Lions' weirdest changes could swing them from contenders to disappointments

The Detroit Lions moved on from two key coordinators this offseason, with Ben Johnson leaving for the Chicago Bears' head coach vacancy and Aaron Glenn departing for the New York Jets' head coaching job. It was a big move for the Lions, especially as both coaches had helped to get the Lions to within just one game of the Super Bowl back in 2023.

Without them in the fold, some have wondered in media whether Detroit can be counted on to be as dominant as they have been for the last two seasons. A 15-2 record in 2024 is going to be hard to replicate without their respective play calling. But, the one key to these changes that those same pundits have not been acknowleding is the Lions' consistent roster through these last few seasons.

They didn't lose Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, or David Montgomery. Neither did they lose Kerby Joseph, Amik Robertson, Terrion Arnold, Aidan Hutchinson, or Brian Branch. They've retained their key starters for 2025, and they won't have suddenly forgotten how to play cohesive team football as a result of Johnson and Glenn's departure.

Lions aren't going to lose a step because of Johnson or Glenn leaving

Detroit seems like a desirable enough destination for coaches like Glenn and Johnson, but when you've got the opportunity to spread your wings as the head coach of an organization in need, you take it. That's why they cannot be faulted for leaving.

What can be faulted is the jump to concluding that the Lions will both win less games than they did in 2024, and potentially miss out on the NFC North title altogether. ESPN's Bill Barnwell projects this to be the case, but to be fair, his reasoning is valid: a mix of a change at OC and a new center, Detroit could see some regression from their engine in Goff.

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"Coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes deserve some benefit of the doubt based on their success, but it's fair to be nervous that a line with two inexperienced starters and three players in new spots will take some time to jell, if not struggle notably," wrote Barnwell.

If the Lions find themselves losing any momentum headed into the 2025 season, as Barnwell notes, it'll come from the offense's blunders, if any. A brand new line set to protect Goff feels like a huge gamble to be taking, and it's likely to need time to adjust. However, a healthy defense should and could carry them past those early season struggles on the part of the offense.

If they don't find their footing against a fairly tough schedule to begin the year - the second toughest schedule in the NFL, per Tankathon - then regression could be on the table for Detroit. But, don't expect it to be too drastic, and don't anticipate it to be all because of Johnson and Glenn's departures.

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