The Detroit Lions enjoyed their most successful season in years, but their early playoff exit left lingering disappointment. While the team made significant strides, the aftermath of that success came with consequences, as several assistant coaches were poached for higher positions. The core roster remains intact, as does head coach Dan Campbell, keeping the hope of a potential Super Bowl window open, though it may be closing gradually without a championship to show for it.
Following their Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders, the blame was spread around. Some criticized now-departed coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, suggesting that their focus on head coaching interviews hindered their preparation for the playoff game. Quarterback Jared Goff also came under scrutiny for his poor performance in the game, though his overall strong season shouldn’t be overshadowed by these missteps.
Looking ahead, the Lions face a financial challenge as several key players are due for lucrative contracts, especially with Goff’s cap hit set to skyrocket in 2026. While restructuring could alleviate some of this burden, it may become difficult to keep all deserving players under the salary cap. Goff’s play in critical games has reignited concerns about whether he can lead the Lions to a Super Bowl, raising the question of his long-term ceiling as the team’s quarterback.
As Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report noted, “The Lions have too much talent not to bounce back in 2025, but the conclusion to 2024 leaves you wondering if they can really make a Super Bowl run with Jared Goff leading the offense.” The uncertainty about Goff’s ability to guide the team to a championship is now one of the most pressing questions for the franchise. While many remain optimistic, there’s an underlying fear that the answer could ultimately be ‘no.’
