An important part of the Detroit defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weak side) linebackers. Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Lions LBs include DeAndre Levy, Stephen Boyd, George Jamison, and Dennis Gibson.

In the 2017-18 NFL season, the current Detroit Lions starting LBs and backup LBs are Brandon Chubb, Jarrad Davis, Steve Longa, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin.

The Detroit Lions are one of the oldest teams in the NFL and while they’ve found a recent resurgence under head coach Dan Campbell, the team spent some pretty dreary years of their history wallowing in mediocrity.

Detroit Lions have had some great linebackers like Joe Schmidt, Mike Cofer, Chris Spielman among many others who have contributed very much to the Lions’ defense.

List Of Detroit Lions Best Linebackers Of All-Time

Joe Schmidt

Seasons: 1965, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953

Mike Cofer

Seasons: 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985

Chris Spielman

Seasons: 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989

Ken Fantetti

Seasons: 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979

Wayne Walker

Seasons: 1972,1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960

Charlie Weaver

Seasons: 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973

Paul Naumoff

Seasons: 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972,1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967

Stephen Boyd

Seasons: 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996

Stephen Tulloch

Seasons: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

DeAndre Levy

Seasons:  2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

George Jamison

Seasons: 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988

Reggie Brown

Seasons: 1997, 1996

Chris Claiborne

Seasons: 2002 , 2001, 2000, 1999

Dennis Gibson

Seasons: 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987

Tahir Whitehead

Seasons: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

Ed O’Neil

Seasons: 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975

Jimmy Williams

Seasons: 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983

Ernie Clark

Seasons: 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964

Ernie Sims

Seasons: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006