The Detroit Lions’ season officially came to an end on Christmas Day with a road loss to the Minnesota Vikings, marking the franchise’s first missed postseason since 2022. Detroit fell 23–10 in a game that extinguished their remaining playoff hopes and confirmed they would not be playing in January, according to league research.
Following the defeat, the Lions dropped to an 8–8 record and extended their losing streak to three games.
The disappointing finish has sparked widespread debate about accountability within the organization, particularly given the roster’s overall talent level.
While Detroit possesses plenty of capable players, strong coaching remains essential for success. Many observers are now questioning whether the Lions’ coaching staff delivered that stability during the 2025–26 campaign.
Adding to the frustration is the success of former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who departed Detroit to become head coach of the Chicago Bears. In his first season leading the Bears, Johnson has guided Chicago to a division-leading record and a playoff berth in the NFC North—an outcome that has only intensified scrutiny in Detroit.
Leadership was a focal point in a Christmas Day column by Jason Kandel of SideLion Report, where he argued that head coach Dan Campbell must answer for the team’s offensive struggles. Kandel noted that after Johnson’s exit, Campbell brought in John Morton as offensive coordinator but later assumed play-calling responsibilities himself in early November.
Although that shift initially showed promise, Kandel pointed out that the offense became predictable. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the Vikings were able to shut down Detroit’s heavy reliance on the running game and play-action concepts.
Campbell’s first outing as play-caller—a 44–22 win over Washington—looked impressive on paper, but context mattered. The Commanders were missing several key starters, making the performance less meaningful in hindsight. Since then, Detroit’s offensive production has steadily declined.
Kandel highlighted that before the Vikings matchup, the Lions ranked among the NFL’s top three offenses in both total and passing yards per game, with quarterback Jared Goff surpassing 4,000 passing yards once again. Against Minnesota, however, Goff was limited to just 197 yards through the air after the run game was neutralized.
While Goff has drawn criticism, Kandel emphasized that the quarterback is surrounded by enough offensive talent to mask his shortcomings under normal circumstances. That margin for error, however, disappeared as Detroit’s play-calling faltered.
With ineffective offensive direction, Goff’s weaknesses became more apparent, and the entire unit struggled to adapt.
After the loss, Campbell addressed the media and stressed the importance of finishing the season strong. He said he expects full focus and effort when the team reconvenes and prepares for its final road game in Chicago.
Campbell also acknowledged that difficult decisions loom this offseason. He explained that he and general manager Brad Holmes will need to evaluate what went wrong, identify areas for improvement, and determine how to move the team forward.
“We have to get better,” Campbell said, emphasizing that reflection and change will be necessary in the months ahead.
