The Detroit Lions endured a rocky 2025 season, and as a result of that as well as their playoff collapse the year before, many people are beginning to wonder if they are still contenders.
Even though that is the case, there is a compelling argument to be made for the Lions being a dark-horse contender moving forward into the next few seasons. That's because of all the young talent the roster has retained and developed since 2021.
ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers was on "First Take" and was asked about the Lions' future as Super Bowl contenders. As he explained, he's not closing the window for Detroit. The reason? The franchise has retained all of their young talent and might only need to rediscover some toughness to get back to their winning ways.
"I think the door is cracked slightly. I don't think it's wide open like it used to be. I think they lost a little bit of the magic or the edge they had which was the physicality and the mentality they had up front. Granted, they've had injuries, they're moving things around. Penei Sewell is flipping sides. Blake Miller is a guy they need to emerge on the right side. If they can get back to that, your window is never closed when you have a quarterback that can be a top-10 quarterback. You have a top-five wide receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown. You have one of the best running backs in the league in Jahmyr Gibbs."
"You have top-tier weapons at places that matter. So your window is never going to be closed. Their magic sauce was their physicality and the mentality they had. They didn't have that last year. If they can channel some of that? They're still in the mix."
Fixing the offensive line has been Detroit's top goal this offseason, and if that group comes together, it will be a big advantage for Jared Goff and the rest of the team's weaponry. As strong as the Lions are on offense, an improved defense could also be a quiet reason the Lions aren't finished in the NFC.
Dan Campbell lauds Lions' sneaky defensive line depth for 2026
While Rodgers chose to focus entirely on Detroit's offense, their defense is where the key to being elite could truthfully lie. The Lions have had an average to below average defense nearly every year since 2023, and it's been their undoing. Turning that into a positive unit could help the Lions truthfully take off and become bigger winners.
A big piece of that pie is finding a way to rush the passer and stop the run up front. So far this preseason, the Lions have had some good efforts up front. In Week 2, DJ Wonnum and Derrick Moore each recorded a sack and showed as potential options next to Aidan Hutchinson. Campbell believes there is reason for hope in the room as a result.
"There's a lot of promise in that defensive line room. We played (DJ) Wonnum for a tick and I thought he represented. Derrick (Moore) hadn't had a ton (of run). Last week is what he's gotten in pads, because he had that groin injury, but that (performance) was good to see. He's another young guy. The more reps he gets, the better he's going to get. That was good to see him make plays."
READ MORE: Why Jahmyr Gibbs should be higher in NFL's laughable top 100 ranking
Inside, the Lions have been pleasantly surprised by Skyler Gill-Howard, who has been active in camp and the preseason. He could be set to play a role this season after he earned attention from Campbell and the staff consistently.
"Sklyer Gill-Howard just continues to make plays. He does it in practice. You can feel him out there, and he is relentless and plays snap to whistle. He's got to be, because he's not a huge guy, but he knows who he is and knows how he has to play and he plays with high effort and he's crafty. He's explosive and he's violent."
If the Lions get a fantastic effort up front, that will help their defensive backfield. Should the Lions be able to have a defense that is near the middle-of-the-pack, that would boost an already strong offense. It could also help Detroit to win playoff games and other close contests against difficult opponents.
For more than one reason, the arrow is pointed firmly in the upward position for the Lions. That's why it would be beyond foolish to close the door on their status as contenders.
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