Erik Schlitt
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erikschlitt.bsky.social
Erik Schlitt
@erikschlitt.bsky.social
9.7K followers 110 following 890 posts
Managing Editor at Pride of Detroit. Co-host of the Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast and the POD mid-week mailbag podcast.
“We don’t draft scared. We don’t play scared.”
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erikschlitt.bsky.social
Erik Schlitt @erikschlitt.bsky.social · 24d
Every year, I track all the Lions contracts, breaking them down by position, role, and team status. I also share my thoughts on offseason strategy and more.

This is a continuously updating piece, so make sure to BOOKMARK and check back for updates.
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
Lions contract tracker: Depth chart of signed players, free agents & cap hits
This article will update with every 2026 signing, so be sure to bookmark and reference it throughout the offseason!
www.prideofdetroit.com
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Detroit Lions OC Drew Petzing joined me and Jeremy Reisman on this week's @prideofdetroit.bsky.social mailbag podcast.
We spent 30 minutes getting to know the new OC and talking Detroit Lions talk -->
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_oX...
Exclusive: Lions OC Drew Petzing Joins for In-Depth Q&A
YouTube video by Pride of Detroit
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:21 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Some exciting news -->
Join Pride of Detroit’s EXCLUSIVE Q&A with new Detroit Lions OC Drew Petzing
www.prideofdetroit.com/pride-of-det...
Join Pride of Detroit’s EXCLUSIVE Q&A with new Detroit Lions OC Drew Petzing
Detroit Lions OC Drew Petzing will join Pride of Detroit LIVE on Thursday and you can ask him questions!
www.prideofdetroit.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:20 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Report: Dan Skipper to join Detroit Lions coaching staff
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
Report: Dan Skipper to join Detroit Lions coaching staff
Recently retired Dan Skipper is reportedly joining the Detroit Lions’ coaching staff.
www.prideofdetroit.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
I joined @mekoscott.bsky.social and @mcannon313.bsky.social on the POD YouTube page for a fun 40-minute discussion about "Way-Too-Early Detroit Lions Draft Targets for 2026"

We talk prospects at the biggest positions of need, and a surprise pick Brad Holmes might make -->
youtu.be/WycEh-yw2j4?...
Way-Too-Early Detroit Lions Draft Targets for 2026
YouTube video by Pride of Detroit
youtu.be
February 11, 2026 at 12:21 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Super Bowl 2027 opening odds: Where the Detroit Lions stand, per Vegas
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
Super Bowl 2027 opening odds: Where the Detroit Lions stand, per Vegas
Detroit Lions’ opening odds for winning the Super Bowl in 2027.
www.prideofdetroit.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:26 AM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
2026 Free Agency: Super Bowl players the Lions should be scouting
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
2026 Free Agency: Super Bowl players the Lions should be scouting
Identifying which potential 2026 free agents playing in this year’s Super Bowl could interest the Detroit Lions.
www.prideofdetroit.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:07 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Jets hire Lions position coach as their passing game coordinator
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
Jets hire Lions position coach as their passing game coordinator
Lions assistant tight ends coach Seth Ryan will join Aaron Glenn in New York.
www.prideofdetroit.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:45 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
2026 Lions Mock Draft Roundup 5.0: Defense dominates pre-Super Bowl projections
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
2026 Lions Mock Draft Roundup 5.0: Defense dominates pre-Super Bowl projections
Taking a closer look at the prospects from the 2026 NFL Draft that have been projected to the Lions over the past week.
www.prideofdetroit.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:12 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Yes, we just got confirmation that this rule will apply to Josh Paschal as well
outofthegates.bsky.social Mike K @outofthegates.bsky.social · 10d
Does today's Levi news change this for Paschal too?
February 2, 2026 at 6:41 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Detroit Lions DL Levi Onwuzurike is still under contract in 2026 due to a little-known rule
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
Detroit Lions DL Levi Onwuzurike still under contract in 2026 due to little-known rule
Detroit Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike is still under contract for 2026 due to a rare CBA rule.
www.prideofdetroit.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:33 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
2026 NFL salary cap expected to exceed $300 million -->
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
2026 NFL salary cap expected to exceed $300 million
The 2026 NFL salary cap is expected to increase beyond initial estimates for the second consecutive year.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:02 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Draft hit rate was very low and they’re way over the salary cap… tough combo
diannarussini.bsky.social Dianna Russini @diannarussini.bsky.social · 13d
The Vikings are firing GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, a source tells The Athletic.
January 30, 2026 at 5:46 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
2026 Senior Bowl primer. @footballguyal.bsky.social and I teamed up again, this time to bring you 14 NFL Draft prospects for the Lions to watch --> www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
2026 Senior Bowl: 14 NFL Draft prospects for Lions to watch
Identifying which NFL Draft prospects the Lions should be watching at the 2026 Senior Bowl.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:05 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
2026 Lions Mock Draft Roundup 4.0: New prospects join the fray
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
2026 Lions Mock Draft Roundup 4.0: New prospects join the fray
Taking a closer look at the prospects from the 2026 NFL Draft that have been projected to the Lions over the past week.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:12 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
I took another deep dive into the 2026 free agent class, this time exploring all the connections to Lions Mike Kafka -->
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
18 free agents with connections to Lions coach Mike Kafka
Taking a look at the 2026 NFL free agents who have connections to Detroit Lions coach Mike Kafka.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:01 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
The East-West Shrine game kicks off at 7 pm ET on NFL Network

ICYMI, @footballguyal.bsky.social and I brokedown 12 NFL Draft prospects from the game that the Lions should be paying attention to -->
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
12 NFL Draft prospects for Lions to watch during 2026 East-West Shrine game
12 NFL Draft prospects to watch at the 2026 East-West Shrine game for the Detroit Lions.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:29 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
The East-West Shrine All-Star game is tonight, so my guy @footballguyal.bsky.social and I teamed up to identify 12 prospects the Lions should be watching -->
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
12 NFL Draft prospects for Lions to watch during 2026 East-West Shrine game
12 NFL Draft prospects to watch at the 2026 East-West Shrine game for the Detroit Lions.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:57 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Lions to hire Mike Kafka in a ‘high-ranking offensive staff role’
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
Lions to hire Mike Kafka in a ‘high-ranking offensive staff role’
The Lions add another significant piece to their offensive coaching staff.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:18 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Lions retain safeties coach Jim O'Neil with new contract

IMO, this is a bigger deal than most may realize --> www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
Lions retain important defensive coach with new contract
The Lions are retaining one of the best position coaches on their staff.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:38 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
2026 NFL mock draft: Daniel Jeremiah pairs Lions with rising Miami EDGE rusher -->
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
2026 NFL mock draft: Daniel Jeremiah pairs Lions with EDGE
Checking in on Lions selection in Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:14 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
I combed through the last decade of rosters that Lions OC Drew Petzing coached, then cross referenced those with this years free agent class and found over 30 players available.

Here’s that list and my thoughts on who the Lions may or may not target —>

www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
Exploring the 2026 free agents connected to Lions OC Drew Petzing
Taking a look at the 30+ free agents who have connections to Lions OC Drew Petzing.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:10 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
2026 Lions Mock Draft Roundup 3.0: A shift in OL projections
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
2026 Lions Mock Draft Roundup 3.0: A shift in OL projections
Taking a closer look at the prospects from the 2026 NFL Draft that have been projected to the Lions over the past week.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:35 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Aidan Hutchinson is a finalist for 2 NFL Honors awards
www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
Lions Aidan Hutchinson a finalist for 2 NFL Honors awards
Detroit Lions star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is up for 2 NFL Honors after a tremendous 2025 season.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:10 PM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
ICYMI earlier today, I listed every 2026 draft prospect playing in tonight's National Championship and identifed the the 12 that would make sense for the Lions --> www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lion...
2026 NFL Draft: 12 prospects to watch for Lions in National Championship
Identifying which 2026 NFL Draft prospects the Lions should be watching during the CFP National Championship game.
www.prideofdetroit.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:18 AM
erikschlitt.bsky.social
Lions OC Drew Petzing's offensive coaching connections/influences:
Former HC
- Norv Turner
- Pat Shurmur
- Gary Kubiak
- Bill Callahan
Former OC --> Current HC
- Kevin Stefanski
- Ben Johnson
- Shane Steichen
OL coach
- Klayton Adams (Dallas OC)
- Hank Fraley (Lions OL)
January 19, 2026 at 10:22 PM