The Detroit Lions were the best team in the NFL for most of the 2024 season. Their dominant offense was paired with a defense that overcame injury after injury. In the playoffs, they were overwhelmed by the Washington Commanders, leading to an early season end. Once the offseason began, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn took on head coaching positions. Many are already predicting regression from the team. However, running back David Montgomery is still confident that the Super Bowl window is wide open.
Detroit Lions David Montgomery On Super Bowl Window
Montgomery sat down with Forbes reporter DJ Siddiqi last week and chatted about the 2024 season. It was by no means a failure, but getting the top seed and then losing the first playoff game is definitely disappointing for a fan base that has longed for success for years. Montgomery thinks the Detroit Lions got away from their brand of football and with better execution, the results might have been different.
“I think ultimately – I don’t think we underestimated our opponent — but I think we weren’t playing our brand of football, and it showed. I think if we found a better way to execute, we’ll get over that hump.”
“A few more pieces here and there to tie everything together, but I think we’re right in the midst of being exactly where we want to be, it just hasn’t happened for us yet.”
Montgomery recognizes the Detroit Lions have the cornerstone pieces to win a Super Bowl. They have a quarterback who has a track record of winning. Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are the best running-back tandem in the league. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta are a great pass-catching trio. On the other side of the ball, Aidan Hutchinson looked like the Defensive Player of the Year before his injury, and many other young players have played at a Pro Bowl level. The team has the pieces, but it takes proper execution to win games in the NFL.
2025 Outlook
Any person who thinks the Detroit Lions cannot win a Super Bowl next year is crazy. Will they go 15-2 next year? Probably not. However, that doesn’t mean they will be a bad team. The loss of both coordinators is tough, but all of the cornerstone pieces are there. What the end of the season proved is how difficult it is to win in the NFL. Injuries happen. The NFL is full of “what ifs” on injuries. Furthermore, the one-and-done playoff format means one wrong move ends the season. In the NBA or MLB, a seven-game series brings less variance. That is not the case in the NFL.
Expect the Lions to be in the hunt for the NFC North next year. The division is loaded, but there is simply too much talent to ignore. The Super Bowl window is by no means closed, but things happen fast in the NFL. The hope is the team can bring in another strong draft class and pair that with their existing core. Then, with a little bit of injury luck going their way, they could be right back in the NFC Championship Game.