Everything Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have built since arriving nearly three and a half years ago has been to get to this point right now.
Their team has not only met but far exceeded the lofty expectations set a year ago, the concept is proven, they have coaching staff who stayed in Detroit to achieve this goal despite being lured away by other teams, and they have a young, dynamic, talented roster. NFLSince their success in January, they’ve added a veteran cadre to their roster who is hungry to win and wants to win for the city.
these Detroit LionsOn paper, they have everything it takes to win a Super Bowl. that about this Franchise.
But that’s where we are now, and then training camp opens this week in Allen Park, Michigan, before the road to New Orleans begins.
Here’s what to watch in the coming weeks:
Future story
Will Detroit’s success continue in a straight line?
Success in this league is often not linear. That’s what makes the Lions’ accomplishment so impressive. The Lions have made remarkable progress in each year of Dan Campbell’s tenure. From 3-13-1 to 9-8 to 12-5 to an appearance in the NFC Championship Game has been steady and impressive growth for a franchise that was anything but smooth sailing for so many years. It’s a testament to Sheila Hamp, Chris Spielman, Campbell, Holmes and the rest of the guys who got this team to this point, but the work isn’t done. The Lions’ goal is now clear. It starts with winning the division, but that might be harder than it was last year. Packers Looks like a threat, Bears They’re on the rise. They should aim for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. And if all goes according to plan, Campbell will be eating his enchilada in February.
Going deeper
Jack Campbell Overcomes Development Challenges to Take His Game to the Next Level
How will the Lions handle the target on their backs?
The Lions were the favorites to win the NFC North going into the 2023 season, but they hadn’t accomplished anything yet. The pride of winning the division belongs to Minnesota, and the Lions hadn’t hoisted a championship banner in 30 years. Of course, last season changed all that and elevated the Lions as the team to beat. The team managed to turn a good roster into a strong one, but they will now face a No. 1 schedule and a tougher division. The Packers are 49ers They have a good chance to make the NFC Championship, but they remain one of the youngest in the league. The Bears have an offensive line that includes No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and No. 9 pick Caleb Williams, and a developing defense. Rome OdunzeStar WR Keenan Allen RB and D’Andre Swift. Viking Stay competitive Kirk Cousins Last year’s NFC North division is looming over the Lions, so they need to be ready.
Is this the last dance for Campbell’s closest aides?
We’ve been wondering for years when Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn would leave Detroit. And they’ve stayed in their OC and DC positions for years. That kind of continuity is rare in the NFL. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Campbell coordinators stay in Detroit. They love it here. But it seems like it’s only a matter of time before the band breaks up. Things might be different in a year, and if they do, winning this year will be even more important with a team that’s good enough to do it.
Will the new secondary be enough to propel the defense?
With a team that’s one game away from the Super Bowl, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel when the core members are back. The offense, led by Goff and Johnson, should remain one of the best in the league. But what about defense? Glenn’s teams have improved in several areas, most notably the run defense, which ranked second in the league in yards allowed per game. But the pass defense was a major drag in both the regular season and the playoffs. With some new faces, they could get back to the man-to-man defense that Glenn wants, but the results will be key.
Featured Players
WR Jameson Williams: You can’t talk about players to watch without mentioning Jameson Williams. This season is the most important one yet for Williams as he will have a bigger role in 2024. In terms of pure fit, Williams has everything the Lions need in this offense. He’s the perfect complement. Amon Ra Saint Brown and Sam Laporta In the passing game, his deep threat ability allows others to have opportunities underneath and vice versa. The spring showed a more focused Williams working with the first-team offensive line, so it will be exciting to see what happens in training camp.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker: Jared Goff He’s been a steady player during his time with the Lions, but when you’re in the running to be a championship contender, you have to think about these things. The Lions need to have a capable backup ready in case Goff is out for a while, and they’re turning to Hooker, a third-round pick in 2023, to fill that role. Hooker has natural skill and maturity beyond his years, but he faced growing pains as he worked on his footwork in the offseason. The hope is that he’ll be able to play more smoothly in August, but we won’t know until the preseason games begin.
lb Jack Campbell: Campbell, the 18th pick in the 2023 draft, didn’t see immediate success like some of the other rookies in his class, but coaches have raved about him this offseason. He’s considered a “grown man” for the way he controls the huddle. This will be his first full season as a Green Dot Mike linebacker, but if he can make the leap, this defense will follow.
David Brian Branch: It’s only taken one year, but Branch is one of the Lions’ most valuable defenders. He settled in nicely at nickel a year ago, but there’s a chance he’ll play more frequently as a safety in 2024. How much remains to be seen, but where he spends most of his time will have a ripple effect on the rest of the secondary.
Rookie Terrion Arnold is expected to compete for the starting cornerback spot. (Carlos Osorio/Associated Press)
Newcomer Report
CB Therion Arnold: The Lions’ move up to No. 24 to acquire Arnold seemed inevitable as the first round dragged on. He fits everything the Lions want in a cornerback perfectly: competitive drive, confidence and man coverage ability. It may take him a while to get there, but he’s the best cornerback prospect the Lions have acquired since Holmes and Campbell joined the team. He’ll compete for a starting spot.
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: If Arnold is the No. 1 cornerback prospect, Rakestraw is No. 2. In fact, Rakestraw was the team’s second-highest ranked cornerback behind Arnold this April. The two have different personalities, Arnold is flashier and Rakestraw is a bit more reserved, but both are top-tier on the field. Detroit’s front office was surprised to see Rakestraw still available at No. 61 and even considered trading up. That should tell you how they feel about Rakestraw. Rakestraw has been spotted playing at the nickel position this spring and this may be his quickest path to playing time, if not as a regular starter.
Office Lady Giovanni Manu: This is truly a development year for Manu. He has the size, length, mobility, power, all the things that can help him, but he has to learn how to hone it in the NFL. The Lions traded a 2025 third-round pick and went into the fourth round to get Manu, which is proof that they believe in his potential. The plan is to cross-train Manu at tackle and guard and have him sit on one of the best offensive lines in the league. With that in mind, expectations should be kept minimal in Year 1, and maybe Year 2 as well. He needs time.
R.B. Sione Vaki: If you followed Vaki’s story before the draft, it would have been hard not to feel like he was a good fit for the Lions. He played safety and running back in college and is a hard-working athlete who could do the same in the NFL, so the Lions are going to use him at running back and see how he develops. After seeing him in OTAs, it felt like the right move. He’s a natural talent with the ball in his hands, and his college footage as a rusher showed he’s a guy who doesn’t go down on first contact. That’s really valuable for a team that runs the ball like the Lions do, and he could be a special teams weapon. He’s a fun guy to watch.
DL Mekhi Wingo: A sixth-round pick out of LSU, Wingo was viewed by several draft experts as a potential top-100 pick. He’s undersized (6-foot-6, 291 pounds) but a strong interior pass rusher, and the Lions believe he can play on the edge, so don’t be surprised to see him in the rotation early on.
original Christian Mahogany: Another sixth-rounder who was rated a fourth-rounder by many in the pre-draft phase, Mahogany looks like a pro. He was a four-year starter at Boston College. He’s competitive and can be mean in the game. His favorite player growing up was Larry Allen, which is why he wears the number 73. He seems like the kind of guy who’ll be a starter for 10 seasons.
Going deeper
Lions Mailbag: Has he improved since last season, who will be the starter at cornerback, who has made good statements?
Position battle to monitor
WR3: We know St. Brown and Williams will start, but who will join them? The early favorites are Donovan Peoples-Jones and Antoine GreenAnd the reason the Lions won’t add a veteran before the end of camp is because they’re confident one of those two will take their place. Kaliph Raymond This decrease may result in increased usage. Josh Reynolds. perhaps Jameel Gibbstoo.
corner: The Lions felt they needed more players on the wing and brought in some familiar faces. Marcus DavenportCampbell and Glenn know Davenport from his time in New Orleans, but it’s been a long time since he was a standout player. He had a breakout season in 2021 that made him a household name, but he’s been plagued by injuries since then and hasn’t been able to replicate that magic. If he’s healthy, he’ll probably be your opposite starter. Aidan Hutchinsonbut don’t leave out the third graders Josh Pascal.
secondary: The secondary could have some moving parts, so it’s worth discussing the entire back end. Carlton Davis III has secured the starting spot at outside corner, but there is competition at other positions. If Branch stays at nickel full-time, we could see competition between Arnold and any free-agent additions. Amick Robertson In the seat next to Davis, probably Rakestraw. Emmanuel MoseleyRobertson will also be in the mix after returning from a torn ACL, but it’s feeling a bit like Arnold vs Robertson at this point.
If Branch were to move to safety more frequently, the nickel position would suddenly become open, with Robertson becoming the obvious front-runner for the position, and Rakestraw potentially filling in if Robertson struggles. In that scenario, Arnold and Davis would likely be deployed on the outside, Robertson at nickel and Branch at safety. Kirby Joseph and Ifetu Melifonwu There are two starting safeties in the NFL, but one has to be benched, and the Lions value Joseph’s ball-winning ability as the center fielder for this defense and will likely take him early.
Kicker: The kicking competition is back in Detroit this year, but this is the most anticipated competition yet. Michael Badgley He is an incumbent and has been with the organization since 2022. Jake Bates — A fan favorite from his time with the UFL Michigan Panthers, Badgley has a range of 60+ yards. Whether the Lions rely on Badgley’s reliability inside 50 yards or Bates’ range beyond that will determine how the Lions fare in some big decisions this year.
(Top photo of Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams: Gregory Schamus/Getty Images)
