With the calendar flipping to December, these four Detroit Lions players need to finish the 2022 season strongly.
The Detroit Lions enter December at 4-7, and having won three of their last four games (in November) to put themselves on the fringe of the NFC playoff picture. They will play meaningful games, or meaningful for something more than the impact on draft pick position, in December for the first time in awhile.
From here on out, there are some winnable games on the Lions’ schedule. So it’s not out of the question they could hang around in the NFC Wild Card race, and at least come close to paying off preseason record predictions that were in the range of .500.
The final six games of the season are broadly meaningful for the Lions, as a next step to finish Dan Campbell’s second season as head coach on a good note. But for players individually, the stretch run will be important to either keep positive momentum going, or turn things a better direction after a disappointing run to this point. Some have a future with the Lions, and others won’t have a future in Detroit no matter what happens.
Be it for their future in a Lions’ uniform, their career prospects as a whole or setting up a higher level, these four Lions’ players need a strong finish to the 2022 season the most.
4 Detroit Lions players who need a strong finish to the season the most
4. WR DJ Chark
It’s hard to call Chark a huge free agent bust, given that he only signed a cheap one-year deal with the Lions last offseason. But this season has not gone well, with limited production and struggles to connect with Jared Goff before and after missing six games with an ankle injury.
Chark had a larger snap share on Thanksgiving Day against the Buffalo Bills (52 snaps, a 73 percent share), in his second game back from his injury, with two catches for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Chark needs to have healthy run of solid productivity over the final six games, starting with a “revenge game” against his former team the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13. The odds he’s back in Detroit next year feel slim, but he can bolster his stock upon hitting the open market again with a strong finish to the season.
3. DE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson had a somewhat disappointing and inconsistent start to his rookie season. But he rounded into better form in November, with a NFC Defensive Player of the Week award in Week 11 and ultimately winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for the month. Being used in ways that better suit him (on the left side of the line, in a two-point stance, etc.) has been good, but the game clearly is slowing down for the No. 2 overall pick in last April’s draft. He’s making reactionary and instinctful plays that he didn’t make the first few weeks of the season.
This week, Lions defensive line coach Todd Wash outlined some rest of season goals for Hutchinson (h/t to SI.com).
"Continue to develop as a pass rusher. We’re keeping him on the left side for the most part, and I think he likes that,” Wash explained. “You know, but just constant pressure is what we’re kind of looking for. And, that’s our expectations, and that’s his expectations."
As for winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Wash thinks it’s not prominent on his top young pupil’s mind.
"Probably the best thing about Hutch, like we said, he’s a good football player — but he’s a really good human being. I think he’s more worried about us winning games and doing what he can to help us win games,” Lions defensive line coach Todd Wash told reporters Wednesday. “I think if he ends up winning the Rookie of the Year, it’s just some icing on the cake for him. But, that’s the last thing in his mind.”"
With more sacks a prerequisite down the stretch, Hutchinson can absolutely win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. But beyond the shiny statistics, a strong, consistent finish to his rookie season is important for him as a launching point to stardom.
2. QB Jared Goff
Survey Lions’ fans, and a portion will say Goff should have a legit shot to still be the starting quarterback in 2023. Another portion will site how it’ll be easy to move on in the offseason, with a $10 million dead money hit if he’s cut before June 1 (it’d be spread $5 million in dead money each in 2023 and 2024 with a post-June 1 cut designation). The Lions need to reset/get cheaper under center at some point soon, regardless of a decision on Goff.
Goff has had a better season this year than he did in his first as a Lion in 2021. But he has been up-and-down, and it’s ultimately clear he’s not the kind of quarterback who can take a team to its highest ceiling. The Rams realized that., centered around a Super Bowl loss a few years ago, moved on when they could procure an upgrade (Matthew Stafford) and won a Super Bowl). The Lions will get there, eventually if not right after this season, no matter what Goff does from here.
Over the final six games, Goff is auditioning for the Lions to some degree. But moreso he may be auditioning for other teams who may be looking for a veteran quarterback in the offseason, be it a new starter or an experienced backup. No matter what, the former No. 1 overall pick has a lot at stake down the stretch this season.
1. RB D’Andre Swift
All offseason, “if he can stay healthy” came as the prefix for any talk of Swift having a breakout season this year. He started off nicely, with a career-high 144 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. But he suffered an ankle injury in that game, and played through it in Week 2. He added a shoulder issue to the mix in Week 3, then missed the next three games with a bye week in the midst of that stretch.
Swift has continued to be somewhat limited by both injuries since returning to action, despite being off the injury report in recent weeks, as his snap share has clearly been managed. He has also appeared hesitant at times, and hesitant to run toward possible contact, leaving unrealized yardage on the field. At one point, the idea he should sit another game if he’s not healthy enough to play more and be himself seemed reasonable.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Swift could get “a little bit more” than the 24 snaps he played against the Bills on Thanksgiving on Sunday against the Jaguars. What exactly that looks like would be the question.
"I thought he did some good things for us,” Campbell explained. “I thought he brought us a little bit of life, and I feel like every week he’s starting to feel better and getting himself back into where he wants to be and where we want him to be. So, I anticipate him getting a little bit more this week.”"
Swift’s future in Detroit is set to start becoming a conversation. Next year is the final year of his rookie contract, since he was a second-round pick in 2020. Do the Lions extend him, even just a year or two at a reasonable rate, in the offseason? Do they consider trading him? Or do they let him play out next season, then let him leave unabated in 2024 free agency?
However it looks come the end of the season, with all those options on the table just as they are now, Swift’s health and performance over the final six games will be the driving force.