The Detroit Lions are entering the new NFL season with a point to prove after a painful playoff exit earlier this year. In January, they suffered a crushing defeat at home in the NFC Divisional Round against the Washington Commanders—cutting short what many hoped would be a Super Bowl run.
Still, despite falling short, the Lions aren’t dwelling on disappointment. Instead, they’re using it as fuel. Veteran running back David Montgomery believes this season will be different—and he’s calling it the “Year of Reckoning.”
Over the past few seasons, Detroit has made significant strides. In 2023, they reached the NFC Championship and even led the San Francisco 49ers 24-7 at halftime. But they ultimately fell short. That “almost” has haunted the team, and Montgomery says it’s no longer acceptable to settle for being close.
“We’ve had enough of nearly getting there. It felt good at first, but nobody wants to be remembered for just falling short,” Montgomery said during an interview with Will Burchfield of 97.1 The Ticket. “This is the year we finish the job.”
Montgomery Motivated to Make Impact
As the 2025 season approaches, Montgomery isn’t just focused on team success—he’s got something to prove personally. Speaking with ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, he explained that he feels overlooked in the offense and is eager to remind people of what he brings to the table.
“I’m not out here trying to silence critics—I’m here to affirm what I already know about myself,” Montgomery said. “This is the most motivated I’ve ever been. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder and I’m ready to show what I’m capable of as both a player and teammate.”
Detroit’s roster is filled with promising young talent and growing postseason experience. The franchise and its fans believe a championship is within reach—and they won’t have to wait long to watch their team chase it. The Lions open their preseason on July 31 against the Los Angeles Chargers in Canton, Ohio, as part of the Hall of Fame Game.
