The path, suddenly and surprisingly, yet unquestionably, has been paved for the Lions in 2023.
Merely reaching the playoffs as a wild card entry would be disappointing. A single win over a mediocre wild card team would represent an empty achievement. Given the sorry state of the NFC North and the conference as a whole, the expectation should be the Lions’ first home playoff game since moving to Ford Field. That suggests anticipating a meaningful playoff victory to advance deep into the playoffs, which the Lions haven’t done since many reading this were either not born or too young for cognitive memory.
It starts with winning the division.
But because the Lions’ rebuild under general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell has been dramatically accelerated by two exceptional drafts and weakened competition, doesn’t mean the Lions should divert much from their original plans.
The Lions remain a work in progress. Yes, they should be contenders in ’23, but it must be in conjunction with planning for 2024 and beyond. That means not overpaying for free agents, but filling holes in a cap-wise manner, and accumulating depth. The Lions can’t afford to fall into the trap of drafting for immediate need at the sake of leaving better players on the board.
The goal, too, should be signing free agents anticipating they can play effectively beyond 2023.
The beauty of the Lions’ growth is it being organic. At rock bottom following the Bob Quinn-Matt Patricia disaster, the Lions had a plan. It wasn’t unique, by any means. Moving veteran assets, clearing cap space and accumulating draft capital is about as common as it gets when building from ground zero.
But executing such a plan is never simple. More often than not, such seeds planted never grow, let alone sprout on command like tulips in the spring.
Being in the unique position of having the sixth and 18th overall picks in the NFL Draft, the Lions can’t afford to pass on a potential All-Pro for a lesser player because of filling holes.
Yeah, that could mean a running back, depending on how Holmes decides to deal with unsettled contract situations involving Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift. It could mean offensive line. I wouldn’t touch a quarterback in the first round, but if the Lions’ front office does see brilliance in one, they should take him.
At minimum, the Lions need to cover their back at QB. As is, any significant injury to Jared Goff, and their dreams vanish. Ditto, likely, if there are injuries to either of the offensive tackles, Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell.
It’s still a balancing act. It’s just the nature of the NFL.
Yet, it’s one this version of the Lions’ front office able to achieve.