After the bitter playoff defeat against the Washington Commanders, the Detroit Lions are facing a complete overhaul. Head coach Dan Campbell has to draw the right conclusions – on and off the pitch.
With a 31-45 defeat, the Detroit Lions bowed out of the race for the Super Bowl in the Divisional Round.
The elimination is a rude awakening after the dreamlike high-altitude flight of Head Coach Dan Campbell’s team. In the regular season, Detroit marched through the NFC with 15 wins and celebrated the top seed. Now the abrupt end. Dream and nightmare – so close together.
For Campbell and the Lions, a crucial offseason lies ahead, in which the franchise will have to answer many questions on and off the field.
Under Campbell’s leadership, coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn have long since matured into top performers. Other teams now want to reap the rewards of their success.
Both coaches are likely to be at the top of many teams’ head coaching wish lists.
Johnson’s name has been circulating through the rumor mill for several seasons; he is considered one of the top candidates and likely has several options on the table.
Glenn has also already been interviewed by five teams.
Lions: Talent loss on the sidelines looming
Johnson is considered the head of the top offense. Several players have already developed into stars under his tutelage, and Detroit is at the top in almost every important offensive category.
Glenn scores particularly highly with his experience. The defense was able to repeatedly mask talent deficits and deliver important blows.
The development of numerous young players, both from the first and second lines, is also positive.
So it’s quite possible that Campbell will have to make changes to his sideline staff in the coming season. The loss of two coordinators could put a stop to the Lions’ consistent upward trend.
Finding successors for Johnson’s offensive ingenuity and Glenn’s defensive experience will be a major feat.
Lions: Question mark over Jared Goff
Campbell also has to make some decisions on the field. The contracts of several key players, such as guard Kevin Zeitler, cornerback Carlton Davis and defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike, are expiring.
However, Detroit has enough cap space to be able to wave through extensions. The debate surrounding quarterback Jared Goff will be more exciting. The 30-year-old is being handsomely paid in Detroit.
Goff has long since developed from an outcast Rams QB to one of the faces of the Lions’ rise. At the same time, he occasionally falls back into old patterns, making four turnovers in the playoff game against the Commanders.
“That was just crappy. I wish I could have played a little better. (…) If I had done that, we would have had a better chance of winning,” he said after the game.
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There is no doubt that Goff can push the buttons on Johnson’s offensive machine, but how he will fare if the offensive guru leaves remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: Goff is not one of those elite quarterbacks who can single-handedly lead his team to success.
However, the bond with Goff stands in the way of a possible quarterback discussion. The veteran’s contract still has several seasons left on it, there are no obvious alternatives in the roster, and finding a potential upgrade in the NFL Draft would require both risk and a lot of capital.
“I’ll have plenty of time to look at everything closely, think about it and find a solution. How can we improve? What do we need to fix? The ‘what’, the ‘why’, the ‘how’, everything,” Campbell said after the game.
In the coming weeks, the head coach will set the course for the new season. And hope that the train will continue on the road to success. Possibly with old acquaintances and new faces.
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