Dave Birkett
@davebirkett.bsky.social
Detroit Lions beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. 4x Michigan Sportswriter of the Year.
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Dave Birkett
@davebirkett.bsky.social
· Feb 11
Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline - Dave Birkett
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Gonna leave this pinned here. Get your copy of my book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." It's a great gift for the Lions fan in your life. If you want it personalized, shoot me an email or leave it in the comments of the order and we'll make it happen checkout.square.site/merchant/ML5...
I don’t get the Mike McCarthy hire
January 24, 2026 at 8:44 PM
I don’t get the Mike McCarthy hire
Mail's here: On Drew Petzing's fit as OC, where the Detroit Lions could go at LT if Taylor Decker retires and picking between Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson as HC www.freep.com/story/sports...
Detroit Lions mailbag: Drew Petzing's fit as OC; who's next at LT
2 NFL teams went from worst to first in their division this season, a jump the Lions will be trying to make in 2026
www.freep.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Mail's here: On Drew Petzing's fit as OC, where the Detroit Lions could go at LT if Taylor Decker retires and picking between Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson as HC www.freep.com/story/sports...
Let's do a Lions mailbag for Sunday. New OC, upcoming offseason moves, playoff games this weekend, whatever's on your mind.
January 23, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Let's do a Lions mailbag for Sunday. New OC, upcoming offseason moves, playoff games this weekend, whatever's on your mind.
Detroit Lions OT Dan Skipper ‘reporting as retired,’ ready to begin coaching career www.freep.com/story/sports...
Dan Skipper, Lions OT, announces retirement, plans to coach in 2026
Dan Skipper said after the season he played through a back injury this season that might force him to retire from the NFL
www.freep.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Detroit Lions OT Dan Skipper ‘reporting as retired,’ ready to begin coaching career www.freep.com/story/sports...
Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year awards www.freep.com/story/sports... via @freep
Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year
Hutchinson led the Lions and finished fourth in the NFL with a career-high 14.5 sacks this season.
www.freep.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year awards www.freep.com/story/sports... via @freep
'Window's wide open' for Ennis Rakestraw to play a major role in Detroit Lions secondary in 2026 www.freep.com/story/sports...
'Window's wide open' for Ennis Rakestraw as Detroit Lions CB in 2026
A second-round pick out of Missouri in 2024, Detroit Lions CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has missed 26 of a possible 34 games because of injury.
www.freep.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:42 PM
'Window's wide open' for Ennis Rakestraw to play a major role in Detroit Lions secondary in 2026 www.freep.com/story/sports...
Lions DE Ahmed Hassanein is excited for 2026 after returning from injury to spend half of last season on the practice squad: "[I want them to] see that and be like, 'OK, Ahmed earned it. We want to take Ahmed to battle with us.' This is what I strive for." www.freep.com/story/sports...
Ahmed Hassanein's time on Lions practice squad has him ready for 2026
Ahmed Hassanein frustrated some of his veteran teammates with his relentless play in practice, "a good thing" according to Lions GM Brad Holmes.
www.freep.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Lions DE Ahmed Hassanein is excited for 2026 after returning from injury to spend half of last season on the practice squad: "[I want them to] see that and be like, 'OK, Ahmed earned it. We want to take Ahmed to battle with us.' This is what I strive for." www.freep.com/story/sports...
Heck of a game. Lot of big-time performances from players on both teams. Bain. Mendoza, Toney, Ponds, Becker.
And what a story Indiana football is under Cignetti.
And what a story Indiana football is under Cignetti.
January 20, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Heck of a game. Lot of big-time performances from players on both teams. Bain. Mendoza, Toney, Ponds, Becker.
And what a story Indiana football is under Cignetti.
And what a story Indiana football is under Cignetti.
That has a chance to be just a crushing penalty. And I think I would have gone for it on fourth down.
January 20, 2026 at 4:09 AM
That has a chance to be just a crushing penalty. And I think I would have gone for it on fourth down.
Heck of a call on fourth-and-5, and great run by Mendoza.
January 20, 2026 at 3:39 AM
Heck of a call on fourth-and-5, and great run by Mendoza.
I know he'll get knocked for the short arms in the draft process, but man, Rueben Bain is so good.
January 20, 2026 at 1:51 AM
I know he'll get knocked for the short arms in the draft process, but man, Rueben Bain is so good.
Ben Johnson from 12-26 mentions his relationship with new Lions OC Drew Petzing
January 20, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Ben Johnson from 12-26 mentions his relationship with new Lions OC Drew Petzing
As you get ready to watch the national championship game tonight, 5 NFL draft prospects to keep an eye on who would fit the Detroit Lions www.freep.com/story/sports...
5 NFL draft prospects for Lions to watch from Indiana-Miami title game
Indiana has 2 offensive linemen who could interest a Lions team that needs to get younger and deeper up front
www.freep.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:25 AM
As you get ready to watch the national championship game tonight, 5 NFL draft prospects to keep an eye on who would fit the Detroit Lions www.freep.com/story/sports...
Nope. Petzing expected to call plays. It’s in the story www.freep.com/story/sports...
January 19, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Nope. Petzing expected to call plays. It’s in the story www.freep.com/story/sports...
More on why the Lions picked Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator, and who else was in the mix www.freep.com/story/sports...
Lions hiring Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator
Drew Petzing spent the past three seasons calling plays for the Arizona Cardinals, and now takes over the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator job.
www.freep.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:28 PM
More on why the Lions picked Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator, and who else was in the mix www.freep.com/story/sports...
Confirmed: The Lions are hiring Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. It was a wide-ranging search. Lions interviewed 9 candidates for the job, Petzing is a young up-and-comer who had HC interviews last year www.freep.com/story/sports...
Lions hiring Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator
Drew Petzing spent the past three seasons calling plays for the Arizona Cardinals, and now takes over the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator job.
www.freep.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Confirmed: The Lions are hiring Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. It was a wide-ranging search. Lions interviewed 9 candidates for the job, Petzing is a young up-and-comer who had HC interviews last year www.freep.com/story/sports...
10 head coach openings this hiring cycle. The Lions play 6 of those teams next season: The Bills, Dolphins, Giants, Falcons, Cardinals, Titans.
January 19, 2026 at 2:32 PM
10 head coach openings this hiring cycle. The Lions play 6 of those teams next season: The Bills, Dolphins, Giants, Falcons, Cardinals, Titans.
5 NFL draft prospects who could interest the Lions in tonight’s Indiana-Miami title game www.freep.com/story/sports...
5 NFL draft prospects for Lions to watch from Indiana-Miami title game
Indiana has 2 offensive linemen who could interest a Lions team that needs to get younger and deeper up front
www.freep.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:39 PM
5 NFL draft prospects who could interest the Lions in tonight’s Indiana-Miami title game www.freep.com/story/sports...
Reposted by Dave Birkett
Most consecutive years without a Super Bowl appearance, division:
16: AFC South, 2010-25 (current)
14: NFC North, 2011-24 (current)
10: NFC Central, 1986-95
9: NFC West, 1970-78
8: AFC East, 1974-81
8: AFC North, 2013-20
8: NFC Central, 1977-84
16: AFC South, 2010-25 (current)
14: NFC North, 2011-24 (current)
10: NFC Central, 1986-95
9: NFC West, 1970-78
8: AFC East, 1974-81
8: AFC North, 2013-20
8: NFC Central, 1977-84
January 18, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Most consecutive years without a Super Bowl appearance, division:
16: AFC South, 2010-25 (current)
14: NFC North, 2011-24 (current)
10: NFC Central, 1986-95
9: NFC West, 1970-78
8: AFC East, 1974-81
8: AFC North, 2013-20
8: NFC Central, 1977-84
16: AFC South, 2010-25 (current)
14: NFC North, 2011-24 (current)
10: NFC Central, 1986-95
9: NFC West, 1970-78
8: AFC East, 1974-81
8: AFC North, 2013-20
8: NFC Central, 1977-84
Heck of a finish.
What’s your Super Bowl matchup?
What’s your Super Bowl matchup?
January 19, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Heck of a finish.
What’s your Super Bowl matchup?
What’s your Super Bowl matchup?
Backyard Caleb is the best Caleb
January 19, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Backyard Caleb is the best Caleb
I think I would’ve gone for two there
January 19, 2026 at 2:37 AM
I think I would’ve gone for two there
Bears have dropped so many passes tonight (not blaming a tackle eligible!)
January 19, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Bears have dropped so many passes tonight (not blaming a tackle eligible!)
I know it’s 7-7, but Bears look better than the Rams in just about every way (but fourth downs) so far
January 19, 2026 at 12:51 AM
I know it’s 7-7, but Bears look better than the Rams in just about every way (but fourth downs) so far