Preseason is almost here, and with it comes excitement for the upcoming season. Which side of the ball are you most excited to see in action this preseason?
With each passing day, the 2024 NFL preseason grows ever closer, and with it will come our first look at the new Detroit Lions .
Preseason football is rarely heart-pounding like the regular season or postseason, but it nonetheless captures the attention of many. By this point, we have seen players in uniforms and shells in practice, but preseason marks the first real live action of the season, not drills or scrimmages. After months of free agency and draft hype, we finally get the opportunity to witness the pieces put in place.
There is slated to be excitement all around regarding the Lions this year, but which side of the ball has garnered your attention?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Are you more excited to see the offense or defense in preseason?
My answer: The defense.
The Lions offense is shaping up to be an elite unit, but the personnel has changed little from 2023 to 2024 and for good reason. As a result, we mostly know what to expect from the offense going forward, albeit with tweaked roles for players like Jameson Williams or Graham Glasgow. The offense will not be operating at full speed in preseason due to rested starters and a dialed back playbook.
The defense, meanwhile, is an enticing mystery. Again, we will not see the true Week 1 starting lineup and scheme throughout preseason, but it will give us a glimpse at how certain position battles are going and how different players will be utilized. After a busy offseason with plenty of changes, I am eager to see how the Lions shape up against a live opponent.
The defensive line has perhaps the greatest uncertainty of the defensive positional groups. Players like Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill are firmly entrenched, but how will the new arrivals like DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport fare in their Lions debuts? With multiple players competing for limited spots along the defensive line, who will emerge with a roster spot? Will we see recent draft picks like James Houston or Levi Onwuzurike miss the cut? How about a veteran like John Cominsky?
The secondary is just as intriguing. The cornerbacks group has been completely overhauled this offseason, so it is only natural to be curious about how it will look on the field. Will one of the talented rookies shine in preseason action, perhaps hinting at a larger role down the road? Will veterans like Carlton Davis or Amik Robertson stake their claim on a starting position? Most of all, how will the Lions utilize all of their defensive backs? They have multiple players with the ability to play inside and outside, so we could see a significant shuffle throughout the preseason. This does not even include Brian Branch, who is being billed as a multifaceted weapon on defense.
The Lions offense is elite, but if they want to make another deep playoff run, they will need the defense to play its part. Preseason will be our first true glimpse at the puzzle—do the Lions have the pieces they need?
Your turn.