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The Green Bay Packers officially transferred rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd from the reserve/non-football illness list to injured reserve on Friday.
Green Bay activated Lloyd from injured reserve, but he wound up suffering appendicitis shortly after. He had been out since September with an ankle injury.
Lloyd, 23, was a third-round pick to the Packers out of USC in the 2024 draft. He signed a four-year, $5.8 million rookie deal through 2027 with a base salary of $795k in 2024.
In 2024, Lloyd has appeared in one game for the Packers and rushed six times for 15 yards along with catching one pass for three yards.
More must-reads:
- Browns HC gives troubling Shedeur Sanders update ahead of Eagles game
- Dolphins' Mike McDaniel understands 'very clear' reality amid hot seat rumors
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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5 unexpected Commanders who shocked everyone at training camp
Training camp is officially winding down for the Washington Commanders, but the hard work is just getting started. Dan Quinn and his accomplished staff are trying to ready their players for some testing challenges ahead. The lingering cloud of Terry McLaurin's contract standoff remains, but there have been some pleasant surprises along the way that represent reasons for encouragement. It has not all been smooth sailing. Washington's lackluster showing in the team's preseason opener against the New England Patriots left a sour taste in Quinn's mouth. The respected coach felt like the standards weren't being met, and he let everyone know about it. And it's better to work out the kinks now rather than during the regular season. Adam Peters and Quinn will have a good indication of what the roster could look like in Week 1. There is still time to alter perceptions for those fighting for their future. But for others who've left a surprisingly good impression, all signs are pointing up. With this in mind, here are five unexpected Commanders players who shocked everyone (for differing reasons) at Washington's training camp this summer. Unexpected Commanders players who shocked everyone at training camp Trey Amos - Commanders CB The Washington Commanders felt like they had a steal on their hands when cornerback Trey Amos was available at No. 61 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Adam Peters considered taking the physically imposing defensive back with the No. 29 pick, but went with offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. instead. As luck would have it, the Ole Miss product was still available late in the second. Peters didn't hesitate. And looking at the way Amos has applied himself since joining the Commanders, it's not hard to see why. Dan Quinn and his staff make their rookies earn everything. Whether they are highly touted recruits or undrafted free agents starting from the bottom, everyone gets treated the same. They challenged Amos immediately, giving the player all he could handle. To say it received a positive response would be a huge understatement. Amos has thrived. The Commanders quickly placed him as the starting boundary option opposite Marshon Lattimore in the secondary, and he seized the opportunity with his customary determination. He's not displaying rookie frailties in coverage. He's also more than willing to help against the run, which cannot be said of most cornerbacks who turned out for Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense last season. There was cautious optimism around Amos heading into camp. Now, expectations have gone through the roof. Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB There were several feel-good stories to emerge within the Washington Commanders this summer. Arguably, none were more heart-warming than Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The running back waited a long time before the Commanders came calling at No. 245 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. There's no doubt Croskey-Merritt would have gone much higher, but having his eligibility revoked by the NCAA represented a devastating blow. It was a put-up or shut-up moment for Croskey-Merritt. The player stayed focused and around Arizona's facility to help his teammates. This endeared him to the Commanders during their comprehensive pre-draft assessments, and he's making the most of his big opportunity. Croskey-Merritt is running with the purpose and aggression that saw him take college football by storm. It immediately ruffled some feathers in the running back room, especially considering Kliff Kingsbury began working the rookie into his first-team offense as camp progressed. That is a huge positive for Croskey-Merritt. He's not going to get complacent, but it's hard to ignore the momentum building. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler seem entrenched as the team's starting tandem currently. However, the first-year pro has a shot to become RB3 if the same trend continues over the next fortnight. In this scenario, don't be surprised if Croskey-Merritt features on the offensive rotation sooner than anticipated. Jeremy Reaves - Commanders S The Commanders have always thought a great deal of Jeremy Reaves. He's a respected figure in the locker room and an All-Pro performer on special teams. His energy is infectious, and he's adept at bringing everyone together through the good times and bad. At the same time, Reaves was seen as something of a one-trick pony. The Commanders benefited greatly from his special-teams production, but even the new regime was reluctant to give him opportunities on the defensive rotation. That trend was expected to continue in 2025, but that might not be the case this time around. Joe Whitt Jr. outlined his intent to get Reaves more involved on defense. The coordinator believes that his playmaking ability and instinctive style can be a major asset. He was a man of his word, and the veteran safety is responding positively. Reaves has shone throughout camp. His ferociousness and composure in equal measure have been a breath of fresh air. He's thriving in three-safety sets next to Quan Martin and Will Harris. This is the confidence boost he needed, so expect to see Whitt implement the schematic concept when the situation dictates. Nobody deserves this more than Reaves. Hopefully, this can be the start of bigger things to come. Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB Noah Igbinoghene became something of a forgotten figure in the Washington Commanders' cornerback room this offseason. Two new arrivals with starting credentials, coupled with the return to health of Marshon Lattimore and the ongoing ascension of Mike Sainristil, saw him buried down the depth chart as an afterthought. A big response was needed. Igbinoghene deservedly got a new one-year deal before free agency. He might not ever reach the heights expected as a first-round pick, but his production last season represented a big step in the right direction. The former Auburn standout has put some newly acquired momentum to good use this summer. Not many fans were expecting much from Igbinoghene. However, he's proving his worth not only as a depth piece, but also as someone who can be trusted to log starting reps if needed when the 2025 campaign arrives. Lattimore, Sainristil, and second-round rookie Trey Amos are cemented as the starting cornerback trio. The Commanders will need more if they want to counteract some imposing passing attacks on the schedule, and Igbinoghene is displaying the strides expected. Things looked bleak for Igbinoghene once upon a time this offseason. After improving his consistency and showing the correct resolve in the face of adversity, that's not the case anymore. Ja'Corey Brooks - Commanders WR The Commanders' wide receiver dynamic has been under a cloud throughout the summer. Terry McLaurin is embroiled in a contract battle, with neither side willing to budge. And there are growing concerns that Washington might not have sufficient depth to cope without the second-team All-Pro. Several established veterans are coming in for criticism. However, the reports remain glowing around undrafted rookie Ja'Corey Brooks as he looks for a shocking spot on the 53-man roster. Brooks was a high-priority target for the Commanders once the 2025 NFL Draft concluded. A subpar 40-yard dash time saw his stock slide enough to not hear his name called, but it was evident from early on this offseason that the wideout plays a lot faster. It's not been perfect, but nobody expected it to be. Overall, everyone associated with the Commanders has been pleasantly surprised by Brooks' production and future outlook. He also took this through into a typical game-day setting, bringing in all five of his targets in Washington's preseason opener versus the New England Patriots. Momentum is building around Brooks. At the same time, the Commanders are leaning toward veteran players as Adam Peters embarks on a win-now philosophy. This means it could legitimately still go either way for the Louisville product. More Commanders news and analysis
Big Brawl Ignited By Unexpected Steelers Player As Things Got Heated With Buccaneers
The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a joint practice at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday ahead of the two team's second preseason game on Saturday. The game this weekend won't feature a ton of starters from either side, so the scrimmage was the best opportunity to see what the matchup looked like with both team's starters on the field. Unfortunately, local media was not allowed to report much from the practice session, but it did come out that Pittsburgh struggled on defense, and a little brawl broke out between the two sides at one point. Practices ahead of the season always get heated, and while the Steelers were in Latrobe, the team had its fair share of inter-squad brawls. However, things especially get chippy during joint practices. This has been seen around the NFL going on every week, and most of them have some fireworks. That was the case on Thursday for Pittsburgh, as punter Cam Johnston picked a fight with Tampa Bay during a special teams period. A lot of the special teamers for Pittsburgh got in on the action during practice, as Johnston, Christian Kuntz, and Corliss Waitman all got involved in the brawl. It has been said that Johnston was not happy with how close a defender was to hitting his plant leg on a punt, which is not something you want to see, let alone during a practice period. It is definitely understandable why Johnston would have the reaction that he did during practice on Thursday. It is the same exact scenario that ended his 2024 season during the first game of the year. A blocker was rushed back into him while he was punting, and he suffered major damage to his knee that he has spent the last year rehabbing. He does not want an instance like that happening again, especially not during practice. Johnston finds himself in the middle of a position battle with Waitman, who happens to be the player that was able to pull him out of the fight during practice. Both punters will likely have starting jobs somewhere during the 2025 season, with Johnston being the favorite to stay in Pittsburgh. Waitman filled in nicely in 2024, and he has made a name for himself within punting circles in the league. The organization might look to trade one of the punters, which would probably end up being Waitman due to his lower salary. Steelers Seemed To Struggle In Joint Practice With Buccaneers As mentioned, reporting during practice was not allowed on Thursday, but it seems like Pittsburgh struggled when going up against Tampa Bay, especially in the two-minute drill. The defense had issues dealing with the talented wide receiver room of the Buccaneers, and the offense struggled to get anything going outside of a dominant seven shots period. Things are going to need to improve mightily before the regular season begins at the start of September, because after just one joint practice, this team seems like it might be more of the same of what has been seen in years past. Pittsburgh went all-in on winning during the 2025 offseason as it made significant upgrades on both sides of the football. Those upgrades don't seem to be paying off quite yet, but there is still a ton of time for that to change as the organization prepares for its second preseason game of 2025.
NFL backup quarterback ratings 2025: Assessing all 32 teams
A major injury suffered by a starting quarterback can ruin a season if an NFL team doesn't have a solid backup plan. Ahead of the regular season, which begins Sept. 4, Yardbarker NFL writers rate the backup QB situations of every NFL team on a scale of "1" (dynamic) to "5" (disaster). NFC East DALLAS COWBOYS | Rating: 4 | QBs: Dak Prescott (starter), Joe Milton III, Will Grier | Milton, acquired in an offseason trade with the New England Patriots, was subpar in a Week 1 preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams (17-of-29 for 143 yards, one TD pass and an interception). "I think our plan all along has been that we need to find out about Joe Milton," first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer told the team’s website. The 2024 sixth-rounder must show more for the rest of the preseason for the Cowboys to feel confident about their backup situation. NEW YORK GIANTS | Rating: 3 | QBs: Russell Wilson (starter), Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart, Tommy DeVito | The Giants have assembled one of the league’s more bizarre QB rooms. Winston is much more entertaining than good, just as likely to throw two pick-sixes as 400 yards in a game. DeVito is competent but offers little upside, while 2025 rookie Dart is the wild card and should be the first name called if HC Brian Daboll pulls the plug on Wilson. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Rating: 2 | QBs: Jalen Hurts (starter), Tanner McKee, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Kyle McCord | McKee has made the most of his opportunities, including acing his most recent test in preseason Week 1, finishing a win over the Cincinnati Bengals 20-of-25 for 252 yards and two TD passes. The Eagles should feel confident that he can win games, but they should be skeptical of Thompson-Robinson or McCord. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Rating: 4 | QBs: Jayden Daniels (starter), Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson, Sam Hartman | Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, was fine for the Commanders a season ago, completing 77.3 percent of his pass attempts with four TD passes and no interceptions in three appearances. But let’s be real: Washington will only go as far as Daniels takes it. The backup situation for the Commanders is bleak, with journeyman Johnson and 2024 undrafted free agent Hartman also offering limited upside. — Eric Smithling NFC West ARIZONA CARDINALS | Rating: 4 | Kyler Murray (starter), Jacoby Brissett, Clayton Tune | Brissett has learned from great QBs (Tom Brady and Andrew Luck) and has had success in spurts. He's not a game-changer, but he can keep the Cardinals in games and give a young team stability in case Murray misses time. If Tune plays, though, the season has gone drastically wrong. LOS ANGELES RAMS | Rating: 2 | QBs: Matthew Stafford (starter), Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett, Dresser Winn | The Rams may already be thinking about playing Garoppolo because of Stafford’s lingering back injury. Garoppolo is accomplished, having nearly won Super Bowl LIV for the 49ers. Bennett flashed potential in the preseason opener against the Cowboys while working with second- and third-teamers. Winn is likely suited for a practice-squad role. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Rating: 3 | Brock Purdy (starter), Mac Jones, Carter Bradley | Jones has flourished in his first camp with the team. The 2021 first-round pick looks like he has been operating HC Kyle Shanahan’s system for years and could be the team’s next reclamation project success story. Bradley is just a camp body. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Rating: 3 | Sam Darnold (starter), Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe | Rookie Milroe boosts the ranking, as his stellar speed can directly impact any game. Lock is a serviceable option. The veteran is entering his second stint with the Seahawks. His decision-making is highly questionable, but he is an underrated passer. — Sterling Bennett NFC North CHICAGO BEARS | Rating: 2 | QBs: Caleb Williams (starter), Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, Austin Reed | The Bears have faith in Bagent to keep the offense afloat if Williams misses time. The 25-year-old went 2-2 in four starts in 2023. Chicago might have the best third-string QB in the NFL in Keenum, who has started 66 games and has thrown for 15,175 yards. DETROIT LIONS | Rating: 4 | QBs: Jared Goff (starter), Hendon Hooker, Kyle Allen | Hooker attempted only nine passes in his rookie season in 2024, so who knows if he’s capable of running an NFL offense? As for Allen, he’s 7-12 in 19 starts with 26 TD passes and 21 interceptions, and he’s attempted only one regular-season pass since 2022. GREEN BAY PACKERS | Rating: 2 | QBs: Jordan Love (starter), Malik Willis, Sean Clifford, Taylor Elgersma | Willis stepped in for an injured Love last season and went 2-0 with four total touchdowns and no interceptions. He'll improve as he works more with HC Matt LaFleur. Clifford is a decent third-string option. MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Rating: 3 | QBs: J.J. McCarthy (starter), Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, Max Brosmer | Howell is a solid backup with 18 NFL starts and a gunslinger mentality, but his aggressiveness leads to too many turnovers. If anyone can get the best out of him, it's HC Kevin O’Connell. If Rypien or Brosmer play this season, Minnesota's in trouble. — Jack Dougherty NFC South ATLANTA FALCONS | Rating: 3 | Michael Penix Jr. (starter), Kirk Cousins, Easton Stick, Emory Jones | Cousins flopped in his first season with the Falcons, throwing one TD pass and nine interceptions over his final five starts before being benched for 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. The No. 8 overall pick’s development is crucial for the Falcons, who have little else behind him. Stick was sharp in preseason Week 1, going 15-of-18 for 149 yards and a TD in a loss to the Detroit Lions. CAROLINA PANTHERS | Rating: 3 | QBs: Bryce Young (starter), Andy Dalton, Jack Plummer | Dalton gives the Panthers a veteran presence behind incumbent Young, but is no more than a replacement-level player at this stage of his career. Plummer (no relation to retired former NFL QB Jake Plummer) is a 2024 undrafted free agent who ended his collegiate career as a fifth-year senior at Louisville, where he threw for 3,204 yards while leading the Cardinals to a 10-4 record. He didn’t take a snap during the last regular season. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | Rating: 5 | QBs: Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough, Jake Haener, Hunter Dekkers | The top three QBs on the depth chart (Rattler, Shough, Haener) are in a battle to start. They took turns turning the ball over in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, with Rattler losing a fumble, Shough throwing a pick-six and Haener throwing another interception late in the fourth quarter. Three weeks before the regular season opens, New Orleans might not be any closer to deciding on a starter. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Rating: 4 | Baker Mayfield (starter), Kyle Trask, Teddy Bridgewater, Connor Bazelak | Trask, entering his fourth NFL season, is still an unknown with only 11 career pass attempts, but likely is more confident after a sharp preseason opener. Bridgewater hasn’t taken a regular-season snap since 2022, while Bazelak, a 2025 undrafted free agent after exhausting his college eligibility at six seasons, is practice-squad fodder. — Eric Smithling AFC East BUFFALO BILLS | Rating: 1 | Josh Allen (starter), Mitchell Trubisky, Mike White, Shane Buechele | In Trubisky, the Bills have one of the division's more experienced QBs (57 starts over eight NFL seasons). He and White each threw 13 passes and combined for three TDs in a preseason game against the Giants. Unless the Bills look to dump Trubisky’s $3.2M salary, these two offer Buffalo great depth behind Allen. MIAMI DOLPHINS | Rating: 5 | Tua Tagovailoa (starter), Zach Wilson, Quinn Ewers | Aside from Tagovailoa, Dolphins QBs were abysmal in the team’s first preseason game. Wilson was sacked four times, Ewers went 5-of-18 and neither threw for a TD. Wilson hasn’t taken a regular-season snap since going 4-7 with the Jets in 2023, and Ewers was the last QB taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. Considering Tagovailoa’s extensive injury history, Miami could be in deep trouble if it must turn to a backup. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Rating: 3 | Drake Maye (starter), Joshua Dobbs, Ben Wooldridge | An undrafted free agent, Wooldridge threw for 132 yards and a TD against the Commanders in the first preseason game. Dobbs, a five-year veteran and the NFL’s resident rocket scientist, would get the start should starter Maye miss time. Dobbs lost his only start with the 49ers last season but threw for 2,464 yards in 13 games with the Cardinals and Vikings in 2023 and started two games for HC Mike Vrabel when both were with the Titans in 2022. NEW YORK JETS | Rating: 4 | Justin Fields (starter), Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez, Brady Cook | Taylor made the Pro Bowl after throwing for 3,035 yards and 20 TDs in 14 starts with the Bills in 2015, and has a 28-28-1 record as a starter in 14 seasons in the league. The 36-year-old will miss the preseason while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, but should still have a leg up on undrafted rookies Martinez and Cook. — Bruce Ewing AFC West DENVER BRONCOS | Rating: 3 | Bo Nix (starter), Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger | Stidham had a 1-1 regular-season starting record in his first two seasons with Denver, but looked sharp in its 30-9 preseason win against the San Francisco 49ers. The Baylor/Auburn product went 14-of-15 for 136 yards passing and two TD passes. Ehlinger last started for the Colts in 2022, going 0-3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Rating: 4 | Patrick Mahomes (starter), Gardner Minshew, Bailey Zappe, Chris Oladokun | Minshew flopped with the Raiders in 2024, tossing more interceptions (10) than TD passes (nine) in 10 games. Zappe and Oladokun struggled in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Rating: 2 | Justin Herbert (starter), Taylor Heinicke, Trey Lance, DJ Uiagalelei | Heinicke looked serviceable when playing for the Washington Commanders from 2020-22, going 12-11-1 in 24 starts. Lance, a flop with San Francisco and Dallas, may be improving. The third pick of the 2021 NFL Draft went 20-of-34 for 175 yards passing and two TD passes in his first two preseason games. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Rating: 3 | Geno Smith (starter), Aidan O’Connell, Cam Miller | O’Connell looks like a career backup after logging 3,380 passing yards in 20 games in his first two seasons with the Raiders. However, 2025 sixth-rounder Miller may be an intriguing developmental QB. The former North Dakota State star went 6-of-7 passing for 76 yards and one TD in a 23-23 preseason tie with the Seattle Seahawks, which impressed Vegas head coach Pete Carroll. — Clark Dalton AFC North BALTIMORE RAVENS | Rating: 3 | Lamar Jackson (starter), Cooper Rush, Devin Leary | Rush is a capable backup, but he's a very different QB from starter Lamar Jackson and would require a different offensive approach if he were to play. He threw for 1,844 yards and 12 TDs last season for Dallas when pressed into service for injured starter Dak Prescott. CINCINNATI BENGALS | Rating: 2 | Joe Burrow (starter), Jake Browning, Desmond Ridder | Browning had a solid run in place of Burrow late in the 2023 season and would have a lot of weapons to use in the passing game if pressed into action. He's not a long-term starter, but Cincinnati would be in good hands if he had to start a few games. CLEVELAND BROWNS | Rating: 4 | Joe Flacco (presumptive starter), Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel | Every option, including Flacco, is backup caliber. Even worse, none seems to be a solid option as a backup, too. PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Rating: 2 | Aaron Rodgers (starter), Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Skylar Thompson | Rudolph would not be a great full-time starter, but as a backup, he is as solid as you can get. He has proved capable of winning games (9-8-1 as a starter), has a big arm and is not hesitant to stand in the pocket and make tough passes. — Adam Gretz AFC South HOUSTON TEXANS | Rating: 3 | C.J. Stroud (starter), Davis Mills, Kedon Slovis, Graham Mertz | Mills has not started a game since 2022 but has 26 career starts. (The Texans won just five of those games.) Mills has thrown for 35 TDs but also has 25 interceptions, so ball security is an issue for the 2021 third-round pick. Slovis and sixth-round rookie Mertz are unproven. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Rating: 4 | Daniel Jones (presumptive starter), Anthony Richardson Sr., Riley Leonard, Jason Bean | Jones is favored to win the starting job, but that could change before Week 1. Either way, the Colts will have a backup QB who has extensive starting experience in Jones or Richardson. The problem is neither QB is good, with Richardson having thrown 11 TD passes compared to 13 interceptions in 15 games. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Rating: 4 | Trevor Lawrence (starter), Nick Mullens, John Wolford, Seth Henigan | Mullens has 20 starts on his resume, but the results are poor (5-15 as a starter, 34 TD passes and 31 interceptions). In three starts with the Vikings in 2023, Mullens had eight interceptions. TENNESSEE TITANS | Rating: 5 | Cam Ward (starter), Brandon Allen, Trevor Siemian | With Will Levis out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, the Titans are relying on journeymen to back up rookie Cam Ward. Siemian has extensive starting experience, but most of it came in his first three seasons. He has completed just 58.5 percent of his passes in his career, slightly better than Allen’s 56.7 percent. — Steve DelVecchio
Three NFL teams facing Super Bowl-or-bust expectations in 2025
Saying a team is facing championship-or-bust expectations is a dangerous game. The odds are always stacked against any one team, no matter how talented they are, and every season ends with one team hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy. However, that doesn't stop fans from placing those expectations on their respective teams each year, particularly those with a track record of recent consistent success. Let's take a closer look at three teams that stand out as having that championship-or-bust mentality. Buffalo Bills The Bills are near the top of the Super Bowl-or-bust list. They have been one of the NFL's best teams for the last six years, with quarterback Josh Allen leading the way and a strong defense. Still, Buffalo hasn't been able to break through and reach its first Super Bowl since 1993. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have repeatedly stood in their way. The Bills are searching for their first-ever Super Bowl title. Allen's tenure has seen the second-best stretch of success in franchise history, and if any group is going to get it done, it should be this one. The pressure isn't just on Buffalo as a team; it's also on Allen. Fair or not, quarterbacks are generally measured by rings — Allen needs his. Baltimore Ravens The Ravens are in a nearly identical situation to the Bills. Consistent contender, top-tier quarterback, strong defense and always sky-high expectations, but the Ravens have had even less playoff success in recent years than the Bills have. Baltimore has reached just one conference championship game during Lamar Jackson's career, having won just three total playoff games over the past seven seasons. Their playoff track record does not match the talent level or regular-season success the Ravens have had. Like Allen, Jackson must reach a Super Bowl to fortify his legacy in the NFL, and it's hard to imagine the roster surrounding him getting better than it is now. Detroit Lions The pressure on the Lions isn't quite the same as the Bills or Ravens, mainly because they are a relatively new contender in the NFL. They have made the playoffs two years in a row with their current core and haven't consistently fallen short in the playoffs the way Buffalo and Baltimore have. That doesn't mean expectations shouldn't be high. Not only are the Lions one of the NFL's darlings right now, given head coach Dan Campbell's personality, the creativity of the offense and talent on the roster, but they have been knocking on the door of a championship. They blew a three-score lead in the NFC Championship game two years ago to the San Francisco 49ers. Detroit followed that up by finishing with the NFL's best record in 2024 at 15-2, but did not win a single playoff game, losing 45-31 to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round. The Lions, who have yet to appear in a Super Bowl, have never really had to deal with expectations throughout their history — they are now.
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