The NFL calendar flips to 2025 next week, which will bring answers to questions around the league. From Costa & Jansen, here are five major storylines facing the Lions.
1. Do you extend Aidan Hutchinson this offseason, or wait to see his recovery?
Jansen: "From the Lions’ perspective, you want to get him under contract long-term as quickly as possible. The cost is only going to go up. On Aidan Hutchinson's side, do you want to sign a contract right now? He was the leader in the clubhouse, when he got hurt, to be Defensive Player of the Year. If he is able to return and play at that level or better, it adds big numbers to that contract. Instead of $30 million a year, isn it 35? 36? What do they do in terms of the guaranteed money?
"The question isn’t, do the Lions need to do this? It’s, does Aidan Hutchinson do this? Take the guaranteed money and the big contract or does he bet on himself and say, 'I think there’s more there.'"
Costa: "I think coming off an injury, you want financial security. I think both parties want to get a big deal done for Aidan Hutchinson. He’s a culture guy, a work ethic guy, he hardly ever leaves the field, he plays damn near every snap. He’s going to get paid. He’ll be one of, if not the highest-paid pass rusher this offseason. Get it done."
2. Is there any world where the Lions also extend Jameson Williams?
Costa: "There was a point in the middle of the season where I was even unsure about the fifth-year option. That’s out the window. He played well, 1,000-yard season, explosive. I’m cool with Jamo getting the fifth year. In terms of a long-term extension, they got bigger fish to fry. I wouldn’t be rushing to extend him."
Jansen: "I wouldn’t be rushing to extend him either. They could do what Cincinnati did with Tee Higgins: you can use the franchise tag on him. Pick up that fifth-year option, it’s going to be around $15 million, and then you have options."
3. Should the Lions re-sign Kevin Zeitler? And if so, does that mean Graham Glasgow becomes a backup to Christian Mahogany?
Jansen: "Yes and yes. I do think that they should bring him back, and they should let Mahogany and Glasgow duke it out as to who’s going to be the other starter. Mahogany is going to have to prove it, but you have the reliability of two veterans if Mahogany has a sophomore slump to start the season or doesn’t do something right this offseason. I would love to see Zeitler back."
Costa: "This is a great problem to have, if you have Mahogany step into that starter’s role and bring back Zeitler. Yes and yes, right there with you."
4. Do the Lions trust Hendon Hooker as QB 2? If not, who would you sign: Trey Lance, Zach Wilson or Kyle Trask?
Costa: "The Lions don’t agree that Hooker is the No. 2, as evidenced by the playoff game. So I’ll just take their lead on this and say, yeah, you need to add a vet in the room. You’re going to make me pinch my nose from that group? Lance probably has the highest upside. I don’t love it, but at least it’s a body, competition and someone who could develop."
Jansen: "Lance may have the highest upside, kind of like Hooker. Zach Wilson does intrigue me a little bit because if you get what we think we’re getting with (offensive coordinator) John Morton in developing a quarterback, and the relationship we believe he’ll have with Goff, can he, along with Mark Brunell, get enough out of Zach Wilson? Zach Wilson is not a lost cause. I do think you could fit him to this offense better than either of those other guys."
5. Will these defensive players be on the Lions’ roster in 2025:
Carlton Davis III? Jansen: Yes. Costa: Yes.
Derrick Barnes? Jansen: No. Costa: Yes.
Levi Onwuzurike? Jansen: No. Costa: No, although Brad loves him.
Ifeatu Melifonwu? Jansen: No. Costa: No.
Marcus Davenport? Jansen: No. The issue with Iffy and Davenport is that neither of those guys can stay healthy. Costa: No, because they better upgrade that spot.