Detroit, MI
Mootz Pizzeria + Bar in Detroit to expand space, add more seating ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Mootz Pizzeria + Bar downtown on Library Street is expanding to accommodate more diners and seating. On Monday, the pizzeria owners announced a more than 2,000-square-foot expansion into a space that’s adjacent to the restaurant.
The new space, called “Bar Mootz” and connected to the pizzeria is a former clothing store. With the expansion, there will be more bar and patio seating as well as a private event space.
“Since opening five years ago, our growth has been truly remarkable, and it’s all thanks to the support of the Detroit community and our incredibly talented team,” Lisa Walters, operating partner of Mootz Pizzeria + Bar said in a news release.
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Within the new expanding area, Bar Mootz will be able to accommodate larger parties and private events, which Walters said has been in demand in recent years.
Owners a planning a late March opening, ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, an event expected to draw thousands to downtown Detroit.The new space, described as an “intimate and chic setting” and designed by Columbia Construction, will accommodate up to 50 people between the bar and patio. When not reserved for private events, Bar Mootz will also handle overflow from the pizzeria.
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The Bar Mootz menu will feature high-end cocktails and small plates that will only be available in that space.
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Mootz Pizzeria + Bar opened in 2019 with a menu created by Bruno DiFabio, a six-time World Pizza Games champion. Its menu features authentic New York-style pizza and a selection of starters, salads, and pastas. Mootz also has an area for pizza slices to-go and a full beer, wine, and cocktail menu.
For more information and reservations for Bar Mootz call 313- 243-1230 or visit mootzpizzeria.com.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.
Lions 2026 schedule manageable, but final 4 games will decide it all
A couple quick thoughts from Dave Birkett on the Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule release, Thursday, May 14.
The Detroit Lions filled most of their biggest needs in last month’s NFL draft. They landed a new starting right tackle, a new rotational defensive end and depth help at linebacker, defensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver.
The Lions have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, but the offseason’s not over. Training camps are still more than two months away and they sit $23.6 million under the salary cap, according to NFL Players Association records, the 14th-most available cap space in the NFL.
The Lions do not appear poised to make any notable additions before the league goes on hiatus next month, but they have the flexibility to do so if necessary.
Here are five players they can spend their money on to bolster their roster for 2026:
DE Cam Jordan
The Lions signed DJ Wonnum in free agency and traded up to take Derrick Moore in the second round of the draft. With Aidan Hutchinson locked in at one defensive end spot and Levi Onwuzurike capable of playing the big end role, the Lions have the makings of a solid group of edge rushers. But Moore’s a rookie, and Onwuzurike’s missed more games (43) than he’s played (42) in his five-year career, so there’s reason to believe the Lions still could use insurance at the position.
Jordan is more than insurance. He’s an eight-time Pro Bowler who had 10½ sacks last season at age 36 and won’t play cheap this fall. But he’s still a free agent, and until he signs, he’ll be considered the best fit for the Lions defense given his pass-rushing profile and familiarity with Dan Campbell from their days together with the New Orleans Saints.
DE Jadeveon Clowney
Sticking with the defensive end position, Clowney, like Jordan, is an aging pass rusher – he’ll play this fall at 33 years old – who can collapse a pocket and still showed the ability to get to the quarterback with 8½ sacks for the Dallas Cowboys last year.
If the Lions add another big end, that would free Onwuzurike up to play more inside, where the Lions have several young sub-package rushers (Mekhi Wingo and 2026 draft picks Tyre West and Skyler Gill-Howard) but little proven depth behind starters Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams.
TE Will Dissly
The Lions missed on the chance to add a tight end in the draft with Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright and Tyler Conklin all on expiring contracts, but my sense is they feel comfortable at the position for 2026 after losing LaPorta and Wright to season-ending injuries last year.
If that changes, Dissly would be the best fit among the tight ends still left in free agency, assuming he’s healthy. Dissly is not the same pass-catching weapon as Jonnu Smith, and he wouldn’t bring the familiarity of Taysom Hill (with Campbell) or Pharoah Brown (with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing), but he’s one of the best run-blocking tight ends in football and did have 50 catches two years ago for the Los Angeles Chargers.
CB Trevon Diggs
I don’t know what Diggs has left in his body after a couple injury-filled seasons. He split his time last year between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers and allowed a passer rating of 154.2, according to Pro Football Reference.
Diggs is a long way removed from the 11-interception season he had in 2021, but at 27 years old, he’s a reclamation project some team will take a chance on this summer. The Lions have Rock Ya-Sin and Ennis Rakestraw waiting in the wings behind starters D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold. I’d take both those players over Diggs. But if they suddenly need more depth at cornerback, Diggs is a better roll of the dice than other available free agents like Marshon Lattimore and L’Jarius Sneed.
NT Daniel Ekuale
The Lions signed Jay Tufele to a minimum deal after the draft to be their backup nose tackle. Tufele made two starts last season for the New York Jets and at 26 years old is younger than anyone on this list. He also missed the end of last season with a foot injury and has a half-sack total in his career.
If the Lions need another option at the nose tackle spot, Ekuale was a part-time player for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year who made 16 starts for the New England Patriots in 2024. He’s a big run stuffer who won’t dent the salary cap and would give the Lions another veteran option behind Williams.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
Detroit — For the eighth time in 10 seasons, the top seed in the Eastern Conference has failed to reach the NBA Finals.
The Detroit Pistons are the latest, after seeing their season end Sunday night with a 125-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in front of a sellout crowd inside Little Caesars Arena.
BOX SCORE: Cavaliers 125, Pistons 94
The Pistons had their poorest performance of the season at a critical moment. Four players scored in double figures, with Daniss Jenkins leading the way with 17 points and five assists.
Cade Cunningham finished with a career-playoff low of 13 points on 5-for-16 shooting, 0-for-7 from behind the arc, to go along with five assists and four rebounds in 37 minutes. Duncan Robinson added 13 points off the bench, while Caris LeVert finished with 11, also off the bench.
Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 26 points, adding eight assists and seven rebounds. However, much of the Cavaliers’ offensive success came from Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill, who each scored 23 points. Merrill shot 5-for-8 from behind the arc, all coming within the first half.
The Cavaliers held a 64-47 halftime lead, and at one point, led by as many as 35 points.
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@cotydavis_24
The Detroit Lions schedule is now officially available to review and examine.
While Dan Campbell’s squad is playing a fourth-place schedule, the ending stretch, which features three division games in four weeks on the road, presents the roster their biggest challenge.
Early in the season, there are opportunities to secure a handful of victories, as the opponents are coming off disappointing 2025 seasons.
Here are four reasons the Lions 2026 NFL schedule can end up being beneficial to Campbell’s squad.
Early portion of schedule is favorable
In the first five weeks, the Lions only play one team, the Buffalo Buffalo Bills, that was able to secure a playoff victory last season.
Detroit opens up against a Saints team that is still in the early phases of a new regime. Campbell should be quite familiar with the Jets and will have the Lions in prime position to take advantage of knowing how Aaron Glenn operates.
The Arizona Cardinals are not favored to win a single game on their 2026 schedule.
Bills game is early in the season
Typically, it takes NFL teams about three to four games to get fully acclimated at the start of a new season.
Buffalo will be still learning how new head coach Joe Brady likes to operate in his new role leading the team.
Facing Buffalo in Week 2 should give Detroit an opportunity to take advantage of any early season woes that are inherent when a team hires new coaches and brings in new players.
Lions have opportunity to win all games at Ford Field this season
Detroit’s first two division games take place at Ford Field. Following an early bye in Week 6, the team faces the Packers and Vikings just before the halfway mark of the season.
The game against the New England Patriots to set to take place in Germany. Detroit’s home slate features many winnable games and will provide fans the opportunity to celebrate after the conclusion of 60 minutes of action.
Lions road schedule is not daunting outside of division games
Detroit will face their fair share of challenges against division rivals. But when the team packs up their bags and heads on the road, they are favored in the majority of road games.
The Bills game is the most challenging on paper, as the Lions are also scheduled to face the Falcons, Cardinals, Panthers and Dolphins away from Ford Field.
For more comprehensive Detroit Lions coverage and NFL insider analysis, follow us on X, @detroitpodcast, head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, follow us on TikTok, subscribe to the Detroit Lions On SI Lone Wolves YouTube Channel.
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