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Detroit Lions Struggle to Keep Young Talent as Roster Ages
27 Aug
Summary
- Lions' average roster age is 4th oldest in NFL, up from 9th youngest last year
- GM admits it's "really hard" to find room for young, developmental players
- Packers have NFL's youngest team, Lions' NFC North rivals also younger
As of August 27th, 2025, the Detroit Lions' roster has taken a notable turn towards veteran experience. According to the latest reports, the Lions' average player age on their initial 53-man roster is 26.60 years, making them the 4th oldest team in the NFL and 3rd oldest in the NFC.
This marks a significant shift from last year, when the Lions had the 9th youngest roster in the league with an average age of 25.73 years. The team's general manager, Brad Holmes, has acknowledged the challenge of retaining young, developmental players as the overall talent on the roster has improved.
In contrast, the Lions' NFC North division rivals have managed to maintain younger rosters. The Green Bay Packers currently have the youngest team in the NFL at 25.23 years on average, while the Chicago Bears (26.23 years) and Minnesota Vikings (26.40 years) are also younger than the aging Lions.
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As the Lions prepare for the upcoming season, they will need to navigate the challenges of an older roster and find ways to integrate fresh, young talent alongside their veteran core. The team's ability to strike the right balance will be crucial to their success in the 2025 campaign and beyond.
