You hope this isn’t it, right?
The Detroit Lions are walking a razor-thin line right now. They could still win the NFC North… or they could miss the playoffs entirely. That’s how tight things are heading into the final stretch of the season.
What makes this week hit a little harder is the setting. This is the final regular-season home game at Ford Field, and unless the Lions win the division and host a playoff game (highly unlikely), Sunday could be the last time we see this current group together in Detroit.
And the reality of the NFL is simple: not everyone taking the field will be back next season.
Here are five Detroit Lions players who could be playing their final game at Ford Field.
Alex Anzalone
This one feels like it’s been coming for a while.
The Lions already have Jack Campbell (who looks like an All-Pro in the making), Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez ready to shoulder more responsibility at linebacker. Depth isn’t the issue; money and future planning are.
Anzalone wanted a contract extension this past summer. The Lions didn’t give him one. That usually tells you everything you need to know.
Add in the fact that Anzalone will likely command more on the open market than Detroit is comfortable paying, and it’s hard not to see this as a quiet goodbye brewing. He’s been a massive part of the culture change, but this could be his final run through the Ford Field tunnel.
Chances of Returning in 2026: 20%
Marcus Davenport
Davenport’s time in Detroit has been defined by injuries and missed opportunities. Since returning to the field, he hasn’t been impactful, and unless he really steps up over the final three weeks of the season (and in the playoffs if the Lions make it), this could be his final game in the Honolulu blue.
Could he be back? Maybe, but only at a bargain price. If Davenport is willing to return on a deal around $2 million or less, the Lions might take another low-risk swing. Otherwise, this chapter probably ends quietly.
Chances of Returning in 2026: 20%
Taylor Decker
This is the wild card.
Decker has openly talked about retirement. He’s thought about it. He hasn’t hidden it. But he’s also a competitor, the kind who doesn’t want his career to end quietly.
If the Lions miss the playoffs, does Decker really want that to be the final note of his career? Or does that frustration pull him back for one more run?
Nobody knows. And honestly, Decker might not know yet either. But depending on how these final weeks play out, Sunday could be a much more emotional night than fans are ready for.
Chances of Returning in 2026: 51%
Graham Glasgow
This one feels like it could be the end of an era in the trenches.
The Lions have a clear vision for the future of their offensive line, and Glasgow doesn’t exactly fit that long-term plan. That, coupled with the fact that the Lions would save a huge chunk of cap space in 2026 if they let him walk after the 2025 season, could mean the end of his time in Detroit.
If Glasgow does return for the final year of his deal, it would almost certainly have to be restructured in the Lions’ favor. As we speak, Glasgow is set to be an $8,437,500 cap hit in 2026, which is absurd.
Chances of Returning in 2026: 15%
Kalif Raymond
This one stings emotionally.
Raymond has been a tone-setter. A spark plug. A fan favorite.
But the math is working against him. He’ll be 32 years old when the 2026 season begins, and the Lions are clearly shifting toward younger, more explosive options. Isaac TeSlaa is already starting to carve out a larger role, and it’s hard to imagine Detroit offering Raymond another contract.
He’s been awesome here. Truly. But time waits for nobody, especially in the NFL.
Chances of Returning in 2026: 20%
Bottom Line
This is what makes late-season football so emotional.
Every snap might mean more than we realize. Every jog off the field could be the last time we see a familiar face at Ford Field. The Lions still have everything to play for, but no matter how this season ends, change is coming.
And for a handful of players, Sunday might be the final goodbye.
