It's safe to say this Detroit Lions' season fell woefully short of the lofty Super Bowl expectations going in, and that's not lost on team owner Sheila Hamp.
On Tuesday, Hamp sent a letter to season ticket holders with her thoughts on the season and the team moving forward. Hamp first thanked season ticket holders "for your commitment to our team and the support you show throughout the season," adding that she is "always blown away by the energy you create inside Ford Field and the advantage you give our team every time we run out of the tunnel."
Hamp immediately addresses the elephant in the room afterward, saying, "I also want to acknowledge that our results on the field this season were not what any of us envisioned and frankly, were not good enough."
While the Lions had a winning 9-8 season, their fourth consecutive winning season, the team missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2022 season and finished last in the NFC North. It was a season marred by injuries and an awful offensive line, as the team struggled to adjust to losing both of its offensive and defensive coordinators.
There were definitely bright spots this season, including the rise of linebacker Jack Campbell to the Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro and a full 17-game season out of pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, consistent issues, such as struggles in the pass rush and lack of aggressive roster moves, remain.
Hamp's letter, customary for team owners to season ticket holders, is written to reassure weary fans that the team remains on the right track in hopes that season ticket holders remain invested.
Lions owner Sheila Hamp's letter to season ticket holders. pic.twitter.com/cOoGatS9g6
— Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network (@Justin_Rogers) January 13, 2026
Hamp dismisses calls for "drastic" changes
As questions about the future of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes emerge following the disappointing season, Hamp was dismissive of calls for "drastic" changes in her letter:
"While we do not believe it is a time for drastic change, this is an opportunity for us to refocus, evolve, and move forward."
She reinforces that point by adding, "I can assure you that we are committed to looking at everything we do to ensure we are performing at the highest level." Hamp continued, "Through conversations with (team president) Rod (Wood), Brad (Holmes) and Dan (Campbell), we are all aligned with this thinking and have already started meetings to address how we move forward."
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Hamp concludes her letter with optimism, saying, "We are excited for what 2026 will bring and some of the new elements we will introduce for all of you, our most loyal fans. Thank you again for your commitment."
Unlike previous seasons, the Lions will not be raising season ticket prices in 2026, due to fewer home games thanks to an eight-game home schedule with one of those games played overseas. This comes after a 24% hike in 2025, 30% in 2024, and 4% in 2023.
Even though Hamp's letter is directed toward those season ticket holders, it also serves as a message for Lions fans as a whole that she understands this season fell short of expectations and the team can't be complacent going forward.
It remains to be seen if this is all talk or if there's genuine enthusiasm and drive behind the organization's commitment to producing a Super Bowl champion, but as Hamp wrote, the success of these past few years "doesn't happen by accident, but it also does not guarantee future success."