The Detroit Lions are entering the 2026 season with one clear objective on defense.
Get better.
After a frustrating 2025 campaign that saw the Lions finish 9-8 despite boasting a positive point differential and one of the league’s better offenses, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard knows improvement on his side of the ball could be the key to returning Detroit to contender status.
The good news for Lions fans is that Sheppard isn’t standing still.
During a recent appearance on Fox 2 Detroit’s Sports Office, the second-year defensive coordinator revealed he spent part of the offseason studying some of the NFL’s best defenses in search of ideas that could help Detroit take the next step.
Kelvin Sheppard Looked at the NFL’s Elite Defenses
One of the most interesting revelations from Sheppard’s interview was his willingness to learn from other successful organizations.
While some coaches insist on focusing solely on their own systems, Sheppard made it clear that studying the best is a critical part of his process.
“That’s a part of my self scout, when I’m looking at myself and then just in general,” Sheppard said as quoted by Pride of Detroit. “You always want to know. Say what you want, you don’t want to know about other people. B.S! You want to know what people at the highest level within your career is doing. So I stepped back and I pulled the (tape of the) top five defenses.”
That approach reflects a coach who understands that growth often comes from adaptation.
Rather than assuming Detroit already has all the answers, Sheppard actively searched for ways to improve the Lions’ defensive blueprint.
Seahawks, Texans, and Jaguars Caught His Attention
According to Sheppard, three teams stood out during his offseason film study.
The Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars all became subjects of closer examination after ranking among the NFL’s best defenses in points allowed last season.
But Sheppard emphasized that studying successful defenses doesn’t mean copying them.
The Lions must remain true to their own personnel, strengths, and overall team philosophy.
“Understand who you are and who they are,” Sheppard said. “We can’t go play a certain style that some of these teams play, whether that be personnel, complementary football and what we’re trying to do here knowing the offense that we have, so on and so forth.”
That perspective is important.
Every NFL defense is built differently, and what works for one roster doesn’t always translate to another.
Lions Defense Will Feature New Ideas in 2026
While Sheppard wasn’t willing to reveal exactly what changes Detroit plans to implement, he did admit that elements from those successful defenses have already found their way into the Lions’ plans.
“If it’s something that’s applicable to us is there, we apply it. And I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t kinda pick and prod. And some things that felt right within what we do as our core principles, we applied it, and I think it’s going to make us better.”
That comment may be one of the most encouraging takeaways from the entire interview.
The Lions are not throwing away their defensive identity.
Instead, they are refining it.
By incorporating concepts from some of the league’s top-performing units while staying true to their foundational principles, Detroit hopes to create a more complete and consistent defense in 2026.
Roger McCreary Could Have an Expanded Role
Sheppard may have also provided an interesting clue about how the defense could evolve this season.
While discussing Detroit’s nickel package, he hinted that the Lions may increase the amount of time they spend in those looks.
“The nickel position, a critical position within the defense, wanting to expand upon how much volume we use the nickel. Who is that going to be? It was Amik Robertson the last two years. So who is that going to be? It’s a lot of guys that are in flux, but a guy that’s kinda popped to me early Roger McCreary has come in and done a great job.”
That statement could be significant.
Roger McCreary was one of Brad Holmes’ key additions this offseason, and early signs suggest he may quickly carve out an important role in Sheppard’s defense.
With Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and McCreary all expected to contribute heavily, Detroit’s secondary could become one of the team’s biggest strengths.
Why This Matters for the Detroit Lions Defense
The Lions do not need a complete defensive overhaul.
What they need is improvement.
The offense remains loaded with talent and now enters its first full season under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. If Sheppard can elevate the defense from average to one of the league’s better units, Detroit has the roster necessary to compete for an NFC North title and much more.
The fact that Sheppard spent the offseason studying the NFL’s best defenses rather than assuming Detroit already had all the answers should be encouraging for fans.
The Lions’ defensive coordinator is looking for every possible edge.
And he believes those adjustments will make Detroit better.
