The Detroit Lions had a season for the ages. They won their first division title in three decades and won two playoff games en route to a rare NFC title game appearance. Fortunately for the Lions, even after a heartbreaking defeat in San Francisco, they seem like they’re built for the long haul. Like they’ll be back in this position as soon as next year.
Head coach Dan Campbell also appears to believe this about his team, but he knows pro football can be a brutal league. Especially to the best teams on paper.
In his postgame press conference, Campbell admitted that he told his Lions players they may have just missed their best shot at winning a Super Bowl. Campbell said he doesn’t necessarily believe that reality will come to fruition. Still, he understands that between injuries, improved competition, and general game-to-game luck, a lot changes in the NFL from year to year:
"I told those guys – this may have been our only shot… it's gonna be twice as hard to get back to this point next year." – Dan Campbell pic.twitter.com/MSjT1CmH02
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 29, 2024
Dan Campbell said he was honest with the locker room this might have been their only shot. He doesn't believe that, he doesn't think that, but it's the reality of the NFL. Said it will be twice as difficult next year.
— Justin Rogers | Detroit News (@Justin_Rogers) January 29, 2024
The Lions feel like they will be an NFC superpower for years to come. Provided they fix a shoddy secondary, it’s hard to argue against a core of players featuring All-Pros Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and Sam LaPorta, as well as pass-rushing buzzsaw Aidan Hutchinson.
But similar sentiments have been expressed about a lot of good NFL teams. The Lions wouldn’t be the first squad to come to the doorstep of the Super Bowl and never get there again. Barring exceptional, even generational quarterback play, deep postseason runs like this are more random than one might think.
Like Campbell said, it doesn’t mean the Lions falling off a cliff is a guarantee in the future. But they have to be prepared for the possibility they take a step back. It goes to show you that when you get a puncher’s chance of capturing the Lombardi Trophy — you better be prepared to capitalize while you still can.
NFL fans agreed with Dan Campbell's assessment of the Lions' future
I remember Philip Rivers telling me about Norv Turner's speech after the AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots in '08. Said they were such a good team that they'd definitely be back. Rivers was 26, their defensive stars were young.
It never happened. https://t.co/ixnRCAg1G5
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) January 29, 2024
He’s right. The biggest lie that sports fans tell themselves is that they’ll be back next year https://t.co/QKZArkwXSp
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) January 29, 2024
I think it might be an easy thing (as the Chiefs go to 6 straight conf. title games and to a 4th Super Bowl in that time), to forget how hard it is to get to a conference title game. Let alone to a Super Bowl.
It really may have been Detroit’s only shot. https://t.co/h7VnmJUcjE
— Andrew Streeter (@andrewstreeter_) January 29, 2024
— Trill Withers (@TylerIAm) January 29, 2024
He's right which makes what Tom Brady did & what Mahomes currently is doing by going to 4 Super Bowls in 5 years absolutely nuts. https://t.co/sX5chuEhy4
— TJ (@TraMurr) January 29, 2024
I find this messaging more interesting than his fourth down decision making. This is keeping it REAL. https://t.co/ycGCHcmbNZ
— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) January 29, 2024
The realest thing I’ve heard a coach say https://t.co/gDGtE1qASd
— Master (@MasterTes) January 29, 2024
So many examples throughout the history of sports with almost teams. Damn. https://t.co/vOt1oG4m6I
— A Washed Kang (@AnthonyCanton_3) January 29, 2024
This is a reminder of just how hard it is to win in the NFL, especially due to injuries. https://t.co/qliVdjqeKh
— Adam Ruff (@AdamRuffPhoto) January 29, 2024
