The Detroit Lions are navigating significant decisions concerning their defensive line roster, particularly in light of injuries to key players Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal. Both athletes were sidelined for the entire 2025 season, resulting in their contracts being deferred. This development has a direct impact on the team's strategic planning for the upcoming season, especially in reinforcing their pass-rushing capabilities and interior defense.
General Manager Brad Holmes recently confirmed that Levi Onwuzurike is expected to rejoin the team. Onwuzurike, a second-round pick from 2021, has faced persistent injury challenges throughout his career. He missed the entire 2022 season due to back surgery and participated in only 10 games during 2023. However, in 2024, he proved to be a vital rotational asset on the defensive front, adept at playing both as a big end and a defensive tackle. His return offers some stability to the Lions' defensive line depth.
Conversely, Josh Paschal's future with the Lions is less definite. Paschal missed the 2025 season due to a back injury. Although he resumed practice for three weeks in the fall, he was never activated from the nonfootball injury list. This allowed the team the option to bring him back for the final year of his rookie contract. When questioned about Paschal's prospects, Holmes indicated that while a return is possible, further discussions are necessary to finalize his status.
The current roster highlights the pressing need for defensive line reinforcements. The Lions presently have only two edge rushers, Aidan Hutchinson and Ahmed Hassanein, under contract for the next season. Veteran players Al-Quadin Muhammad and Marcus Davenport are set to become unrestricted free agents in March, while Tyrus Wheat is a restricted free agent. In the defensive tackle position, Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, Mekhi Wingo, Tyler Lacy, and Chris Smith are secured for 2026, but DJ Reader and Roy Lopez's contracts are expiring. These gaps underscore the team's anticipated focus on acquiring new talent through free agency or the upcoming draft to bolster their defensive front.
The Lions' front office faces a critical period of evaluation and recruitment to ensure a robust and competitive defensive line. The statuses of Onwuzurike and Paschal are central to these considerations, as their potential contributions—or the need to replace them—will shape the team's defensive strategy moving forward.