The Detroit Lions may be wondering whether their prime opportunity under head coach Dan Campbell has already passed.
Now heading into Campbell’s fifth season, Detroit finds itself at something of a crossroads. The team enjoyed back-to-back standout campaigns, finishing 12-5 before improving to an impressive 15-2 record, firmly establishing itself as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. However, momentum stalled in 2025. With coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson departing for head coaching roles elsewhere, the Lions regressed to a 9-8 finish.
That downturn raises an important question: can Detroit rebound in 2026 and reenter the championship conversation?
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler pointed out a potential complication. The franchise has invested heavily in retaining its core talent, committing close to $1 billion in contract extensions to cornerstone players. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is next in line for a major payday. While locking up stars ensures continuity, it could also strain roster flexibility. General manager Brad Holmes must now carefully manage the salary cap while addressing clear needs — particularly improving the run defense and strengthening the secondary.
Offensively, Detroit still boasts one of the league’s more dangerous units. With quarterback Jared Goff distributing the ball to playmakers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Gibbs, scoring hasn’t been an issue. In fact, the Lions ranked fourth in total offense in 2025.
The bigger concern lies on the defensive side. Allowing just over 24 points per game won’t cut it for a team with championship aspirations. That figure must decrease if the Lions hope to compete with the NFL’s elite.
Free agency could present an opportunity to add experienced defenders who can make an immediate impact. Despite their financial commitments, Detroit may still have enough flexibility to pursue upgrades.
Ultimately, this offseason will reveal how aggressively the Lions choose to push their chips toward the center of the table. Was last season simply a temporary setback on the road to a Super Bowl run? Or did Detroit’s brief championship window quietly close?
