The Detroit Lions narrowly missed out on an opportunity to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. After a strong first half, they collapsed in the second half and ultimately fell 34-31.
Yet, there's plenty of optimism surrounding the organization heading into the 2024 season. So much so, in fact, that ESPN analyst Harry Douglas believes the Lions are the top threat to dethrone the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs.
"When I look at this team and you look at Jared Goff at the quarterback position, he understands what it takes to beat a guy like Patrick Mahomes," Douglas said. "Now, granted, they did it the first game of the year on Thursday night this season. The Chiefs didn't have Travis Kelce, they didn't have Chris Jones, we understand those are two big holes that weren't there. But I'm gonna go back to his days when he was with the Los Angeles Rams and they had that shootout versus Patrick Mahomes and company. So Jared Goff has played Patrick Mahomes a few times in his career, he understands, when you play against a guy like that, how you have to hold the fort down as a quarterback."
The Lions have shown to be an elite offensive team capable of finding ways to win. There are plenty of characteristics that make this team a favorite to contend for a title in 2024.
Top among them is the culture that Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes are building. Since taking over in 2021, the organization has shifted its focus to singular, winning-focused mantra.
"I also love this run game, but we've been talking about a lot today, culture. When I look at the Detroit Lions, starting with their general manager Brad Holmes and their head coach Dan Campbell," Douglas explained. "It's one band, one sound. Everything the Detroit Lions are doing right now, they're moving in unison. I really like that from that football team. If they didn't get allergic to running the football in the second half versus the 49ers or if they just would've held onto the football or converted a few fourth downs, we would talk about them playing in that Super Bowl game."
The Lions currently have among the most available cap space heading into free agency. This could allow them to add big-name free agents or simply retain a plethora of their current talent on expired contracts.
"They have a lot of cap space right now to be able to work with and add to what they have within their puzzle, add more pieces," Douglas stated. "I think they're going to be able to Draft well this season."
Co-host Mina Kimes countered that the Lions face plenty of difficulties when it comes to maintaining the talent level on their roster. However, Kimes acknowledged that the organization is currently in a good spot.
Here are other storylines surrounding the Detroit Lions on March 7.
- The Detroit Free Press examined why Oregon offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson would be a good fit for the Lions in this year's Draft.
- ESPN's Field Yates explained why the Lions could benefit from drafting a wide receiver, via The Detroit News.
The Detroit Lions want to retain linebacker Anthony Pittman. Though the organization is not planing to tender him an exclusive rights free agent contract, they have expressed interest in bringing him back for the 2024 season according to the Detroit Free Press.
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