After the Lions squandered a 17-point halftime lead in last year’s NFC Championship, coach Dan Campbell told his players, “This may have been our only shot.”
Now, a year later, the Lions exited the playoffs without even reaching the conference championship, and they face significant challenges to ensure Campbell’s warning doesn’t come true.
As highlighted by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions have lost five assistant coaches in just six days since their home loss to the Commanders in the divisional round. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, defensive line coach Terrell Williams, receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett have all departed.
More departures could follow, and replacements are needed. Fortunately, the Lions anticipated the possible promotions of Johnson and Glenn and prepared for the changes. However, 2025 will bring a new dynamic. Will it be better? Or worse?
The roster still boasts considerable talent, though injuries derailed a promising season. After years of struggling to become contenders, the Lions must now navigate the challenges of sustaining success at a high level.
With 22 players set to become unrestricted free agents, other teams—especially Glenn’s Jets and Johnson’s Bears—may pursue some of them. Nevertheless, key players like quarterback Jared Goff, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, tight end Sam LaPorta, most of the starting offensive line, and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson remain under contract. If healthy, the defense should improve in 2025.
Maintaining this roster will be less challenging than building it, but reshaping the coaching staff and navigating a tough 2025 schedule are significant hurdles. The Lions will face 11 games against 2024 playoff teams, including the Vikings and Packers twice, as well as the Chiefs, Eagles, and Ravens. They’ll also face Johnson’s Bears twice and travel to Cincinnati.
For a team that went 15-2 but needed a Week 18 win to secure the division and then fell short in the postseason, the key question remains: can they rewrite the ending next time?
