Heading into 2025, the Detroit Lions are no longer a feel-good underdog story—they’re a legitimate Super Bowl contender. After a 2024 campaign that ended in heartbreak just shy of the Super Bowl, expectations have shifted dramatically. Anything short of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy will feel like a disappointment.
The core of this team remains intact. Despite the departure of both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn—both landing head coaching jobs—head coach Dan Campbell has retained the locker room’s respect and intensity. New coordinators face high expectations, but they’re inheriting one of the league’s most well-rounded rosters. In fact, Pro Football Focus recently ranked the Lions as the NFL’s third-most complete team, behind only the 49ers and Chiefs.
At quarterback, Jared Goff has found career stability in Detroit, showing leadership and precision in key moments. The offensive line is elite, anchored by Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow, providing a fortress for a dynamic offense that includes stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. On defense, Aidan Hutchinson continues to ascend as one of the league’s top pass rushers, while the additions in the secondary through free agency and the draft have added much-needed depth and speed.
But talent alone won’t be enough. The Lions now must prove they can win when it matters most—deep in January. With the NFC North now theirs to lose and a conference that feels more open than it has in years, the stage is set. Detroit’s window is wide open, and the pressure is on. If the Lions fall short, 2025 could be seen as the year they missed their best shot. But if they deliver, it will mark the franchise’s long-awaited arrival as an NFL powerhouse.
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