The Detroit Lions came as close as ever this season to making their first Super Bowl. Coach Dan Campbell said in the aftermath of the NFC title game loss to the 49ers that it is very unlikely this team makes it this far again based on how this league goes about things. After some critical personnel decided to stay in Detroit, and with their salary cap situation looking more positive than ever, perhaps Campbell was a tad critical.
In the wake of the Chiefs’ second straight Super Bowl win, the “NFL on Fox Podcast” discussed this week who the top teams are heading into the new season. They mentioned the Chiefs and 49ers at the top, which makes sense, but they threw in the Lions as their third-best team.
Your way-too-early Top 10 teams 😎 pic.twitter.com/CusIGPlBM1
— NFL on FOX Podcast (@NFLonFOXPod) February 12, 2024
Campbell has shown he can be one of the best coaches in the league and can build a more-than-capable staff. Both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn could have left for head coaching jobs elsewhere but instead decided to stay in the Motor City to build something special.
Quarterback Jared Goff is returning for his fourth year with the team. The offense looks to be ready to keep growing, led by running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. The defense, led by edge rusher Aidan Hutchison, is taking the necessary steps to get better.
With the right offseason moves by GM Brad Holmes, this team could easily jump past the 49ers in terms of expectations for next season.