The Detroit Lions have made it a priority this offseason to rebuild their depth along both lines of scrimmage. But according to one analyst, there's still one area that could use a proven veteran presence—and the answer might be a familiar face.
Mike Payton of A to Z Sports has suggested the Lions should consider bringing back former defensive tackle Benito Jones to shore up the interior defensive line rotation heading into 2026. It's a move that makes sense on multiple levels, especially for a team that prides itself on physical, grind-it-out football.
Detroit looks strong at the top of the depth chart, with Alim McNeill and 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams anchoring the middle. But behind them, questions remain about reliable run-stopping depth—an area where Jones has historically delivered.
Jones suited up for the Lions during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, even earning starting reps in 2023. He may not have been a stat-sheet stuffer, but he quietly played his role to perfection. As Payton noted, Jones "played well as a run-stuffing nose tackle or a space eater on pass rush reps." In other words, he brought the kind of reliability and physicality that Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes continue to prioritize.
Since leaving Detroit, Jones spent the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, splitting time as a starter and rotational contributor. In 2025, his role shifted more toward rotational work, but he remained effective against the run—exactly what the Lions need behind their starters.
The Lions do have other options on the roster. Myles Adams has seen opportunities from the coaching staff, Levi Onwuzurike could factor into the rotation if healthy, and Jay Tufele is still in the mix. Rookie Skyler Gill-Howard also brings developmental upside as a pass-rushing interior player. But none of those names offer the same proven fit and system familiarity that Jones provides.
That familiarity could make a reunion particularly attractive. For a team looking to solidify its interior rotation and build on last season's momentum, bringing back a trusted run-stopper like Jones might be the smartest move of the offseason.