from Goff to Hockenson, and a two-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Quintez Cephus and a two-point conversion pass from Goff to Cephus. However the Lions failed to convert from the 49ers 19 yard line late in the 4th quarter, making the final score 41–33 in favor of the 49ers.
Week 2: at Green Bay Packers [ ]
Week 2: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
Lions
0
0
0 0 0
Packers
0
0
0 0 0
at Lambeau Field , Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date : Game time : 8:15 p.m. EDT/7:15 p.m. CDT Referee : Adrian Hill TV announcers (ESPN ) : Steve Levy , Brian Griese , Louis Riddick , Lisa Salters and John Parry Preview
In week 2, the Lions will visit their divisional rival the Green Bay Packers for a Monday night match up .
Standings [ ]
Division [ ]
NFC North
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
PF
PA
STK
Minnesota Vikings
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–0
24
27
L1
Detroit Lions
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–1
33
41
L1
Chicago Bears
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–1
14
34
L1
Green Bay Packers
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–1
3
38
L1
Conference [ ]
#
Team
Division
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
SOS
SOV
STK
Division leaders
1
San Francisco 49ers
West
1
0
0
1.000
0–0
1–0
.000
.000
W1
2
New Orleans Saints
South
1
0
0
1.000
0–0
1–0
.000
.000
W1
3
Philadelphia Eagles
East
1
0
0
1.000
0–0
1–0
.000
.000
W1
4
Minnesota Vikings
North
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–0
.000
.000
L1
Wild cards
5
Los Angeles Rams
West
1
0
0
1.000
0–0
1–0
.000
.000
W1
6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
South
1
0
0
1.000
0–0
1–0
.000
.000
W1
7
Arizona Cardinals
West
1
0
0
1.000
0–0
0–0
.000
.000
W1
In the hunt
8
Carolina Panthers
South
1
0
0
1.000
0–0
0–0
.000
.000
W1
9
Seattle Seahawks
West
1
0
0
1.000
0–0
0–0
.000
.000
W1
10
Washington Football Team
East
1
1
0
.500
1–0
1–0
.000
.000
W1
11
Detroit Lions
North
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–1
.000
.000
L1
12
Atlanta Falcons
South
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–1
.000
.000
L1
13
Dallas Cowboys
East
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–1
.000
.000
L1
14
Chicago Bears
North
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–1
.000
.000
L1
15
Green Bay Packers
North
0
1
0
.000
0–0
0–1
.000
.000
L1
16
New York Giants
East
0
2
0
.000
0–1
0–1
.000
.000
L2
Tiebreakers [a]
^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
References [ ]
^ "Dan Campbell as the new Head Coach" . detroitlions.com . January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021 .
^ Patra, Kevin (January 14, 2021). "Lions agree to terms with Brad Holmes on five-year deal as new GM" . NFL.com . Retrieved January 14, 2021 .
^ Jump up to: a b "Lions acquire QB Jared Goff via trade with Los Angeles Rams" . Detroit Lions . March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021 .
^ Shook, Nick (January 19, 2021). "Aaron Glenn set to leave Saints to join Lions as defensive coordinator" . NFL .com . Retrieved January 19, 2021 .
^ Gordon, Grant (January 20, 2021). "Dan Campbell hired as new Lions coach" . NFL.com . Retrieved January 20, 2021 .
^ Scott, Jelani (January 23, 2021). "Lions to hire former Chargers HC Anthony Lynn as offensive coordinator" . NFL.com . Retrieved January 23, 2021 .
^ "Detroit Lions hiring Flint native Aubrey Pleasant as DBs coach: Report" . Detroit Free Press . January 25, 2021.
^ Detroit Lions' early offseason additions point to big 2021 for D'Andre Swift Detroit Free Press , January 25, 2021
^ Detroit Lions officially hire Dave Fipp as special teams coordinator MLive.com, January 26, 2021
^ Report: Detroit Lions expected to hire Mark Brunell as QB coach MLive.com, January 28, 2021
^ Detroit Lions add veteran coach Dom Capers to staff as senior defensive assistant MLive.com, January 29, 2021
^ Detroit Lions hire ex-Jaguars DC Todd Wash as DL coach, 3 other assistants Detroit Free Press , February 3, 2021
^ Detroit Lions to reportedly hire Antwaan Randle El as wide receivers coach MLive.com, February 9, 2021
^ Smith, Michael David (March 3, 2021). "Lions sign Tyrell Williams" . Pro Football Talk . NBC Sports. Retrieved March 3, 2021 .
^ "Lions sign Josh Hill" . Detroit Lions . March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021 .
^ Gordon, Grant (March 16, 2021). "Former Packers RB Jamaal Williams signing with Lions" . NFL.com . Retrieved March 16, 2021 .
^ Birkett, Dave (March 17, 2021). "Detroit Lions add a second Green Bay Packer in free agency, backup QB Tim Boyle" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved March 17, 2021 .
^ "Lions sign free agents QB Tim Boyle, K Randy Bullock & WR Breshad Perriman" . DetroitLions.com . March 22, 2021.
^ "Former Bengals Kicker Randy Bullock Has a New Team" . si.com . Retrieved 21 March 2021 .
^ Lions Sign Former Titans WR Kalif Raymond Fan Nation (Sports Illustrated ), March 23, 2021
^ "Lions sign LB Alex Anzalone and WR Damion Ratley" . www.detroitlions.com. March 24, 2021.
^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent CB Corn Elder" . detroitlions.com. Retrieved 1 April 2021 .
^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent CB Quinton Dunbar" . detroitlions.com. Retrieved 6 April 2021 .
^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent S Dean Marlowe" . detroitlions.com. Retrieved 8 April 2021 .
^ "Detroit Lions sign offensive tackle Darrin Paulo" . prideofdetroit.com. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021 .
^ Jump up to: a b "Lions announce roster moves" . Detroit Lions . March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021 .
^ Birkett, Dave (March 11, 2021). "Detroit Lions to release TE Jesse James as roster overhaul continues" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved March 11, 2021 .
^ Birkett, Dave (March 11, 2021). "Detroit Lions plan to release CB Justin Coleman as defensive makeover continues" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved March 11, 2021 .
^ Rogers, Justin (March 15, 2021). "Lions lose Jarrad Davis, Jamal Agnew; cut Joe Dahl" . The Detroit News . Retrieved March 15, 2021 .
^ Rogers, Justin (March 17, 2021). "Reports: Lions continue roster purge, cutting Danny Shelton, Chase Daniel" . The Detroit News . Retrieved March 17, 2021 .
^ Oehser, John (March 17, 2021). "Official: Marvin Jones agrees to terms" . Jacksonville Jaguars . Retrieved March 17, 2021 .
^ Urban, Darren (March 17, 2021). "Cardinals Bring In Kicker Matt Prater On 2-Year Contract" . Arizona Cardinals . Retrieved March 17, 2021 .
^ Smith, Michael David (March 19, 2021). "Bears sign Desmond Trufant" . NBC Sports . Retrieved March 19, 2021 .
^ Eisen, Michael (March 20, 2021). "Giants sign former Lions WR Kenny Golladay; led NFL in TD catches in 2019" . New York Giants . Retrieved March 26, 2021 .
^ Varley, Teresa (March 24, 2021). "Steelers sign Haeg, Killebrew and Marsh" . Steelers.com . Retrieved March 24, 2021 .
^ "49ers Sign WR Mohamed Sanu" . 49ers.com. March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021 .
^ Patra, Kevin (March 15, 2021). "Romeo Okwara returning to Lions on three-year, $39M deal" . NFL.com . Retrieved March 15, 2021 .
^ "Lions re-sign LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin" . Detroit Lions . March 17, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021 .
^ "Lions re-sign LS Don Muhlbach" . DetroitLions.com . March 14, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020 .
^ Gordon, Grant (March 16, 2021). "Lions traded for Michael Brockers" . NFL.com . Retrieved March 16, 2021 .
^ Birkett, Dave (April 29, 2021). "Detroit Lions take Oregon OL Penei Sewell with No. 7 pick in 2021 NFL draft" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved April 29, 2021 .
^ Birkett, Dave (April 30, 2021). "Detroit Lions pick Levi Onwuzurike, DT from Washington, in Round 2 of 2021 NFL draft" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved April 30, 2021 .
^ Monarrez, Carlos; Alter, Marlowe (April 30, 2021). "Detroit Lions pick DT Alim McNeill from North Carolina State in Round 3 of 2021 NFL draft" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved April 30, 2021 .
^ Birkett, Dave (April 30, 2021). "Detroit Lions take Ifeatu Melifonwu, athletic Syrcause CB, in Round 3 of 2021 NFL draft" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved April 30, 2021 .
^ Birkett, Dave (May 1, 2021). "Detroit Lions take Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC WR, early in Round 4 of 2021 NFL draft" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved May 1, 2021 .
^ Monarrez, Carlos (May 1, 2021). "Detroit Lions trade up for Purdue LB Derrick Barnes, who has a special tattoo" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved May 1, 2021 .
^ Monarrez, Carlos (May 1, 2021). "Detroit Lions 7th-rounder Jermar Jefferson: I thought I'd be drafted in 3rd or 4th round" . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved May 1, 2021 .
^ Rothstein, Michael (October 27, 2020). "Dallas Cowboys trade DE Everson Griffen to Detroit Lions, sources say" . ESPN.com . Retrieved October 27, 2020 .
^ Meinke, Kyle (October 22, 2019). "Detroit Lions trade Quandre Diggs to Seahawks along with a seventh-round pick for fifth-round pick" . mlive.com .
^ Reisman, Jeremy (20 May 2021). "Detroit Lions finalize 2021 preseason schedule" . Pride of Detroit, a Detroit Lions community . SBNATION. Retrieved 20 May 2021 .
^ Detroit Lions 2021 schedule NFL.com
External links [ ]
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