Lions president Rod Wood playful shot at Packers Ahead of Green Bay draft: ‘They’ll finish second,’ or ‘third like they did last year’
Lions President Takes Playful Shot at Packers Ahead of Green Bay Draft
Riding high after back-to-back NFC North titles, Detroit Lions president Rod Wood didn’t hold back while speaking at a draft luncheon Monday, tossing a light jab at division rival Green Bay.
As the NFL prepares to host the 2025 Draft in Green Bay later this week, Wood expressed interest in bringing the event back to Detroit — and threw in a subtle dig for good measure.
“I’m pushing to have the draft return to Detroit because I don’t think anyone else can match what we did,” Wood said, according to reports. “Green Bay won’t come close. At best, they’ll come in second. Or maybe third, like last year,” he joked, referencing the Packers’ 2024 divisional finish.
The comment, made at a Detroit Economic Club gathering, was clearly meant in jest, but it’s unlikely to sit well with Packers fans — many of whom can easily counter with the franchise’s four Super Bowl trophies, a milestone Detroit has yet to reach.
The Lions had an impressive 2024 campaign, going 15-2 and capturing a second straight NFC North crown — a feat they hadn’t achieved since 1952-1953.
Detroit played host to last year’s draft and shattered records, drawing over 775,000 fans across the weekend and more than 275,000 on opening night alone. Green Bay’s tourism board, Discover Green Bay, anticipates roughly 250,000 attendees for this year’s event.
This offseason, Green Bay has found itself in the crosshairs more than once. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson, formerly the Lions’ offensive coordinator, recently made a not-so-subtle dig at Packers coach Matt LaFleur. Now, Wood adds fuel to the rivalry fire.
Ultimately, the real battle will unfold this fall at Lambeau Field — where both teams will have a chance to let their play do the talking.
