The Detroit Lions were just one second-half collapse away from representing the NFC in the Super Bowl last season. A franchise that is starved for continued success, they enter 2024 with questions as they look to get back and get over the hump.
From a fiery head coach with a true leader mentality to a roster that may be one of the more talented groups in the NFL, let’s take a look at the five biggest unanswered questions for the Lions heading into this season.
Unanswered Questions Ahead of Detroit Lions Training Camp
Head coach Dan Campbell was candid with his team following their NFC Championship Game loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He let his team know how hard it is to make it to that point, and that it may be even harder to get back there.
With a team that looks to be in its championship window, the question, among others, is, “Can they find sustained success?” We discuss that and four other questions that face the Lions ahead of training camp kicking off.
Will This Finally Be the Breakout Year for Jameson Williams?
With an offensive roster loaded with talent, one name that hasn’t quite broken out yet could make a huge difference in 2024. That player is wide receiver Jameson Williams.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide star is entering his third NFL season, looking to finally break out and make a true impact for the Lions. In his first two seasons, Williams has only combined for 25 receptions, 395 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns.
If Williams elevates his game in Year 3, it could change everything for a Lions offense that already boasts stars WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, TE Sam LaPorta, and RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
Can Jared Goff Replicate His Success From Last Season?
It seems as if Jared Goff has found the perfect situation for him in Detroit — and his career. With a franchise that believes in him and a roster loaded with talent, Goff has gotten quite comfortable in the Motor City.
With the production on the field as evidence, can Goff find a way to duplicate, or even one up, his 2023 campaign? The Lions sure hope so, and it’s not unreasonable to believe he can.
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Under the watchful eye of offensive coordinator guru Ben Johnson, Goff and the Lions boast one of the best offenses in the NFL. Detroit can go toe-to-toe with any team in the NFL, and if Goff is able to match — or even succeed — his 30 touchdowns, 4,575-yard season from last year, the Lions may be able to take it to another level.
Does Detroit Have a Championship-Caliber Defense?
Since getting the job in Detroit, Coach Campbell has preached toughness and effort. And when looking at his team’s identity, it’s clear that the message has been received.
Under Campbell, the Lions have built a reputation for being relentless and unafraid. But can that translate to a championship-caliber defense?
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With budding stars, EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DT Alim McNeill, and S Brian Branch anchoring the group, the potential to be in that upper echelon is there. Add in the fact Detroit drafted CB Terrion Arnold this year and the development of LB Jack Campbell, who looks to be a growing leader in the middle of the unit, the Lions have youth and talent to rival anybody.
While they’re tough and talented, the Lions weren’t without their struggles last season. They struggled at times to get off the field and played 185 defensive series in the regular season while forcing a three-and-out just 17.3% of the time, which tied for 28th in the NFL.
This group is the team’s wild card right now. While they were close in 2023, every unit on the team, including the defense, will have to step up their game. The question remains, “Can they?”
Can the Lions Find Sustained Success?
After finishing seasons 6-10, 3-12-1, 5-11, and 3-13-1, from 2018 to 2021, respectively, the Lions have been able to put together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2016-2017.
It’s clear now that Detroit is a talented team and a true player in the NFC playoff race, but can the team sustain this success to become a consistent presence like the 49ers, Cowboys, and Eagles in recent memory? Campbell has come in and changed the program from top to bottom. The Lions no longer hope to be a good team — they expect it.
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That mindset switch, accompanied by a quality talent acquisition strategy, has put the Lions in a great position going forward. However, they’ll once again need to go out there and get the job done to prove it isn’t a flash in the pan.
Will Dan Campbell Temper His Risk-Taking Style?
The most famous example of Campbell’s “risk it all” mentality came against the Cowboys on national television, but that’s not the only case of his bravado being on display.
While the Cowboys game got talked about frequently, the fourth-down decisions against the 49ers were the most costly.
Going for it on two critical fourth downs that failed was too tough to overcome. Moments in the regular season cost Campbell games, and decisions in the playoffs ultimately cost the Lions their season.
Ultimately, you take the good with the bad, and when this is your plan of attack, you’re taught not to second-guess yourself based on the outcome but more so by the process.
The Lions are a good football team, with top-level talent sprinkled throughout the roster. Does knowing that temper Campbell a bit or make him even more eager to push the envelope?
Football is a funny game in the sense that one moment can change everything. When you’re going for it all, sometimes you end up with nothing. One may wonder if Campbell is weighing that out a little more in 2024.
