2021 Detroit Lions season

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2021 Detroit Lions season
OwnerSheila Ford Hamp
Head coachDan Campbell
General managerBrad Holmes
Home fieldFord Field
Results
Record0–1
Division placetie 1st NFC North
Uniform
Detroit lions unif17.png

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[]

Date Player Position Previous team Contract Source
March 3 Tyrell Williams Wide receiver Las Vegas Raiders 1 year / $4.7 million [14]
March 13 Josh Hill Tight End New Orleans Saints 1 year / $1.2 million [15]
March 16 Jamaal Williams Running Back Green Bay Packers 2 years / $7.5 million [16]
March 17 Tim Boyle Quarterback Green Bay Packers 1 year / $2.5 million [17]
March 22 Breshad Perriman Wide Receiver New York Jets 1 year / $3.0 million [18]
Randy Bullock Placekicker Cincinnati Bengals 1 year / $1.5 million [19]
March 23 Kalif Raymond Wide Receiver Tennessee Titans 1 year / $1.0 million [20]
March 24 Damion Ratley Wide Receiver Houston Texans 1 year / $0.9 million [21]
Alex Anzalone Linebacker New Orleans Saints 1 year / $1.8 million
April 1 Corn Elder Cornerback Carolina Panthers 1 year / $0.9 million [22]
April 6 Quinton Dunbar Cornerback Seattle Seahawks 1 year / $1.0 million [23]
April 8 Dean Marlowe Strong Safety Buffalo Bills 1 year / $1.0 million [24]
April 30 Darren Fells Tight End Houston Texans 1 year [citation needed]
May 12 Alex Brown Cornerback Kansas City Chiefs 1 year
Alijah Holder Safety Denver Broncos 1 year
Charlie Taumoepeau Tight End San Francisco 49ers 1 year
May 19 Darrin Paulo Offensive Tackle Denver Broncos [25]
May 27 Brian Price Defensive Tackle Green Bay Packers 1 year [citation needed]

Departures[]

Date Player Position New Team Source
March 8 Christian Jones Linebacker Chicago Bears [26]
Russell Bodine Center
March 12 Jesse James Tight end Chicago Bears [27]
Justin Coleman Cornerback Miami Dolphins [28]
March 15 Joe Dahl Guard [29]
Jamal Agnew Wide receiver Jacksonville Jaguars
Jarrad Davis Linebacker New York Jets
March 16 Danny Shelton Defensive tackle New York Giants [30]
Chase Daniel Quarterback Los Angeles Chargers
March 17 Marvin Jones Wide receiver Jacksonville Jaguars [31]
Matt Prater Placekicker Arizona Cardinals [32]
Desmond Trufant Cornerback Chicago Bears [33]
March 20 Kenny Golladay Wide receiver New York Giants [34]
March 24 Miles Killebrew Linebacker Pittsburgh Steelers [35]
March 27 Mohamed Sanu Wide Receiver San Francisco 49ers [36]
April 23 Hunter Bryant Tight End [citation needed]
May 1 Kerryon Johnson Running Back
June 2 John Atkins Defensive Tackle Atlanta Falcons

Re-signings[]

Date Player Position Contract Source
March 8 Mike Ford Cornerback 1 year / $1.2 million [26]
March 15 Romeo Okwara Defensive end 3 years / $39 million [37]
March 17 Jalen Reeves-Maybin Outside linebacker 1 year / $2.37 million [38]
March 19 Don Muhlbach Long snapper [39]

Trades[]

Retirements[]

Position Player Date retired
TE Josh Hill May 5, 2021

Draft[]

Main article: 2021 NFL Draft
2021 Detroit Lions Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes Source
1 7 Penei Sewell OT Oregon [41]
2 41 Levi Onwuzurike DT Washington [42]
3 72 Alim McNeill DT NC State [43]
101 Ifeatu Melifonwu CB Syracuse from Los Angeles Rams [44]
4 112 Amon-Ra St. Brown WR USC [45]
113 Derrick Barnes LB Purdue from Cleveland Browns [46]
7 257 Jermar Jefferson RB Oregon State from Cleveland Browns [47]

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[]

Detroit Lions staff
  • v
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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

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Current roster[]

Detroit Lions roster
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Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Practice squad


Rookies in italics

Roster updated September 16, 2021

53 active, 10 inactive, 16 practice squad

→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters

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 August 13 Buffalo Bills L 15–16 0–1 Ford Field Recap
2 August 21 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–26 0–2 Heinz Field Recap
3 August 27 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 September 20 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 34Total
49ers 7 24 7341
Lions 0 10 71633

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: September 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 59,374
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

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 34Total
Lions 0 0 000
Packers 0 0 000

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: September 20
  • 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
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 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[]

NFC
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# 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]
  1. ^ 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[]

  1. ^ "Dan Campbell as the new Head Coach". detroitlions.com. January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Shook, Nick (January 19, 2021). "Aaron Glenn set to leave Saints to join Lions as defensive coordinator". NFL .com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  5. ^ Gordon, Grant (January 20, 2021). "Dan Campbell hired as new Lions coach". NFL.com. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  6. ^ Scott, Jelani (January 23, 2021). "Lions to hire former Chargers HC Anthony Lynn as offensive coordinator". NFL.com. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "Detroit Lions hiring Flint native Aubrey Pleasant as DBs coach: Report". Detroit Free Press. January 25, 2021.
  8. ^ Detroit Lions' early offseason additions point to big 2021 for D'Andre Swift Detroit Free Press, January 25, 2021
  9. ^ Detroit Lions officially hire Dave Fipp as special teams coordinator MLive.com, January 26, 2021
  10. ^ Report: Detroit Lions expected to hire Mark Brunell as QB coach MLive.com, January 28, 2021
  11. ^ Detroit Lions add veteran coach Dom Capers to staff as senior defensive assistant MLive.com, January 29, 2021
  12. ^ Detroit Lions hire ex-Jaguars DC Todd Wash as DL coach, 3 other assistants Detroit Free Press, February 3, 2021
  13. ^ Detroit Lions to reportedly hire Antwaan Randle El as wide receivers coach MLive.com, February 9, 2021
  14. ^ Smith, Michael David (March 3, 2021). "Lions sign Tyrell Williams". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "Lions sign Josh Hill". Detroit Lions. March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  16. ^ Gordon, Grant (March 16, 2021). "Former Packers RB Jamaal Williams signing with Lions". NFL.com. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Lions sign free agents QB Tim Boyle, K Randy Bullock & WR Breshad Perriman". DetroitLions.com. March 22, 2021.
  19. ^ "Former Bengals Kicker Randy Bullock Has a New Team". si.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  20. ^ Lions Sign Former Titans WR Kalif Raymond Fan Nation (Sports Illustrated), March 23, 2021
  21. ^ "Lions sign LB Alex Anzalone and WR Damion Ratley". www.detroitlions.com. March 24, 2021.
  22. ^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent CB Corn Elder". detroitlions.com. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent CB Quinton Dunbar". detroitlions.com. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  24. ^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent S Dean Marlowe". detroitlions.com. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  25. ^ "Detroit Lions sign offensive tackle Darrin Paulo". prideofdetroit.com. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b "Lions announce roster moves". Detroit Lions. March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  27. ^ Birkett, Dave (March 11, 2021). "Detroit Lions to release TE Jesse James as roster overhaul continues". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  28. ^ Birkett, Dave (March 11, 2021). "Detroit Lions plan to release CB Justin Coleman as defensive makeover continues". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  29. ^ Rogers, Justin (March 15, 2021). "Lions lose Jarrad Davis, Jamal Agnew; cut Joe Dahl". The Detroit News. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  30. ^ Rogers, Justin (March 17, 2021). "Reports: Lions continue roster purge, cutting Danny Shelton, Chase Daniel". The Detroit News. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  31. ^ Oehser, John (March 17, 2021). "Official: Marvin Jones agrees to terms". Jacksonville Jaguars. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  32. ^ Urban, Darren (March 17, 2021). "Cardinals Bring In Kicker Matt Prater On 2-Year Contract". Arizona Cardinals. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  33. ^ Smith, Michael David (March 19, 2021). "Bears sign Desmond Trufant". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ Varley, Teresa (March 24, 2021). "Steelers sign Haeg, Killebrew and Marsh". Steelers.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  36. ^ "49ers Sign WR Mohamed Sanu". 49ers.com. March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  37. ^ Patra, Kevin (March 15, 2021). "Romeo Okwara returning to Lions on three-year, $39M deal". NFL.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  38. ^ "Lions re-sign LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin". Detroit Lions. March 17, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  39. ^ "Lions re-sign LS Don Muhlbach". DetroitLions.com. March 14, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  40. ^ Gordon, Grant (March 16, 2021). "Lions traded for Michael Brockers". NFL.com. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  41. ^ 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.
  42. ^ 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.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ 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.
  45. ^ 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.
  46. ^ 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.
  47. ^ 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.
  48. ^ Rothstein, Michael (October 27, 2020). "Dallas Cowboys trade DE Everson Griffen to Detroit Lions, sources say". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  49. ^ Meinke, Kyle (October 22, 2019). "Detroit Lions trade Quandre Diggs to Seahawks along with a seventh-round pick for fifth-round pick". mlive.com.
  50. ^ Reisman, Jeremy (20 May 2021). "Detroit Lions finalize 2021 preseason schedule". Pride of Detroit, a Detroit Lions community. SBNATION. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  51. ^ Detroit Lions 2021 schedule NFL.com

External links[]

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