Three reasons Lions fans should be concerned about 2023

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has received praise from the national media for his personnel decisions during the offseason. The Lions fan base has reasons to be confident the team will improve in 2023 and possibly even win a division title for the first time since 1993. However, there are reasons for pessimism, too. Here are three: 

No backup QB with experience 

If 2022 Pro Bowl QB Jared Goff suffers a serious injury and misses time, Detroit must turn to an unproven backup. No. 2 QB Nat Sudfeld has 37 passing attempts in seven years in the league. 

Two rookies make up the rest of the QB room. Third-round draft pick Hendon Hooker is still rehabbing from an ACL injury. According to head coach Dan Campbell, he will have little to no chance to play in 2023. The other QB is undrafted free agent Adrian Martinez, who is vying for a spot on the practice squad. 

Who will start at right guard?

The position was in flux the majority of 2022 due to injuries. Halapoulivaati Vaitai is returning to the team after missing last season with an injured back. He has not played a complete season in Detroit since joining the Lions in 2020. 

In the offseason, Detroit signed a former Lion, guard Graham Glasgow, to a one-year deal. He spent three years in Denver after starting his career in Detroit in 2016. The former third-round pick is coming off a shoulder injury that caused him to miss time over the past two seasons. 

Rookie Colby Sorsdal will switch from tackle to guard this season and faces a steep learning curve. Detroit may have to bring in another veteran to solidify the position.

The defense was historically bad in 2022

The defense played better down the stretch and was factor in Detroit winning eight of 10 games to close out the season. However, the Lions still finished last in total defense. Detroit has upgraded its secondary with some young and veteran talent, but many of the players from their 2022 front seven remain on the roster. 

The run defense ranked 29th in the NFL in 2022. On Christmas Eve, the Panthers set a franchise record by rushing for 320 yards against the Lions. The loss cost Detroit a postseason berth. If  the Lions don't  fix their issues against the run, they will have major problems.