After the Detroit Lions’ surprising playoff defeat to the Washington Commanders, Peyton Manning could deeply empathize with head coach Dan Campbell and his team. Manning, who had experienced a similar heartbreak with the 2005 Indianapolis Colts, recalled the Colts’ own crushing 21-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round despite finishing the regular season with a stellar 14-2 record.
Recognizing the sting of such a loss, Manning reached out to Campbell with a text message offering words of support. “I know how you feel, I’ve been there, and it’s tough,” Manning said. “But remember, we came back and won it all the next year. You just keep pushing forward.”
Manning noted that a loss like that could prompt an organization to make drastic changes, but the key is perseverance. “Your organization and owner can decide, ‘Hey, we’re on the right track, let’s keep going,'” he explained.
As Detroit moves forward, even after losing both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets, the focus remains on building for a Super Bowl appearance. General manager Brad Holmes is expected to prioritize defensive improvements, with Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M being a potential target in the NFL Draft.
Manning reflected on how the Colts’ motto the following season was “Finish.” He believes the Lions should adopt that same mindset. “We were knocking on the door and getting close,” Manning recalled. “We were on the right path; just needed to finish stronger.”
