What if the greatest players in Detroit Lions history lined up together in their prime? Stafford under center, Sanders in the backfield, Megatron outside and Sewell in the trenches — this is the ultimate all-time Lions offense, built across generations.
Have you ever wondered what the greatest Detroit Lions team ever assembled would look like?
Imagine Matthew Stafford dropping back behind an elite offensive line, handing the ball off to Barry Sanders or Jahmyr Gibbs, and throwing to Calvin Johnson and Amon-Ra St. Brown. It is a blend of eras — championship grit from the 1950s, star power from the 1990s and record-breaking production from today.
This is Part I of a two-part series constructing the greatest Lions team of all time. We begin with the offense.
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Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Despite never winning a playoff game in Detroit, Stafford stands as the greatest quarterback in franchise history.
Stafford’s résumé extends beyond his Lions tenure. A Super Bowl champion and league MVP, he ranks eighth all-time in passing yards and seventh in passing touchdowns. His arm talent, toughness and late-game heroics defined an era of Lions football. While Jared Goff delivered playoff victories and a Super Bowl appearance, Stafford’s career production and hardware ultimately give him the edge.
At his peak, Stafford was capable of carrying an offense. In an all-time lineup loaded with weapons, his skill set would flourish even more.
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Running Backs: Barry Sanders and Jahmyr Gibbs
Rather than stacking the field with three wide receivers, this all-time offense leans into Detroit’s historic strength — dynamic running backs.
Barry Sanders is a lock. Sanders ranks fourth all-time in rushing yards despite playing only nine seasons. He never rushed for fewer than 1,300 yards in a season and remains widely regarded as the greatest running back in NFL history. His vision, balance and elusiveness are unmatched.
Pairing Sanders with Jahmyr Gibbs creates a nightmare for defenses. Gibbs, still early in his career, has already established himself as one of the league’s most explosive offensive players. He broke Sanders’ franchise record for most touchdowns before turning 24, reaching 48 total touchdowns. Though he has yet to earn First-Team All-Pro honors, his trajectory suggests it is only a matter of time.
Together, Sanders and Gibbs would form one of the most electrifying backfields imaginable.
Wide Receivers: Calvin Johnson and Amon-Ra St. Brown
Few franchises can match the star power of this duo.
Calvin Johnson, known simply as “Megatron,” was a true unicorn. He recorded 329 receiving yards in a single game, the second-most in NFL history, and set the single-season receiving yardage record with 1,964 yards in 2012, surpassing Jerry Rice. Johnson led the league in receiving yards twice and earned three First-Team All-Pro selections. His size, speed and red-zone dominance made him nearly unguardable.
On the opposite side is Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has been one of the most productive receivers in football over the past three seasons, including playoffs:
• 4,590 receiving yards (second in the NFL)
• 34 receiving touchdowns (first)
• 381 receptions (first)
St. Brown has earned two First-Team All-Pro honors and one Second-Team selection, cementing himself among the league’s elite. His route running, toughness and reliability would complement Johnson’s vertical dominance perfectly.
Tight End: Charlie Sanders
Charlie Sanders remains the gold standard at tight end in franchise history.
From 1968 to 1977, Sanders earned seven Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro honors. A Pro Football Hall of Famer, he totaled 336 receptions for 4,817 yards and 31 touchdowns. In an era not known for pass-heavy offenses, Sanders was one of the first truly dynamic receiving tight ends.
His presence would add versatility and balance to this all-time offense.
Offensive Line: Lou Creekmur, John Gordy, Frank Ragnow, Larry Glover, Penei Sewell
Championship offenses begin in the trenches, and this group blends historic greatness with modern dominance. Combined, these five linemen account for 16 All-Pro selections and 22 Pro Bowl appearances.
Lou Creekmur anchors the unit. A six-time First-Team All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler, he was a cornerstone of Detroit’s 1950s championship teams and is widely considered the greatest offensive lineman in franchise history.
John Gordy, a four-time First-Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, was a dominant guard during the Lions’ last championship era. His consistency and accolades cement his legacy.
Frank Ragnow brings modern excellence to the center position. A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time Second-Team All-Pro, he has been one of the league’s top centers during the Dan Campbell era.
Larry Glover, a three-time Pro Bowler, provides steady veteran presence from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Then there is Penei Sewell. A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro from 2023 to 2025, Sewell has emerged as one of the NFL’s premier tackles. Still early in his career, he is already on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
This all-time Lions offense blends eras, styles and philosophies. It has explosiveness in the backfield, dominance on the outside and power in the trenches.
In Part II, we will assemble the defense — and see if it can match the firepower of this historic offense.