The Detroit Lions are in a championship window following their run to the NFC Championship Game in 2023. Their 2024 prospects are high among those in the media. But what about after 2024? Are the Lions set to keep their championship aspirations?
ESPN seems to think so based on their recent future power rankings based on rosters, coaching staff and front office.
The Lions checked in at No. 4 on the list.
Reason for hope: The Lions may eventually lose offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to a head coaching job, but it hasn’t happened yet — which is selfishly good for Dan Campbell and Detroit’s offense. The team spent a lot this offseason, but it now has key players (including receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell) secured for the long term. And the culture that Campbell has built here has already resulted in an NFC Championship Game appearance and has the arrow pointing up. — Dan Graziano
There were some concerns brought up, too,
Reason for concern: General manager Brad Holmes did everything he could to fix a secondary that gave up way too many explosive plays last season, and Terrion Arnold and Carlton Davis III will make an impact there. But I still have many doubts about which pass rusher will support third-year defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Hutch has 21 sacks over his first two seasons combined but has had little help. Detroit was 27th in PRWR in 2023, and Marcus Davenport (signed this offseason) has never played a full season in his six-year career, so I’m not counting on the production to come from him. — Louis Riddick
Nugget to know: Last season, the Lions were the fourth-youngest defense in the NFL based on snap-weighted age (25.5). This year, they project to be the youngest defense based on the average age of the 12 starters (including both base and nickel defenses) at 25.3. Linebacker Alex Anzalone is the only projected starter over 28, and four projected starters are still under 24. — Aaron Schatz
Not only are the Lions very high on this list and already in the Super Bowl mix, they are the highest ranked NFC team. The Philadelphia Eagles came in right behind the Lions at No. 5 with the San Francisco 49ers at No. 7.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills were the only teams ranked above the Lions.
Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell were signed to extensions this offseason as the Lions kept some of the core of their roster locked up for the next few years during their Super Bowl window.
The window is open and the future is bright in Detroit.