A long offseason awaits the Detroit Lions. Longer than usual, after missing the postseason for the first time since 2022.

“Brad and I will have a lot of decisions to make, you know, a lot of things to look at,” Dan Campbell said after a 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. “The what’s, the whys, the how do we improve? Because we need to improve.”

Those words were more about the months ahead than the week ahead, but Campbell faces a decision before the season concludes. The Lions are set to travel to Chicago (Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET) to face the NFC North champion Chicago Bears. Campbell’s approach to that game is worth discussing. This team is injured, and certain vets could be far too important to let compete in a game that no longer determines their playoff fate. The Lions have a lot more to gain from a loss — draft positioning, perhaps a lighter schedule — than from a win.

But then, well, there’s the matter of pride and the message you want to leave your team heading into an extended break.

Given how Campbell operates, it should be a fascinating decision.

Let’s talk it through.

The injury situation

Detroit’s injury situation has been well-documented. This is the second-most-injured team in the NFL this season, in terms of games missed with an injured reserve designation (254). Detroit trails only the Arizona Cardinals (269).

Before the year, the Lions lost key reserve pieces such as Levi Onwuzurike, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Josh Paschal, who wasn’t able to return within his practice window. Detroit’s entire starting secondary has been on IR at some point this season. Two of its four starting defensive linemen (Alim McNeill, Marcus Davenport) had IR stints, too. Star TE Sam LaPorta played nine games before having season-ending back surgery. Starting left guard Christian Mahogany missed six games with a broken fibula, while starting left tackle Taylor Decker has missed three games and played the majority of the season with a bad shoulder.

Most recently, the Lions saw Penei Sewell leave the Vikings game with an ankle injury before returning to action. Star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown went down late in that game, and was already dealing with a knee injury before Week 17. Alex Anzalone was evaluated for a concussion. McNeill played just 14 snaps after suffering an abdominal injury. Decker and starting center Graham Glasgow, who’s missed the last two games, didn’t play.

The Lions aren’t in a position to have guys gut it out for a game that no longer factors into their playoff chances. For their own sake, it would make sense to rest certain veterans, with an eye toward 2026.

2026 NFL Draft positioning

When teams get eliminated from the playoffs, the natural next step involves a look at draft positioning. The Lions haven’t been eliminated from playoff contention prior to Week 18 since the 2021 season — Campbell’s first year in Detroit. But this is their current reality.