GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 28: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after David Montgomery #5 scored a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter in the game at Lambeau Field on September 28, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions were one of the most dominant teams, if not the most dominant team, in the 2024 season, averaging 33.2 points a game, which led the NFL. The Lions would go 15-2 and earn the one seed in the NFC before being upset by the Commanders in the divisional round, losing 45-31. The Lions still had a fantastic season, winning the most games in a season in franchise history with 15. Quarterback Jared Goff also finished in the top five for MVP voting, and head coach Dan Campbell would finish in the top three in coach of the year voting.
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The offseason would start rough for the Lions, losing both of their coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who both accepted head coaching jobs. The team also lost several players to free agency, like cornerback Carlton Davis, guard Kevin Zeitler and defensive end Za’Darius Smith. The most significant loss, however, was center Frank Ragnow, who retired after seven seasons with the Lions. Ragnow was one of the best centers in the league and was a key part of the dominant offensive line play from 2024.
Despite all the losses, the Lions made sure to reload this offseason. They signed players like cornerback D.J. Reed from the Jets, linebacker Derrick Barnes, defensive end Marcus Davenport and cornerbacks Avonte Maddox and Rock Ya-Sin. The Lions also promoted John Morton to their offensive coordinator and Kelvin Sheppard to their defensive coordinator.
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Heading into the draft, the Lions held the 28th overall pick, which they selected defensive tackle Tyleik Williams out of Ohio State. They also upgraded their offensive line, which lost several starters this last season, drafting guard Tate Ratledge out of Georgia in the second round. They also selected wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa out of Arkansas, guard Miles Frazier out of LSU and Ahmed Hassanein out of Boise State.
The Lions will face numerous obstacles in their quest to return to the one seed in the NFC, given their third-hardest schedule in the NFL, according to Fox Sports. Detroit opens its season vs its division rival, the Green Bay Packers, in Green Bay, and in week two, it plays the Chicago Bears, another division rival. The Lions have to play several playoff teams from last season, including the Packers, Ravens, Chiefs, Vikings, Commanders, Buccaneers, Eagles, Rams and Steelers. Detroit will have to quickly establish a new identity if it wants to replicate last season’s success.
Despite a bumpy offseason, the Lions still have +1100 odds of winning the Super Bowl and +500 odds of winning the NFC Championship for the first time in franchise history. The Lions, however, will open week one as +1.5 underdogs on the road vs the Packers, but are favored in 12 of their 17 games next season.
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