Lions’ young core just sent a loud message about Detroit’s Super Bowl window

The Detroit Lions have been one of the NFL’s best teams over the last two seasons, going a combined 27-7 in the last two years. Unfortunately, Detroit lost in the NFC Championship back in 2023, and was upset in the Divisional Round in 2024. For fans who have endured years of bad Lions football, there’s a lurking fear that the team won’t capitalize on having one of the most talented rosters in the league and actually get to a Super Bowl.

While that feeling is justified since Detroit missed out on two great opportunities, fans should put that fear to rest for now, because the Lions are built to have many more years of success. That was evident in a recent PFF piece by Jonathon Macri, ranking the 25-best NFL players under the age of 25. Detroit was well represented with five players on the list, including three in the top 10.

That means the Lions just cracked open their Super Bowl window, and they have a young core that should help it stay open for several more years.

Lions have five players ranked in PFF’s top 25 under-25 rankings

Rightfully, Penei Sewell was atop the list. This marks the second straight year where PFF named him as the best player under 25 years old. Unfortunately, his reign will end after this season, because he’ll turn 25 in October. The good news, though, is that he’s just getting started, and will continue to dominate in Detroit for several more years.

The same goes for Brian Branch, who’s ranked eighth on the list. In just two seasons, Branch has quickly established himself as one of the best defenders in the NFL. His versatile ability leads to him making a lot of plays on the field, and that’s the reason he’s in the top 10 of the best young players in the league.

Not far behind Branch is his Alabama teammate Jahmyr Gibbs, who rounds out the top 10 of the list at 10. Anyone who has watched a Lions game or plays fantasy football knows Gibbs’ case speaks for itself. The running back is a big-play waiting to happen, whether he gets a handoff or is on the receiving end of a pass.

The other two Lions on the list are tight end Sam LaPorta, ranked 23, and safety Kerby Joseph ranked 25. That gives Detroit five elite players under the age of 25, and it doesn’t even account for other talented young players like Terrion Arnold and Jameson Williams, or Amon-Ra St. Brown and Aidan Hutchinson, who will both be 25 when the season starts. All in all, the Lions have a young core that should keep them in the mix for a Super Bowl for several more years.

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