Last week, two men with potential ties to Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold were arrested in Tampa on charges including armed robbery and kidnapping. Earlier this week, a judge mentioned Arnold several times in a court order detaining another man who allegedly orchestrated an effort to recover property that had been stolen from an Airbnb that Arnold had rented.
Earlier today, Arnold’s lawyer issued a statement insisting that Arnold had “no involvement whatsoever” in the alleged crimes.
In a seven-page decision issued on Tuesday, Hillsborough County Circuit Judge J. Logan Murphy concluded that Boakai Hilton was the alleged mastermind of the plan to lure the suspected thieves into an apartment where they were allegedly held and beaten.
As explained by Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News, Arnold filed a police report on February 3, following two robberies in which thieves allegedly stole high-end bags, guns, jewelry, a cellphone, and $100,000 in cash.
In his order, Murphy wrote that the armed robbery and kidnapping resulted directly from “Arnold and his friends” deciding to “take matters into their own hands.”
“While traveling in a car with Arnold back from Tallahassee, Hilton orchestrates the ambush,” Murphy explained.
Arnold has not been charged or arrested. Still, Murphy’s order clearly connected Arnold to the incident. In it, Murphy wrote that Arnold hired a man named Yan Lopez to serve as Arnold’s private driver. The robberies happened while Lopez was working for Arnold and his friends.
From the order: “Arnold began to suspect that Lopez may have had a hand in the burglaries. And though they had reported the theft to . . . authorities, Arnold and his friends decided to take matters into their own hands.”
The order also contended, based on text messages, that a woman named Arianna Del Valle (Arnold’s girlfriend, per Murphy’s order) instructed Jasmine Randazzo to lure the suspected thieves to her apartment, to (per Murphy’s order) “act as bait . . . with promises that Arnold and his friends would pay Randazzo for doing so.”
Once the suspected thieves were inside, they were allegedly pistol-whipped and held at gunpoint.
From the order: “There, one of the defendants stuck the barrel of his firearm into Lopez’s mouth, demanding he return the stolen property and Arnold’s phone. Before the victims left, the co-defendants took their phones and wallets. This was all done ostensibly to get Lopez [and two others] to admit that they stole the property from the AirBNB, which they never do. . . . Text messages between Del Valle and Randazzo show that Del Valle has been instructed to hold the victims in the bedroom until '[T]errion [a]nd Boakai [Hilton] and Fredo [another friend]’ arrive at the apartment complex.”
Here’s the full statement issued by Arnold’s lawyer, R. Timothy Jansen:
“I represent Mr. Terrion Arnold in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, which resulted in the arrest of five individuals on serious felony charges.
“To be clear, Mr. Arnold had no involvement whatsoever in the activities that led to those arrests. He did not participate in, nor was he present for, any conduct related to the alleged offenses. There is no evidence in police reports, text messages, or witness statements that implicates Mr. Arnold in any way.
“In fact, after direct communication with the lead prosecutor, it has been confirmed that no charges have been filed against Mr. Arnold in connection with this matter.
“Recent media coverage has referenced an Order issued by Circuit Judge J. Logan Murphy, which improperly suggests Mr. Arnold’s involvement in the incident. That same Order also incorrectly identifies Ms. Devalle as Mr. Arnold’s girlfriend. Both assertions are false, misleading, and entirely unsupported by the record.
“Mr. Arnold categorically denies these unfounded claims and maintains his complete innocence. He was not involved in the crimes allegedly committed on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.
“We strongly urge members of the media to refrain from perpetuating inaccurate or speculative narratives. The facts are clear, and they do not support any claim of wrongdoing by Mr. Arnold.”
Obviously, Jansen is advocating for Arnold. Murphy’s order nevertheless says what it says. Arnold is connected to the situation, even if there’s no evidence that he was directly involved in the effort to recover the stolen property via allegedly illegal means.
If, as Bianchi reports, Arnold filed the police report regarding the thefts, Arnold had a clear interest in getting his things back. Common sense suggests that Hilton and others allegedly acted without Arnold knowing about it, or that they allegedly acted with Arnold aware of what was happening. Put simply, Arnold either knew what was happening or he didn’t.
Again, Arnold has not been accused of any wrongdoing. But the case has expanded from two defendants last week to five. It’s possible that the authorities will attempt to squeeze the current defendants into implicating Arnold, despite his lawyer’s insistence that Arnold had no involvement whatsoever in the situation.
Lions Clips
Teams making decisions about picking up the fifth-year options on the contracts of their 2023 first-round picks now know how much that will cost.
The NFL revealed the values on Friday afternoon. There are four levels of compensation at each position. Players who have made multiple Pro Bowls as an original selection are at the top followed by players with one Pro Bowl selection and players who have hit playing time milestones before reaching the lowest level.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud were the first two picks of that draft and both of them reached the playing time level of compensation. That will leave them with fully guaranteed salaries of $25.904 million if the teams decide to exercise the options, but longer-term extensions are also a possibility now that they have finished their third seasons.
The full list of 2023 first-rounders — there were 31 that year because the Dolphins were stripped of their pick — and their fifth-year option salaries appears below:
1. Panthers QB Bryce Young — $25.904 million (playing time).
2. Texans QB C.J. Stroud — $25.904 million (playing time).
3. Texans DE Will Anderson — $21.512 (Pro Bowl).
4. Colts QB Anthony Richardson — $22.483 million (base).
5. Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon — $21.161 million (multiple Pro Bowls).
6. Cardinals OT Paris Johnson — $19.072 million (playing time).
7. Raiders DE Tyree Wilson — $14.475 million (base).
8. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson — $11.323 million (Pro Bowl).
9. Eagles DT Jalen Carter — $27.127 million (multiple Pro Bowls).
10. Bears OT Darnell Wright — $19.072 million (playing time).
11. Titans OG Peter Skoronski — $19.072 million (playing time).
12. Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs — $14.293 million (multiple Pro Bowls).
13. Packers DE Lukas Van Ness — $14.475 million (base).
14. Steelers OT Broderick Jones — $19.072 million (playing time).
15. Jets DE Will McDonald — $14.475 million (base).
16. Rams CB Emmanuel Forbes — $12.633 million (base).
17. Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez — $18.119 million (Pro Bowl).
18. Lions LB Jack Campbell — $21.925 million (Pro Bowl).
19. Buccaneers DT Calijah Kancey — $15.451 (playing time).
20. Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba — $23.852 million (Pro Bowl).
21. Chargers WR Quentin Johnston — $18 million (playing time).
22. Ravens WR Zay Flowers — $27.298 million (multiple Pro Bowls).
23. Vikings WR Jordan Addison — $18 million (playing time).
24. Giants CB Deonte Banks — $12.633 million (base).
25. Bills TE Dalton Kincaid — $8.162 million (base).
26. Jets DT Mazi Smith — $13.391 million (base) Smith was traded to the Jets by the Cowboys.
27. Jaguars OT Anton Harrison — $19.072 million (playing time).
28. Bengals DE Myles Murphy — $14.475 million (base).
29. Saints DT Bryan Bresee — $13.391 million (base).
30. Eagles LB Nolan Smith — $13.752 million (base).
31. Chiefs Felix Anudike-Uzomah — $14.475 million (base).
Lions left tackle Taylor Decker posted his intention to play his 11th season with the club on Tuesday via social media.
But based on head coach Dan Campbell’s comments earlier in the day, Detroit still has some work to do to build depth at left tackle.
Decker said at the end of the 2025 season that he intended to take some time to figure out whether or not he would retire. Decker has been dealing with multiple injuries over the last few years, but has played through them for the most part. But over the last three regular seasons, he’s started 15, 14, and 14 contests.
That’s part of why Campbell said during his Tuesday press conference — before Decker’s announcement — that Detroit needs another option at left tackle.
“Look, if it’s not [Decker returning], then we’ve got to find a guy,” Campbell said. “But if it is, we’re still going to find a guy. Because as much as I love ‘Deck,’ he’s got some things that are going to need some management. That’s kind of where we’re at. One way or another, we’re going to need somebody that can play over there and that can help us if we need them in a crunch or we need them as a starter. That’s important.”
Generally, it sounded like Campbell wants to be better up front after Detroit finished 9-8 and missed the postseason in 2025.
“We’ve talked about the interior of the offensive line, too,” Campbell said. “That’s important. We’ve been digging, we’ve been looking at stuff. But until we can kind of figure a little bit of those pieces out, and then exactly who is going to be available, who are we going to have the ability to potentially go after, how does that affect another position or the depth of the roster — we’re waiting it out here a little bit.”
With Decker back in the fold, we’ll see how the Lions continue to address their offensive line with the draft and free agency to create more depth.
The NFL announced on Tuesday that the Lions will play a game in Munich during the 2026 season and it sounds like veteran left tackle Taylor Decker plans on joining the team in Germany.
Decker said at the end of the 2025 season that he needed to take some time to assess whether he would return for an 11th season and an Instagram post on Tuesday afternoon suggests that he’s made up his mind. Decker posted a picture of himself running onto the field before a game with a biblical quote as the caption and he added "#Year11" at the end of the passage.
Decker appeared in 14 games during the 2025 season while playing through shoulder issues. He has started all 145 games he’s played since the Lions selected him in the first round in 2016.
The Lions have all of their starting offensive linemen under contract for 2026, but center Graham Glasgow’s future with the team is in some doubt. Glasgow could opt to retire and the Lions could release him in a cap move if he does decide to continue playing.
When he was interviewing offensive coordinator candidates, Dan Campbell didn’t take long to decide Drew Petzing was the right man for the Lions.
“He was the right fit,” Campbell said on Tuesday at the scouting combine. “I felt that within 20 minutes.”
Why?
“It was just the way that he talked, the way that he saw the game,” Campbell said. “Man, his confidence, his conviction, his knowledge, his detail in everything — why he was doing what he was doing, how he was thinking, how he was teaching it. [I] threw curveballs at him, and he was all over it. It was good, man.
“I just loved his presence and I love the way that he taught and I love the detail behind it. And then, I’ve seen the tape. I know what the tape is. And I just think he’s a creative guy and can make things happen. [His attitude is,] ‘Tell me what I’ve got and I’ll figure this out.’ I love that.”
Campbell added that he had been a fan of Petzing’s from afar, noticing what Petzing ran as Cardinals offensive coordinator.
“There was creativity to it. Certainly, they’ve used a lot of heavy sets lately, but that’s where their roster has gone. That’s not something that I foresee us being,” Campbell said. “We’re just going to be versatile. But he gives us that ability to make the most of what we have.
“And I just think he understands the protections, understands the run game, understands the pass game certainly, quarterback play. So, I think he’s got it all.”
Plus, Campbell was able to land Mike Kafka as the club’s passing game coordinator, bringing in more new energy and ideas to the offense.
“[O]ne of the guys I was really high on through that whole process was Mike Kafka, too. So, real fortunate to get him for our pass game coordinator,” Campbell said. “But, [he’s] a guy who’s been an interim head coach, has coached quarterbacks, has coached some good quarterbacks, run an offense. So he’s got a good perspective on things, got some pretty good ideas.”
Campbell sees it as a significant positive that the offensive staff now has a group with complementary skillsets.
“All of those guys, you’re always looking for something that’s maybe a little bit unique, or rare, or that somebody has that the other guy doesn’t — because now you can help each other out when you can lift each other up,” Campbell said. “And I do feel like we have that. It was important to keep this staff intact.
“What we did last year, what I did last year, it didn’t work. It wasn’t the perfect setup. I thought we would be able to work through those [issues] a little bit better than we did. It didn’t work out, all good. But I love this staff that is here intact. I know they’ll be able to work with Drew. Drew will be able to get those guys the directive and they’ll respond. That’s what they do. Those guys are doers. They go to work. So I’m fired up about it.”
For a couple of years, the Lions were able to balance playing both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs at running back, with each player accounting for at least 1,100 yards from scrimmage and at least 11 total touchdowns.
But things were a little different in 2025, with Montgomery’s role noticeably reduced as Gibbs continues to ascend.
In January, Detroit General Manager Bud Holmes said that trading Montgomery to a team that could utilize him more was an option for the offseason.
But Montgomery still has two years left on his contract with the Lions and both Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell expressed a desire to keep the running back during their respective Tuesday press conferences.
“I’ve been in touch with David’s agent, his representation,” Holmes said, adding the two sides have had “healthy dialogue.”
“We love David. He’s a great player. We’d love to have him. Kind of want to put last year in the rear view and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be in a certain place as well. So those conversations are still fluid and we’re just trying to see how it goes.”
Campbell noted how much he’d like to have Montgomery back and it sounds like new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing does, too.
“Certainly, he knows how I feel,” Campbell said. “Drew loves him — who wouldn’t? This guy’s a heck of a back. And so, we’ll just see where everything’s at. Certainly, there’s been healthy conversions … David’s a pro, so we’ll figure this out.”
Montgomery did not start a game in 2025, finishing with 716 yards rushing with eight touchdowns. He also caught 24 passes for 192 yards. In 2024, Montgomery had rushed for 775 yards with 12 touchdowns and caught 36 passes for 341 yards in just 14 games. Montgomery was on the field for 37 percent of the offensive snaps, which, ironically, was not much of a reduction from 2024, when he was on the field for 41 percent of offensive snaps in games played.
The Lions will be making a trip to Germany later this year.
The team announced that they will be one of the two teams taking part in a game in Munich during the 2026 season. The game will be played at the Allianz Arena, but the date and opponent will be announced later in the offseason.
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s mother is German and he shared his excitement about the news in a statement that was included in the team’s release about the game.
“It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” St. Brown said. “I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.”
The game will be the NFL’s third in Munich. They have also played games in Frankfurt and Berlin as part of their international slate in past seasons.
We’ve known for some time that former Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka would be part of the Lions’ coaching staff in 2026 and the team officially announced his title on Monday.
Kafka will be the team’s offensive pass game coordinator. Kafka was 2-5 with the Giants after Brian Daboll was fired during the 2025 season and he spent the rest of his four-year run with the NFC East club as their offensive coordinator. He joins offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as key new faces on Dan Campbell’s offensive staff.
The Lions also announced that Dan Skipper will be an offensive assistant. Skipper retired in January after playing 66 games as an offensive tackle for Detroit.
Petzing, Kafka, and Skipper are joined on the offensive staff by associate head coach/wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery, quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell, running backs coach Tashard Choice, run game coordinator/offensive line coach Hank Fraley, assistant wide receivers coach Bruce Gradkowski, quality control coach Justin Mesa, tight ends coach Steve Oliver, pass game specialist David Shaw, and offensive assistant Marques Tuiasosopo.
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will be joined by assistant head coach/safeties coach Jim O’Neil, defensive assistant Caleb Collins, senior defensive assistant/outside linebackers coach David Corrao, linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton, defensive assistant August Mangin, run game coordinator/defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers, quality control coach Dre Thompson, and passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend.
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins, head strength and conditioning coach Josh Schuler, assistant strength and conditioning coach/director of sports science Jill Costanza, assistant strength and conditioning coach Cam Josse, assistant strength and conditioning coach Thadeus Jackson, and chief of staff/head coach administration Jesse Giambra round out the 2026 staff in Detroit.
Ben Johnson did such a good job coordinating the Lions’ offense that he was hired as head coach of the Bears, and now coaches against the Lions twice a year. Johnson knows the Lions’ offense well, and he says they’ve found the right man to run it in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
Johnson and Petzing are close friends, and Johnson says Lions head coach Dan Campbell couldn’t have hired a better offensive coordinator than Petzing.
“I think he’s going to blow those players away just from a knowledge standpoint, from a connection standpoint,” Johnson told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I fully expect that offense to be clicking at a high level next year. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit, and I think there’s a reason why Dan, from what I could gather, cast a wide net for the offensive coordinator job and Drew hit the right notes in terms of what he was looking for. That doesn’t surprise me. I could see this being a great fit knowing Dan and knowing Drew both. I think it’s probably a match made in heaven.”
Johnson expects the Bears’ defense to have its hands full against the Lions’ offense.
“I think what Drew does is, or at least what he showed in Arizona is he’s going to put his best players in a chance to showcase what they do,” Johnson said. “I think it’s a really smart decision by Dan. It’s going to be hopefully not too big of a headache on us, but I see it being a really good match.”
Johnson has coached the NFC North champion for three straight years, as head coach of the Bears in 2025 and as offensive coordinator of the Lions in 2023 and 2024. He thinks Petzing makes his quest for four in a row harder.
The Lions will be making a big change at the top of their organization.
President and CEO Rod Wood announced on Wednesday that he will retire from those roles. A search for a successor will begin immediately and Wood will step down once that person is found. The team expects that to happen before the 2026 season gets underway.
“I want to thank the Ford Family and ultimately Lions fans everywhere for trusting me to lead the Detroit Lions for the last 11 seasons,” Wood said in a statement. “It has been an absolute thrill for me to lead this organization, and I am proud of what we have accomplished over that decade-plus. I am most proud of where I am leaving this organization, in the capable hands of Sheila Hamp, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell.”
Wood joined the Lions in 2015 after working for the Ford family office and in other financial management positions.
