The Detroit Lions enter this season with perhaps the highest expectations in team history.
Last season was one that will long live in the memory of Lions fans as the team won a playoff game for the first time since the 1991 season beating the LA Rams in the Wild Card and then the Buccaneers in the Divisional Round making it to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1991 and looking for their first ever Super Bowl appearance.
The game started just as well as the Lions could’ve hoped, but after a 2nd half comeback from the 49ers, the Lions season came to an end in devastating fashion.
And so the offseason began, and many thought the Lions would lose both their offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs.
But shortly after the NCS Championship loss, Ben Johnson decided to remain the OC in Detroit, and just a few days later Glenn decided to run it back as the DC in the Motor City.
After securing both coordinators, it was time to address the holes in the team using both the NFL Draft and free agency
Detroit acquired some big names, signing edge rusher Marcus Davenport and defensive tackle D.J. Reader along with cornerback Amik Robertson and trading for cornerback Carlton Davis from the Buccaneers.
In the draft, the Lions targeted defensive backs grabbing Terrion Arnold out of Alabama in the first round and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. from Missouri in the 2nd round
The lions also re-signed some key free agents such as offensive lineman Graham Glasgow special teams captain Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
But the Lions did lose a few key players in the offseason including wide receiverJjosh Reynolds, defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and guard Jonah Jackson.
They also released safety Tracey Walker.
The Lions rewarded some of their star players with big time contract extensions.
Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell all received four year contract extension making them some of the highest paid players in their respective positions.
And just a week into training camp, the Lions got Taylor Decker to agree to a three year contract extension.
So with all of the right people in place, the Lions got to work in August preparing for the upcoming season where the expectations couldn’t be higher for Detroit.
They currently have the 2nd best odds in the NFC to win the Super Bowl.
But the group will be taking one game at a time, and that begins with week one Sunday Night Football in front of the home fans in a Wild Card game rematch against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.
