The Future of the Detroit Lions: Is it finally their year?
“We are coming, and when I say we’re ‘coming,’ we are trying to prove everyone wrong, and we are going to show the world, the NFL, and anybody else in the way that you know we are here.” - Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs
The Detroit Lions have been a part of the NFL since 1932, back when they were known as the Portsmouth Spartans. Although they have been around for more than 90 years, they are the only team in NFL history that has been around for all 57 Super Bowls and never played in a single final game. Despite their legendary historic players such as Barry Sanders and Bobby Layne, the Lions playoff drought has become one of the most infamous reputations in all of professional sports, and is the very thing that defines this unlucky franchise.
However, in this past 2022-2023 season, the Lions just barely missed out on the playoffs, going 9-8 after an original 1-6 record after acquiring Rams quarterback Jared Goff. This surprise turnaround brought around feelings of hope and optimism for Lions fans everywhere, and with some of the off-season moves this franchise has been making, there seem to be even more reasons for fans to get excited. So is it finally the Detroit Lions year after decades and decades of defeat?
It would be wrong not to acknowledge the fact that the Lions did win 4 NFL Championships between 1935-1957, but that was all before the Super Bowl era in football began. The Lions have only ever won a singular Super Bowl playoff game in their entire existence, back in 1991 with Barry Sanders. The last time Detroit won their division was 1994, and they’ve made the playoffs only three times in the past 20 years, being eliminated immediately all three times in the first round. Many blame the team's misfortune on their lack of reliable coaches, bad wide receivers, and even worse defenders.
All this being said, the 2022-2023 season and postseason roster changes all point to the Lions moving in the right direction. Their 9-8 record from this past season should not be overlooked, as they barely missed the playoffs. This would have been their first playoff appearance since 2016 when they lost to the Seahawks in the first round. In addition, they have recently picked up safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Cameron Sutton. All are somewhat seasoned players that many think will be dominant with the Lions.
Furthermore, they drafted Jack Campbell in the first round of the 2023 Draft, a 6 '5 linebacker who won Defensive Most Valuable Player of the Year in 2021, leading the FBS in tackles with 143. In addition, the team introduced their new defensive assistant, John Fox, new defensive line coach John Scott Jr, and new senior offensive assistant Jim Hostler.
The Lions are a historic all-American team that have been actively part of the NFL since 1934, growing and evolving with the league. Their past records may not be exceptional, impressive, or even really good at all, but they are certainly a testament to the lasting impact of the NFL. Detroit has been a football city since the 30s, and it looks like it might finally be their turn to experience some love from the league. Get ready for the first game of the 2023-2024 season at Arrowhead Arena, where the Lions will face the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs team, because as Jerry Jacobs said, “It’s time to show what Detroit is made of.”