A segment of Detroit Lions fans have bowed out of watching the remainder of the playoffs after the team's Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. Sticking to that for the Super Bowl stands to be more difficult, and some may need a reason to watch a matchup between two teams we saw in this game just two years ago.
But there are several ties to the Lions on the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, and let's take a look at them.
Super Bowl LIX: Former Lions with the Eagles
CB Darius Slay
Slay was as second-round pick by the Lions in 2013. Over seven seasons in Detrout he earned three Pro Bowl selections with a First Team All-Pro selection in 2017 when he led the league with eight interceptions. He was so good that a wide receiver going up against him in a given week, especially with what else was around him, was often tabbed to be going on a "Slay Ride" (with a negative connotation for his production) by fantasy football analysts.
Slay's exit from the Lions in 2020 was the epitome of all that was bad about Matt Patricia, and he has earned three more Pro Bowl nods over five seasons with the Eagles.
In New Orleans this week, Slay has suggested that next season will be his last. He also professed his love for Detroit.
"I got nothing but love for Detroit, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. The Lions, man, for sure. That's the team that took a chance on me, a kid from Brunswick, Ga. So it’s always nothing but love. I root for them every time. I want them to win every game besides the game I'm playing against them in. But yeah man, that's home. That's my second home for sure.”
S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Gardner-Johnson's lone season as a Lion in 2023 did not go at all as planned, as a torn pectoral he suffered in Week 2 sidelined him until the regular season finale. He played in a total of six games, counting the playoffs.
As much as Lions fans will likely root for Slay in Super Bowl LIX, Gardner-Johnson gave them a reason to root against the Eagles this week with his out of nowhere and flimsy call-out of the organization this week. Some people apparently just can't be happy to be playing in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.
DE Charles Harris
Harris was basically in the category of a first-round bust when the Lions signed him as a free agent in 2021 and he led the team in sacks that season with 7.5. He started off 2022 pretty poorly, and injuries impacted him that season and in 2023. His lack of future in Detroit was sealed when he was regularly a healthy scratch over the second half of the 2023 season despite the Lions struggling to pass rush off the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Harris spent time this season with the Carolina Panthers this season before the Eagles picked him off waivers. He is on their practice squad, and unlikely to play on Sunday.
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore
Moore is best-known for his college career as the quarterback at Boise State, and now his move into coaching that has lined him up to become the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints when the Super Bowl is over. He spent three seasons with the Lions to start his NFL playing career (2012-2014), never appearing in a regular season for them.
Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers coach Jeremiah Washburn
Washburn is the son of Jim Washburn, who was also briefly a Lions coach. He got his start in the NFL as the Lions' assistant offensive line coach (2009-12), then he was the offensive line coach for three seasons (2013-15). After stops with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, Washburn joined the Eagles in 2019 and has risen from advanced project coordinator to his current position, which he has had the last three seasons.
National Scout Jordan Dizon
Dizon was a second-round pick by the Lions in the 2008 draft. He played in just 28 games for Detroit (zero starts, and a season ending injury in the 2010 preseason essentially ended his career. He has transitioned nicely to a career in the league, with his three years as a scout for the Eagles preceded by eight years with the Denver Broncos as a pro scout and assistant director of pro personnel.
Offensive Assistant Kyle Valero
Valero was an offensive assistant for the Lions from 2010-2013.
Former Lions with the Chiefs
TE Anthony Firkser
The Lions added Firkser to their practice squad in 2023, and he played in two regular season games as well as all three playoff games in a minor role. He started this season with the New York Jets, before being released an picked up by the Chiefs. He played in three regular season games for them, but is currently on the practice and unlikely to play on Sunday night.
Defensive line coach Joe Cullen
After a decade-plus coaching at the college level, Cullen got his first NFL job with the Lions as defensive line coach in 2006. His three seasons in Detroit were Rod Marinelli's three season as head coach. Since then he has coached the defensives lines of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens, with one year back with the Jaguars as their defensive coordinator before the last three seasons as defensive line coach for the Chiefs.