The Detroit Lions suffered a shocking loss to the Washington Commanders and were booted out of the playoffs. Detroit was a 9.5-point favorite, but after a five-turnover game, they lost 45-31. This loss is a gut punch to the city of Detroit, as the Lions were the odds-on favorites to win the Super Bowl, and now the future of the Lions isn’t so bright.
The Lions franchise has done a complete 180 in the last three seasons, and they went from bottom-feeders to favorites. But if the Lions were going to win the Super Bowl, it seemed like this season was their best shot. Now heading into the offseason the window may close as quickly as it opened.
Coordinators Leaving
The Lions arguably had the best coordinator duo in the NFL the past few seasons. But like every great coordinator, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn started generating head coach buzz. Ben Johnson was just agreed to become the next coach of the Chicagos Bears, and Aaron Glenn will either be coaching in New York or New Orleans next season. This is a huge blow to Dan Campbell’s staff. Not only is he losing his two play-callers, but he will likely lose multiple position coaches that will follow Glenn and Johnson.
Bear down: Chicago is finalizing a deal to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as its next head coach, sources tell ESPN. Bears are getting their man. pic.twitter.com/UwlLk3wNJZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2025
Ben Johnson was paramount to the Lions’ offensive success. He turned Jared Goff from a bridge quarterback into the Lion’s franchise guy. He was the Lions “mad scientist” with his trick plays that almost always work and lead the Lions to 68 offensive touchdowns this season, the second most all-time.
Aaron Glenn did a masterful job with the Lion’s defense as well. Despite being without Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeil, Carlton Davis, and many other pieces the Lions still had a solid defense. By no means was Detroit’s defense elite, but considering the players he had to work with, he did as good as anyone.
#Lions DC Aaron Glenn, one of the top coaching candidates, is set for an in-person, second interview with the #Jets, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
Glenn will have options and electing to do his first visit to the team that drafted him, where he was an All-Pro, is significant. pic.twitter.com/5H9odk33Qp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 20, 2025
Now Dan Campbell and the Lion’s front office are tasked with replacing these two elite coordinators. Even if Detroit can find two great candidates, expect the Lions numbers, offensively and defensively, to go down in 2025.
Jared Goff’s Contract
When Goff was traded to Detroit, he was viewed as a one to two year bridge quarterback until the Lions found their guy. But under Ben Johnson Goff flourished and earned himself a new contract. At the time it seemed like a great deal, but after Goff’s pitiful playoff performance, Detroit’s front office mat be second guessing that decision.
In 2025 Goff’s cap hit is only $32 million, which is relatively cheap for a high-end passer. But in 2026 his cap more than doubles to be $69 million. That money eats up almost a quarter of the Lions entire cap space.
That is a ridiculous amount of money to pay a quarterback who once again proved he isn’t a Super Bowl-level quarterback. The Rams traded away Goff because they knew that, and now Detroit fans are seeing that as well. And with Goff eating up all that cap space, the Lions are bound to lose some of their young stars in free agency, they simply just won’t have the money to bring back everyone.
Players like Aidan Hutchinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, Terrion Arnold, Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch, and Kerby Joseph are all on rookie deals and will command big pay days in the future. The Lions also have key pieces like Kevin Zeitler, Carlton Davis, Emmanuel Mosley, Za’Darius Smith, David Montgomery and D.J. Reader who’s contracts either expire this year or next.
The Lions deserve credit for the fantastic roster they’ve built, but retaining all this talent in the future will be near impossible with Goff’s future contract.
The Detroit Lions Outlook
By no means will the Lions be a bad team for the future. They still have a fantastic head coach in Dan Campbell, and with a healthy team in 2025 they’ll likely have the best roster once again. But you can’t help but think this season was the best chance the Lions had to win their first Lombardi. Next year hinges on finding play callers who can somewhat match what Johnson and Glenn were able to do. And with Goff being under contract for through 2028, the Lions may still never get their championship.
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