The Detroit Lions’ magical 2024 season came to a sudden halt on Saturday with a 45-31 upset loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round. It was a bitter end for a Lions team that earned the NFC’s top seed for the first time in franchise history after a 15-win campaign. But head coach Dan Campbell isn’t letting the loss diminish his belief in what the Lions have built.
“We’re gonna come back stronger, we’re gonna learn from this, and it’s just more fuel on the fire,” Campbell asserted in his end-of-season press conference on Monday. The second-year Lions head coach spoke with conviction about the team’s ability to rebound from the disappointing playoff exit and continue their ascent in the NFC.
Lions’ Super Bowl Window Still Open
When asked if he still feels the Lions’ championship window remains open, Campbell didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely,” he emphasized. “That core group is still intact — and we’ve signed some back, some are up on contracts and that’ll be ongoing. But, yeah, we absolutely do.”
Campbell highlighted the team’s established culture, identity, and personnel as reasons for optimism moving forward:
I think the most important thing is you want to know you’ve got your culture, you’ve got your identity and you’ve got players that fit into that, and we’ve got that. And we’ve got players in every pivotal position you can ask for to have success and those guys are made the right way.
Keeping the Core Together
Integral to the Lions’ continued success will be maintaining the nucleus of young talent they’ve assembled. All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who texted Campbell at 4am after the loss, embodied the team’s dedication. “I know the guys, [the loss] eats away at [them],” Campbell noted. “I know the right guys — they’re our guys for a reason and that’s what will always give me hope and let me know we’re only gonna be better.”
Other cornerstone Lions like running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who felt this year’s squad was even better than their 2023 NFC Championship Game roster, will need to be retained long-term. With some key players coming up on new contracts, Campbell and the front office have crucial decisions ahead to keep the band together for another title run.
Adapting to Coaching Changes
One challenge the Lions will face in 2025 is likely losing both coordinators, Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson, to head coaching opportunities elsewhere. Campbell acknowledged it would hurt to lose them but vowed to “replenish and find the next man up.” He plans to be heavily involved in evaluating potential replacements, both internal and external, to ensure continuity.
“We’re not gonna allow [losing the coordinators] to happen,” Campbell declared. Maintaining terminology and quarterback Jared Goff’s comfort in the system will be priorities in any coaching transition.
Motivated by Falling Short
As painful as Saturday’s loss was, Campbell believes it will only sharpen the Lions’ resolve for 2025. He conveyed a palpable mix of frustration and motivation when reflecting on coming up short of their ultimate goal.
We had these goals. … We met two of those goals this year and in a sense, went above and beyond what we were a year ago, but yet, we didn’t get any further and man, that’s disappointing. But it also eats at me. That drives me. That motivates me.
With a battle-tested young core, organizational stability, and now the bitter taste of unfinished business, expect Campbell’s hungry Lions to come out roaring once again in 2025. Their championship window remains very much open, and this year’s playoff exit may just be the catalyst that propels them to finally seize the moment.