I can’t help but wonder, given the Lions’ past, whether the last six months of unprecedented optimism about their future is fool’s gold.
Logic cuts both ways. The cure for the malady infesting the Lions for more than six decades isn’t all that complicated.
Get the right coach, general manager, quarterback, solid core of linemen and a few genuine playmakers, and chances rise precipitously for big-time success.
The Lions’ seemingly have checked those boxes. Dan Campbell has been terrific, weathering severe storms his first two seasons with remarkable adroitness. His demeanor and adjustments to scheme on both sides of the ball, aided by top-notch coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, is impressive.
General manager Brad Holmes’ first two drafts were arguably the best in franchise history, and the third promising. He has also augmented the roster via free agency, navigating the nuances of the salary cap efficiently. The Lions under Holmes, dare we say, have been smart.
Would you trade Jared Goff even up for Matthew Stafford? The notion that question can be asked would have been unthinkable last summer. Whether Goff is the long-term answer at QB is to be determined. But it’s possible, perhaps even probable. That’s a testament to Goff’s persistence, pluck and professionalism.
Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow and Taylor Decker anchor a Top 10, perhaps Top 5, offensive line, while recent draft picks Amon-Ra St. Brown and Aidan Hutchinson lead a growing list of Lions’ playmakers.
This, however, is where “but” comes in: The Lions were just 9-8 in 2022. Sure, it was wonderful knocking long-time Packers’ nemesis Aaron Rodgers out of playoffs, but the Lions didn’t make it, either. Would there still be this glow had they gotten in and lost as a wild card team for the 10th time in 10 tries?
The weakness of the NFC North has added an accelerant sending a “This is The Year” rocket to the moon. There is neither Rodgers nor Brett Favre for the first time in more than three decades in GB. The reshuffling Vikings were more lucky than good in ‘22. The rebuilding Bears were the worst team in the NFL.
Philadelphia is the NFC’s best team, equaled only by the 49ers, except minus a Jalen Hurts at QB. After that, there is not much.
There have been other times during the six decades of ownership by the Fords the Lions’ seemed to turn the corner, you know. This is, after all, the franchise of Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson and numerous other individual stars.
Nearly half the defense on the first team solely owned by William Clay Ford in 1964 is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That squad, headed by George Wilson, who coached the Lions’ last championship team in 1957, was 7-5-2. Ford’s first big decision was to fire all of Wilson’s staff after the season, but not the head coach. Of course, Wilson resigned days later, slamming the door to his car and driving off in a rage after a meeting with Ford, telling a reporter, “He doesn’t know anything about football.”
And so began the incredible odyssey detailed in our podcast, “Can’t Make This Up” contained in this column.
The cliche, “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it” has never fit the Lions.
All this town ever does when it comes to the Lions is remember. We can’t help it. There have been so many disasters in a plethora of unimaginable ways.
Ford’s daughter, Sheila Hamp, is now in charge. She has made some excellent decisions.
Maybe the story will have a happy ending, after all, and we can finally forget.
That would be beyond nice. No fan base has ever deserved it more.