The Detroit Lions finally restored the roar to the dome. While other Detroit teams have disappointed, the Lions are standing tall and proud.
Coming off of an appearance in the NFC Championship in 2023, the team has expectations for the first time in years. They won their first division title since 1991. They’ve also had an incredibly busy offseason that sets up their championship contention window.
Head Coach Dan Campbell has done a job in Detroit that not many others could have done. He came in as a rookie coach and revived a dead franchise. He did it by establishing a culture built on “Grit” which has become as much of a lifestyle as a catchy tagline for the team.
Going into the 2024 season, the Lions had a solid draft that addressed their needs. They also paid some of their best players to lock down their core. They’re potentially taking the steps needed to ensure that the city of Detroit can see its first Super Bowl team in team history.
How will they fare this season?
Detroit Lions Have Locked Down Key Players
The Detroit Lions came into the offseason looking to lockdown their best players after making their first NFC Championship appearance since 1991. In that regard, the offseason has been a rousing success. The Lions will not have to worry about losing any of their core members in 2024.
Amon Ra St. Brown is one of the best wide receivers in the league and was compensated with a four-year contract paying him $120 million. Quarterback Jared Goff revived his career in Detroit after being traded from the Los Angeles Rams and was given a new deal that made him the second-highest-paid player in the league. Right Tackle Pennei Sewell is one of the best in the league and was rewarded with a new contract as well.
The Lions knew that they needed to lock down their best players to make sure that the core of the team stayed together. The organization has to be thrilled with making the NFC Championship, but best believe that Head Coach Dan Campbell has higher expectations. Nobody is sleeping on the Detroit Lions anymore.
With these key players under contract, the Detroit Lions have officially opened their title contention window. They are looking to be one of the big players in the NFC title picture. They went head-to-head with the 49ers in Santa Clara last year and could have won, and they are looking for revenge this season.
Detroit Lions Had A Great Draft Class
The Lions came out of the 2024 NFL Draft as big-time winners. They had obvious holes that they needed to fill in their secondary. They addressed that immediately in the first and second rounds with draft picks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Terrion Arnold was seen as the top cornerback in this draft and somehow fell to the Detroit Lions at the 24th overall pick, which was acquired in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys. Ennis Rakestraw Jr fell out of the first round due to his injury history but was incredibly productive when healthy in college. Another interesting pick was Giovanni Manu, an offensive tackle from British Columbia.
Rakestraw Jr and Arnold have the potential to start on day one. The Lions needed cornerbacks and the two rookies can make an impact to start their careers. The Lions’ pass defense in 2023 was notably abysmal, and there is hope that this draft class can be as productive as their previous draft classes.
The Detroit Lions have the makings of a team that can potentially be a perennial playoff team. Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn might’ve had a rough secondary last season to work with, but there are no excuses this season. Terrion Arnold in particular could be the steal of the 2024 NFL Draft.
A Tough Schedule Lies Ahead
This season, the Detroit Lions have to play against some heavy hitters. There are going to be some important rematches and chances for revenge. Some familiar faces will be stepping forward to challenge the Lions this season.
The Rams will be looking for payback after being eliminated by Detroit last season in the playoffs. The Lions also have to go on the road and play in Santa Clara against the 49ers in an NFC Championship rematch. The Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also on the schedule, two of the Lions’ biggest opponents from the 2023 season.
The NFC North as a whole has also gotten better, with the Chicago Bears adding first-overall pick quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze. The Minnesota Vikings will also look to bounce back with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Green Bay Packers might be the biggest threat though, having further loaded up their playoff team with players like running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney.
No football games are easy wins. The famous phrase is that on “any given Sunday, any team can win.” Everybody is looking to be the team to knock the Detroit Lions back down, which will be easier said than done.
About the Author
Alex is a writer at Total Apex Sports and Total Apex Gaming. He’s a loyal fan of many teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco Giants. You can find him on X at @alex_furtotti
