The Detroit Lions have long been considered the underdogs in the NFL, often the subject of ridicule and mockery when it comes to discussions about Super Bowl contenders. However, in recent years, the Lions have undergone a significant transformation that has put them on a path towards success. With dwindling confidence and almost nonexistent hope, the Lions ownership made the bold decision to overhaul their organizational structure and hire a new head coach and general manager to oversee the team’s transformation.
Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes were brought in to lead this new era for the Lions, with a vision of building a team that could ultimately govern itself, set high expectations, and demand excellence. Their goal was to navigate through free agency acquisitions and big contract demands to find resilient, hungry, and competitive players who could face and overcome adversity.
Despite early setbacks, which were painful and challenging, these defeats served as a reminder that a committed mindset to fight hard and work diligently would eventually yield results. Conor Orr and Greg Bishop eloquently put it, stating, „All of it shows—not tells—that the Lions are ready for more. More hope. More wins. More success. They are ready to take control from Campbell and lead this team straight to New Orleans in February, to the Lions‘ first Super Bowl.“
Holmes and Campbell never wavered in their plan to recruit and develop talented players and then reward their efforts with lucrative, life-changing contract offers. This offseason saw Goff, Sewell, and St. Brown all sign massive contract extensions, solidifying themselves as franchise cornerstones for years to come. Campbell’s metaphorical gesture of pointing to the fire alarm lever just a few feet away signifies that the foundation has been laid, the walls have been fixed, the trash has been cleared, and the paint has been applied. Now it’s Jared’s team. Penei’s team. Amon-Ra’s team. It belongs to Frank and Alex. It belongs to the people. The church. The letter writers. The parents who never got to see it. If they need it, they know where to find it.
Since taking on his role as the Lions‘ head coach, Campbell and the organization have delivered on their promise to change the culture and steer the organization in a completely new direction. „At first, not much anger. So much failure. Now, everything he promised is right in front of us. ‚It’s here,‘ Campbell told Sports Illustrated, his voice softening. ‚It’s here.'“
The Detroit Lions‘ journey towards the Super Bowl is a testament to perseverance, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The team’s newfound confidence and belief in their ability to compete at the highest level have set them on a trajectory towards success. To read the full feature on the Lions from Sports Illustrated, click here.
