An optimist's guide to the 2024 Detroit Lions

After finishing just short of reaching the Super Bowl a season ago, the Detroit Lions enter the 2024 campaign among the favorites to win it all.

Here are three reasons why they'll meet and perhaps surpass expectations.

1. The Lions aren't underdogs anymore 

After going 3-13 in 2021, Dan Campbell's first season as head coach, the Lions showed signs of growth, finishing 9-8 and fighting for a playoff berth the following year. They quickly became lovable underdogs, but now, following the franchise's first trip to the conference championship since 1991, perceptions have changed — and rightfully so. 

On offense, 29-year-old quarterback Jared Goff is in his prime, backed by explosive weapons, including newly extended wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. Meanwhile, a defense that improved from 28th in the NFL to 23rd in 2023 could make another significant jump, led by elite third-year edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and a host of offseason upgrades, especially in the secondary. 

The Lions are no longer a team of overachievers but a budding machine primed to be a contender for the foreseeable future. 

2. Quarterback Jared Goff 

In the NFL, a team's success often hinges on the performance of its quarterback. Fortunately for the Lions, they have Goff, who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career and is poised to make a significant impact in 2024.

Before Goff inked a four-year, $212 million extension with the team in May, the Lions decided not to make many changes on the offensive side of the ball. Aside from moves along the offensive line, the Lions didn't tinker much on that side of the ball, offering continuity for Goff and a unit that proved dangerous in 2023, ranking third in the league.

St. Brown is the stud of the group, and he's happy after receiving a four-year, $120 million contract extension in April. Meanwhile, another year with Goff leading the way could lead to second-year leaps from running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta. At the same time, the endless potential of third-year wideout Jameson Williams might finally come to fruition. 

3. Upgrades in the secondary 

After years of ignoring the problem, Lions general manager Brad Holmes finally addressed one of the team's weakest areas. Last season, Detroit finished 27th against the pass, but with significant upgrades to the secondary, things could change for the better in 2024.

After starting Cameron Sutton and Kindle Vildor for most of 2023, veterans Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson are in at cornerback for the Lions, joining last year's second-round pick, Brian Branch. Meanwhile, Detroit added tremendous, high-upside depth in the draft, selecting Terrion Arnold (No. 24) and Ennis Rakestraw (No. 61).

Davis and Roberston alone would've been a decent haul for the Lions this offseason. But Arnold, considered one of the best available CBs in this year's draft, will immediately vie for a starting spot, while Rakestraw might also push for significant time at nickelback.