Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions are heading into the 2026 NFL season after a frustrating 2025 campaign that ended with the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The Lions struggled following the departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who left to become head coach of the Chicago Bears, and ESPN now believes Detroit still has one major roster weakness to address.

According to ESPN’s breakdown of each NFL team’s biggest concern, the Lions’ right guard position remains a significant issue. The report points to second-year lineman Tate Ratledge as a potential problem area after an underwhelming rookie season. Ratledge posted a pass block win rate of 87.4%, ranking 63rd out of 65 qualifying guards, while his 69.9% run block win rate also fell below league average.

While Detroit has invested heavily in its offensive line, including drafting former Clemson tackle Blake Miller in the first round and reshuffling the unit with Penei Sewell expected to shift to left tackle, concerns remain on the interior. Pairing a developing rookie on the right side with an inconsistent guard could leave Goff vulnerable under pressure.

Despite the offensive coaching change and line questions, Goff still delivered a strong individual season in 2025, throwing for 4,564 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions while completing 68% of his passes. The Lions also finished among the NFL’s top five in both total offense and points per game, but ESPN suggests fixing the right guard spot will be crucial if Detroit wants to return to contender status in 2026.