5 reasons to be optimistic about the Detroit Lions in 2025

Every year, about this time, we like to set the table before training camp begins and talk about the five things that have us optimistic about the Detroit Lions and the five things that have us pessimistic about the Lions. 

Let's start off with the good stuff. Here are the five things that have us optimistic about the Lions this year. 

All the weapons are still here

Yeah, Ben Johnson is gone, and that has some people scared, but Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and David Montgomery are still here. On top of that, Isaac TeSlaa brings something to the table that the Lions haven't had before in a receiver who can get the contested catch and high point in the end zone. 

The defense is better than it was last year, and that's saying something

Last year, the Lions had one of the best defenses in the NFL. I know some will refuse to believe that based on the way the year ended, but this group was really good. They were second in defensive DVOA going into Week 12 before Za'Darius Smith even touched the field. 

This defense got better if you ask me. They get Hutchinson back, and that's obviously the big one, but the addition of D.J. Reed is an upgrade over Carlton Davis, Avonte Maddox is a nice addition to the safety room, and the interior of the defensive line is really good. They'll only get better when Alim McNeill comes back. 

Then Ahmed Hassanein is primed to shock some people, and if Marcus Davenport can stay healthy, that's a big if, I know. He's a great player when healthy. 

 The Lions are about to unleash Gibbs

Jahmyr Gibbs had an insanely good season last year, where he put up 1,929 total yards and 20 total touchdowns. Why am I using the word "unleash" here? Seems like he's already been unleashed. It's because the Lions seemed to do a lot of work that points towards Gibbs being the lead dog and possibly the most important part of this offense outside of Goff. 

The hiring of TaShard Choice as their new running backs coach was big. Choice helped Gibbs get on the map at Georgia Tech before he transferred to Alabama. Then there's moving Scottie Montgomery from running backs coach to receivers coach to get these guys to block even more. On top of it all, John Morton says he doesn't plan to change the offense much, and that means there's going to be a continuation of being a run-first team. 

There are some really nice benefits in the schedule

Make no mistake, this schedule is going to be tough, but there are some really nice benefits in there. Stuff like the Lions are only going to have one outdoor game in the winter, and the Lions are going to be the most well-rested team in the NFL. That stuff really matters. 

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes

Yes, this team lost a lot of coaches this offseason, but the only thing that really matters is that they retained the two guys who are the most responsible for this team being where it's at right now. With that comes the understanding that this culture doesn't change, and the way the team builds and maintains doesn't change. This is probably the top reason to be optimistic.