Michael Niese has officially re-signed with the Detroit Lions as the team gears up for the upcoming season. As an exclusive-rights free agent, he played a significant role last season by participating in all 17 games, contributing both on offense and special teams. Niese, who started with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2022, has spent the past two seasons solidifying his position with the Lions, providing depth to the interior offensive line.

With Frank Ragnow established as the starting center, Niese will continue to serve as a crucial backup, offering flexibility and reliability. His experience with various teams, including the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be invaluable as the Lions aim to enhance their offensive line depth heading into the new season.

Erik McCoy, despite playing only nine games, showcased his elite skills as the NFL's highest-graded center, leading in run-blocking with a 94.5 PFF grade. Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs has also been stellar, consistently ranking among the top centers since entering the league in 2021. Fellow centers Frank Ragnow and Tyler Linderbaum also delivered impressive performances, with Ragnow excelling in run-blocking for the Detroit Lions and Linderbaum maintaining a clean sack record since his rookie season.

Drew Dalman of the Atlanta Falcons, entering free agency after a solid year in pass protection, made strides in his performance following an injury. Newcomer Zach Frazier from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona's Hjalte Froholdt have both made significant impacts in their respective teams. The rising star Joe Tippmann of the New York Jets is also turning heads with his improvements.

Ben Johnson, the new head coach of the Chicago Bears, received the prestigious Assistant Coach of the Year award during the NFL Honors ceremony. This recognition stemmed from his exceptional role as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, where he guided the team to an impressive average of 33.1 points per game, leading the league in scoring. Johnson's strategic vision was pivotal in the success of star players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and showcased his proficiency in maximizing talent on the field.

In addition to his award, Johnson's ascent within the coaching ranks reflects his dedication and hard work, transitioning from various roles until reaching head coach status. The Lions' offense not only led the league in points but also placed three players on the All-Pro teams, underscoring Johnson's impact on player development and offensive strategy. His recent six-year, $65 million contract with Chicago signals a promising new chapter, as he looks to bring his successful approach to a franchise seeking resurgence.

The 2024 NFL offseason is set to be crucial for the Detroit Lions, who are aiming for their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history by 2025. Although they fell short this season, the Lions possess an impressive $46.7 million in cap space, ranking ninth in the league. The salary cap is projected to increase to approximately $272.5 million, allowing teams to make significant upgrades. General manager Brad Holmes faces the challenge of managing hefty contracts starting in 2025, including those of Jared Goff, Taylor Decker, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, which requires strategic spending in free agency.

Holmes must navigate a landscape where the New England Patriots lead with over $120 million in available funds for new head coach Mike Vrabel. The Lions have accumulated $252 million in total cap liabilities for the upcoming season, with key players like Goff and Decker commanding high figures. The team must balance immediate roster improvements while planning for the financial implications of their contracts in the next two seasons.

After the Detroit Lions' recent postseason elimination, offensive line coach Hank Fraley is emerging as a leading candidate for the Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator role. Following a second in-person interview scheduled for Tuesday, he joins two other candidates, Klint Kubiak and Grant Udinski, as the Seahawks seek a new offensive strategy post-Ryan Grubb's dismissal.

Despite lacking prior play-calling experience, Fraley's tenure in Detroit has seen him develop a robust offensive line, pivotal in the Lions' back-to-back NFC North title wins. His success is highlighted by a low sack rate and impressive rushing statistics, indicating his potential alignment with the Seahawks' desired physical offensive approach.