Leadership
Sheila Ford-Hamp, Brad Holmes, and Dan Campbell. A dynamic trio that has brought the entire State of Michigan together.
Mrs. Hamp has stepped up and hired the right people. Showing leadership that very few people can even comprehend. She’s allowing people who know football much more than she does to make the tough decisions. At the same time, being willing to write the big checks to keep a cohesive front office together. The fans appreciate the efforts she has made, and they will not be forgotten.
Brad Holmes spent years working his way up the food chain and has proven to be more than worthy of his job as General Manager of the Detroit Lions. So much so that Holmes won Executive of the Year for the 2023 season. After nailing his first three draft classes, it is hard to imagine how crazy Detroit will be when they host the 2024 NFL Draft. Holmes is the architect behind this franchise and brings an energy that only leads to a fanbase believing in him more.
Dan Campbell is the natural-born leader that people love to disrespect, love to act like they are smarter than, and love to make fun of. What people from the outside seem to be finally getting is that Campbell is 100% authentic 100% of the time. Campbell has become a person players and staff love to work and compete for. Over Campbell’s three years in Detroit, he has finally earned respect from many naysayers. Aggressive and analytical have proven to be an amazing combination that almost got the Detroit Lions to their first Super Bowl.
This three-headed monster will continue to lead the #OnePride nation to the promised land.
Offense
On Offense, the Detroit Lions have two first-team All-Pro players on rookie contracts in Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Both players will be getting massive extensions in the next 18 months. Potentially this offseason for St. Brown, who only has a year left on his current deal. When you draft so many studs in a short period, it becomes a challenge to resign them all. These two are the type of players teams dream of building around.
Veteran players are key to any team. Second-team All-Pro Frank Ragnow is the definition of GRIT and toughness. Factoring in Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow (FA), Jonah Jackson (FA), and the previously mentioned Peneei Sewell, the Detroit Lions have the best offensive line in the NFL. Hopefully, the Lions can find a way to maintain this unit after free agency.
Skill players are all over this Lions offense. Rookie Sam LaPorta set plenty of records at the Tight End position, like the number of catches by a rookie Tight End with 86. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery proved to be a dynamic duo at the Running Back position. Jamison Williams showed flashes late in the year. This offense is looking like they can take another jump in 2024.
Jared Goff has proven to be the guy at Quarterback. Something many fans did not think was possible after his first year in Detroit. Goff continued to work on his craft, and we are to the point where he will likely sign a massive contract extension this offseason. Goff was second in the NFL in passing with 4,575 yards. With Ben Johnson coming back, the Lions should expect to be the best offense in the NFL with the talent they have.
Defense
Aiden Hutchinson is the heart and soul of this defense. The former 2nd overall pick has proven to be more than worthy of that selection. Counting the playoffs, Hutchinson had 14.5 sacks. While the Lions need to continue to build up the defense, Hutchinson is much like Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown on offense, meaning he is the player you build the entire franchise around. However, The Lions still need to add high-end depth to the defensive line. Currently, Alim McNeill and Josh Paschal look like core players in the interior, but Hutchinson needs a partner at the other end spot to help him out.
Linebacker was a pleasant surprise this season for the Lions. And a position that ended up having decent depth. Veteran Alex Anzalone was mostly healthy and had a career year. Derrick Barnes developed into a key starter. Jalen Reeves-Maybin was a first-team All-Pro as a special teamer and played well as a linebacker in spot reps. Malcolm Rodriguez played wherever asked and seemingly never complained. The future of this position will be led by 18th overall pick Jack Campbell. Campbell flashed as a rookie and will hopefully take a year-two jump to help this defense improve above league average.
Everybody knows that the secondary was the Lion’s biggest weakness this season. However, rookie Brian Branch showed flashes of a future superstar. Those flashes came as early as week one when Branch picked off Patrick Mahomes for a touchdown. Second-year free safety Kerby Joseph arguably took a step back but still flashed that ball-hawk upside that made him a fan favorite in his rookie year. Ifeatu Melifonwu has had a career filled with injuries until the second half of this season. Melifonwu earned himself an NFC Defensive Player of the Week award this season. Showing the potential the front office always thought he had. Cornerback Cam Sutton was solid in the first half of the season but struggled mightily down the stretch. The Lions will likely make it a priority to move Sutton down the depth chart. How much this unit improves likely will determine the Lion’s destiny.
Future
Per Spotrac, the Lions have over 61 million dollars in top 51 cap space. This Cap space should allow the Lions to extend Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. As well as guys like Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell potentially. Other players in consideration to be resigned to new deals include Jonah Jackson, Graham Glasgow, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Once all currently rostered players are taken care of, the Lions should still have cap space to cash in on a high-impact player. Players to consider in that 16M to 20M a year range include Danielle Hunter, Christian Wilkins, and L’Jarius Sneed. Needless to say, it will be a fun off-season for the Detroit Lions.
All of this was mentioned without talking about the upcoming NFL Draft that will be held in Detroit. An event that was joked about being the Lions’ Super Bowl for many years. Brad Holmes has proven to be excellent when it comes to the NFL Draft. All 23 picks Homes has made in his three years as General Manager are still on the roster in some facet. That is truly an incredible statistic. The Lions have four top 100 picks this year, which are currently 29, 61, 73, and 92.
The Leadership and core of this team must have people excited for the future of the Detroit Lions. It’s a franchise and City that has been beaten down for many years. Both are now on the rise and will need to continue earning respect over the next few seasons. The Draft being held in Detroit will help strengthen this franchise and City. This is all why the Detroit Lions are a franchise worth believing in.
