2020 Detroit Lions season
The 2020 season is the Detroit Lions' 91st in the National Football League and their third under head coach Matt Patricia. They will look to improve on their 3–12–1 record from the previous season and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
2020 Detroit Lions season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Matt Patricia |
General manager | Bob Quinn |
Owner | Sheila Ford Hamp |
Home field | Ford Field |
Uniform | |
Offseason
Coaching changes
- On December 31, 2019, the Lions fired strength coach Harold Nash, special-teams coordinator John Bonamego, defensive backs coach Brian Stewart, linebackers coach Al Golden, tight ends coach Chris White and assistant strength coach Rodney Hill.[1]
- On January 2, 2020, defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni retired and offensive line coach Jeff Davidson took an "indefinite leave" from coaching.[2]
- On January 13, the Lions hired Cory Undlin as defensive coordinator.[3]
Additions
Departures
Date | Player | Position | Note | New Team | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 25 | Damon Harrison | Defensive tackle | Released | [16] | |
March 13 | Rick Wagner | Tackle | Released | Green Bay Packers | [17] |
March 16 | Graham Glasgow | Guard | UFA | Denver Broncos | [18] |
Jeff Driskel | Quarterback | UFA | Denver Broncos | [19] | |
March 17 | A. J. Howard | Safety | Released | [20] | |
Kyle Sloter | Quarterback | Released | |||
March 18 | Devon Kennard | Linebacker | Released | Arizona Cardinals | [21] |
March 19 | A'Shawn Robinson | Defensive Tackle | UFA | Los Angeles Rams | [22] |
March 24 | Sam Martin | Punter | UFA | Denver Broncos | [23] |
April 15 | Steve Longa | Linebacker | Released | [24] | |
April 15 | Paul Butler | Tight End | Released | ||
April 15 | Jonathan Durhart | Wide Receiver | Released | ||
April 27 | Tra Carson | Running Back | Released | [25] | |
April 27 | James Fisher | Long Snapper | Released | ||
April 27 | Casey Tucker | Guard | Released | ||
April 27 | Matt Wile | Punter | Released |
Re-signings
Date | Player | Position | Contract | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
February 22 | Danny Amendola | Wide Receiver | 1 year / $5 million | [26] |
March 14 | Don Muhlbach | Long Snapper | 1 year / $1.135 million | [27] |
March 21 | Miles Killebrew | Linebacker | 1 year / $2 million | [28] |
March 24 | Oday Aboushi | Guard | 1 year / $1.1875 million | [29] |
April 14 | Kenny Wiggins | Guard | 1 year / – | [30] |
April 21 | Mike Ford | Cornerback | [31] | |
April 21 | Dee Virgin | Cornerback |
Trades
- On March 18, the Lions acquired safety Duron Harmon and a seventh-round pick from the New England Patriots in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.[32]
- On March 19, the Lions traded cornerback Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.[33]
Draft
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State | [34] | |
2 | 35 | D'Andre Swift | RB | Georgia | [35] | |
3 | 67 | Julian Okwara | DE | Notre Dame | [36] | |
75 | Jonah Jackson | G | Ohio State | from Indianapolis | [37] | |
4 | 121 | Logan Stenberg | G | Kentucky | from Las Vegas | [38] |
5 | 166 | Quintez Cephus | WR | Wisconsin | [39] | |
172 | Jason Huntley | RB | New Mexico State | from Las Vegas | [40] | |
6 | 197 | John Penisini | DT | Utah | from Indianapolis | [41] |
7 | 235 | Jashon Cornell | DT | Ohio State | from New England | [42] |
Notes
- The Indianapolis Colts traded a third and sixth-round selection (75th and 197th) to Detroit in exchange for a third, fifth, and sixth-round selection (85th, 149th, 182nd).[37]
- The Lions traded their fourth-round selection (109th) to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a fourth and fifth-round selection (121st and 172nd).[43]
- On August 23, 2018, the Lions traded a conditional seventh-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for linebacker Eli Harold.[44]
- On October 22, 2019, the Lions traded safety Quandre Diggs and a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.[45]
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
On July 29, the Lions placed five players, including wide receiver Kenny Golladay and tight end T. J. Hockenson, on the COVID-19 reserve list.[46] The following day, two more players, including cornerback Justin Coleman, were placed on the list.[47] On August 1, the Lions placed quarterback Matthew Stafford on the list.[48] Three days later, however, Stafford's test was confirmed to be a false positive and he was removed from the list.[49]
Staff
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Current roster
Preseason cancellation
The Lions' preseason schedule was announced on May 7.[50] However, on July 27, in a letter to fans, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell officially announced the cancellation of the entire preseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[51]
Regular season
Schedule
The Lions' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7, and is subject to change, pending developments in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[50][51]
Week | Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | TV | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 13 | 1:00 p.m. | Chicago Bears | Ford Field | Fox | |||
2 | September 20 | 1:00 p.m. | at Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | Fox | |||
3 | September 27 | 4:25 p.m. | at Arizona Cardinals | State Farm Stadium | Fox | |||
4 | October 4 | 1:00 p.m. | New Orleans Saints | Ford Field | Fox | |||
5 | Bye | |||||||
6 | October 18 | 1:00 p.m. | at Jacksonville Jaguars | TIAA Bank Field | Fox | |||
7 | October 25 | 1:00 p.m. | at Atlanta Falcons | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Fox | |||
8 | November 1 | 1:00 p.m. | Indianapolis Colts | Ford Field | CBS | |||
9 | November 8 | 1:00 p.m. | at Minnesota Vikings | U.S. Bank Stadium | CBS | |||
10 | November 15 | 1:00 p.m. | Washington Football Team | Ford Field | Fox | |||
11 | November 22 | 1:00 p.m. | at Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium | Fox | |||
12 | November 26 | 12:30 p.m. | Houston Texans | Ford Field | CBS | |||
13 | December 6 | 1:00 p.m. | at Chicago Bears | Soldier Field | Fox | |||
14 | December 13 | 1:00 p.m. | Green Bay Packers | Ford Field | Fox | |||
15 | December 19 or 20 | TBD | at Tennessee Titans | Nissan Stadium | TBD | |||
16 | December 26 or 27 | TBD | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Ford Field | TBD | |||
17 | January 3 | 1:00 p.m. | Minnesota Vikings | Ford Field | Fox |
Notes
- Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
- Networks and times from Weeks 6–17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.
- As the result of Saturday flexible scheduling during Weeks 15 and 16, the date, kickoff, and network for those two games will be finalized at a later date—by no later than four weeks prior to each game day.[52]
References
- Birkett, Dave (December 31, 2019). "Detroit Lions fire strength coach, special-teams coordinator and 4 other assistant coaches". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
- Birkett, Dave (January 2, 2020). "Paul Pasqualoni out as Lions defensive coordinator, Jeff Davidson steps down as OL coach". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- "Lions hire Cory Undlin as defensive coordinator". Detroit Lions. January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
- Bergman, Jeremy (February 3, 2020). "Lions sign former first-round guard Joshua Garnett". NFL.com. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- Rogers, Justin (March 18, 2020). "Breaking down contract for new Lions offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai". The Detroit News. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Birkett, Dave (March 17, 2020). "Detroit Lions release LB Devon Kennard to make room for Jamie Collins". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Birkett, Dave (March 17, 2020). "Detroit Lions get more help for defense, agree to terms with DT Nicholas Williams". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Crawford, Kirkland (March 17, 2020). "New Detroit Lions QB Chase Daniel's biggest moment in NFL came at Ford Field". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- "Lions agree to 2-year deal with Danny Shelton, trade for Duron Harmon". ESPN.com. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Scott, Jelani (March 18, 2020). "Lions ink Desmond Trufant to two-year, $21M deal". NFL.com. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Birkett, Dave (March 19, 2020). "Detroit Lions land more help for secondary, add ex-Minnesota Vikings S Jayron Kearse". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- Rogers, Justin (March 20, 2020). "Lions aren't done yet, reach agreement with CB Tony McRae". The Detroit News. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Lions agree to terms with free agent LBs Elijah Lee & Reggie Ragland". Detroit Lions. March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- Maya, Adam (March 29, 2020). "Roundup: Lions, Geronimo Allison agree to 1-year deal". NFL.com. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- Patra, Kevin (April 2, 2020). "Roundup: Lions sign ex-Jets CB Darryl Roberts". NFL.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- Twentyman, Tim (February 25, 2020). "Lions release defensive tackle Damon Harrison Sr". Detroit Lions. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- Birkett, Dave (March 16, 2020). "Rick Wagner, just cut by Detroit Lions, signs with Green Bay Packers". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- Birkett, Dave (March 16, 2020). "Graham Glasgow bolts for four-year, $44 million deal with Denver Broncos". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 17, 2020). "Media reports: Broncos agree to terms with QB Jeff Driskel". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- "Lions Release S AJ Howard And QB Kyle Sloter". 971theticket.com. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
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- Klein, Gary (March 18, 2020). "Rams agree to terms with defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Raven, Benjamin (March 24, 2020). "Report: Lions officially in market for new punter after Sam Martin signs with Denver Broncos". MLive. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Schlitt, Erik (April 15, 2020). "Lions release LB Steve Longa, WR Jon Duhart, and TE Paul Butler". USA Today. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Rogers, Justin (April 27, 2020). "With influx of rookies coming in, Detroit Lions release four players". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Maya, Adam (February 22, 2020). "Lions re-sign WR Danny Amendola for 1-year deal". NFL.com. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- "Lions re-sign LS Don Muhlbach". Detroit Lions. March 14, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Lions agree to terms with safety Miles Killebrew". Detroit Lions. March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Lions agree to terms with OL Oday Aboushi". Detroit Lions. March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- "Lions agree to terms with OL Kenny Wiggins". Detroit Lions. April 14, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- "Lions re-sign exclusive rights free agents CB Mike Ford and CB Dee Virgin". Detroit Lions. April 21, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- "Lions acquire S Duron Harmon via trade with New England Patriots". Detroit Lions. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Patra, Kevin (March 19, 2020). "Eagles trading for Darius Slay; CB gets extension". NFL.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- Twentyman, Tim (April 23, 2020). "Lions draft cornerback Jeff Okudah". Detroit Lions. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- Twentyman, Tim (April 24, 2020). "Lions draft running back D'Andre Swift". Detroit Lions. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- Raven, Benjamin (April 24, 2020). "2020 NFL draft: Detroit Lions select Notre Dame EDGE Julian Okwara with first of 2 third-round picks". MLive. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Meinke, Kyle (April 24, 2020). "2020 NFL draft: Detroit Lions trade up for Ohio State G Jonah Jackson in third round". MLive. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Rogers, Justin (April 25, 2020). "Lions' fourth-round pick Logan Stenberg cites 'nastiness' as one of his best traits". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Twentyman, Tim (April 25, 2020). "Lions draft wide receiver Quintez Cephus". Detroit Lions. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Twentyman, Tim (April 25, 2020). "Lions draft running back Jason Huntley". Detroit Lions. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Twentyman, Tim (April 25, 2020). "Lions draft defensive tackle John Penisini". Detroit Lions. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Maakaron, John (April 25, 2020). "DT Jashon Cornell is Latest Pick for Detroit Lions in Seventh Round". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- "Raiders trade picks with Detroit Lions on Day 3 of 2020 NFL Draft". Raiders.com. April 25, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Sessler, Marc (August 23, 2018). "trade! Lions acquire LB Eli Harold from 49ers". NFL.com.
- "Lions trade S Quandre Diggs to Seattle Seahawks". Detroit Lions. October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- Rogers, Justin (July 29, 2020). "Kenny Golladay, T.J. Hockenson among Lions placed on COVID reserve list". The Detroit News. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- Rothstein, Michael (July 30, 2020). "Justin Coleman, Isaac Nauta latest Lions added to reserve/COVID-19 list". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- Birkett, Dave (August 1, 2020). "Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford placed on COVID-19 list". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- Rogers, Justin (August 4, 2020). "Lions: Matthew Stafford had false-positive test for COVID-19, is not infected". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- "2020 Detroit Lions Schedule: Complete schedule and matchup information for 2020 NFL Season". Detroit Lions. May 7, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- Shook, Nick (July 27, 2020). "Roger Goodell writes letter to NFL fans as training camps start across U.S." NFL.com. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- "2020 NFL Schedule Announced" (PDF). NFL Communications. May 7, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020.