The Detroit Lions’ Super Bowl window remains one of the NFL’s toughest puzzles to solve.

Two seasons ago, the Lions collapsed in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Dan Campbell admitted afterward that it might have been their best chance to win it all — a comment that seemed premature at the time. Detroit had the league’s best young core and looked built for sustained contention.

Since then, reality has been less kind.

In 2024, the Lions secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC, only to suffer a stunning playoff upset to the Washington Commanders as injuries ravaged the defense. The 2025 season was even more disappointing: offensive regression, continued defensive issues, and a complete absence from the postseason.

Still, Detroit’s foundation remains strong.

The Lions boast elite talent on both sides of the ball and a quarterback who has already reached the Super Bowl — and is arguably better now than he was during that run. The pieces are there, but the big question remains: Is Detroit’s championship window still open?

Lions Target Offensive Upgrade After Coordinator Firing

At their peak, the Lions were driven by an explosive, creative offense. While the unit remained productive in 2025, it lacked the innovation and swagger it once had under former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who departed for the Chicago Bears.

That decline led Detroit to move on from John Morton, Johnson’s successor, signaling a clear desire for a major offensive upgrade.

Now, the Lions may be aiming high.

Mike McDaniel Emerges as Surprise Candidate

According to reports, the Lions are set to interview former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel for their vacant offensive coordinator position.

Just a few years ago, McDaniel was widely viewed as the “next Sean McVay,” orchestrating a Dolphins offense that made headlines — including a historic 70-point performance. While Miami’s offense faded late in recent seasons and McDaniel was ultimately let go, his reputation as one of the NFL’s sharpest offensive minds remains intact.

McDaniel is currently drawing interest for head-coaching roles, but Detroit has reportedly secured an interview for its top offensive position.

Can the Lions Convince McDaniel to Take a Step Back?

While McDaniel’s head-coaching tenure drew mixed reviews, his offensive creativity is unquestioned. He could immediately inject innovation into a Lions offense that lost its identity after Johnson’s departure.

The challenge for Detroit will be convincing McDaniel to return to a coordinator role — and to buy into a franchise that has never reached a Super Bowl.

Lions’ Super Bowl Window Under the Microscope

Whether the Lions’ championship window is fully open, barely cracked, or closing fast remains up for debate. What is clear is that Detroit’s front office must sell a compelling vision — not just to fans, but to elite coaching candidates like McDaniel.

If the Lions want to land one of the brightest offensive architects in football, they’ll need to prove that their Super Bowl opportunity isn’t just theoretical — it’s real, and it’s right now.