By Sunday 
Detroit’s Bold Proposal Challenges Tradition, Ignites League-Wide Debate
The Detroit Lions have done more than just roar this offseason—they’ve sparked a conversation that could fundamentally change the way the NFL postseason unfolds. With a bold proposal to implement open playoff seeding regardless of division wins, the Lions are testing the waters of fairness, competitiveness, and fan engagement in the league’s most watched stretch of the year.
And while Commissioner Roger Goodell didn’t call for a vote in March, that wasn’t a retreat. It was a strategic delay.
A Proposal Meant to Provoke
At the heart of Detroit’s proposition is a call for logic to finally outrank legacy.
Currently, NFL playoff seeding favors division winners—even if a team from another division has a better record. The Lions’ proposal flips that script, demanding that postseason slots be sorted solely by record. In essence, let the best teams rise, division crown or not.
The timing isn’t random. With the league eyeing an eventual shift to an 18-game season, managing rosters late in the schedule has never been trickier. Goodell knows this—and he’s quietly signaling support.
As one league source put it: “He didn’t have the votes. But he didn’t want it to die either.”
The Case for Open Seeding
To understand the momentum behind Detroit’s push, consider the data. Last season, five playoff teams rested their quarterbacks in Week 18. Why? They were locked into their seeds and knew the outcome of that final game wouldn’t change much.
But under the Lions’ plan, teams like the Texans, Rams, Packers, Commanders, and Eagles would’ve been fighting for home-field advantage in Week 18. That means higher stakes, more meaningful games, and better football in the final week.
Mike Lopez, the NFL’s senior director of football data and analytics, backed this idea with numbers. And if you ask anyone who loves the game, more competitive football when it matters most is always a win.
A Compromise on the Table
Open seeding isn’t a binary conversation. Some league insiders are floating a middle-ground idea: keep the current wild-card round as is, but reseed in the divisional round based on record.
Take last year, for example. Top-seeded Detroit ended up facing the 12-win Commanders, while the second-seeded Eagles had a much easier matchup against the 10-win Rams. A reseeding tweak would’ve pitted the Lions against the Rams, a matchup more reflective of each team’s regular season.
That kind of fairness doesn’t just make statistical sense—it reinforces effort through the season’s final whistle.
Goodell’s Calculated Patience
Roger Goodell isn’t known for impulsive moves. By delaying the vote until May’s owners’ meeting in Minneapolis, he’s buying time to build a broader coalition of support behind the Lions’ proposal.
The commissioner seems to believe in the principle here: inject purpose back into late-season games, and fans, coaches, and TV partners all win. Expect him to take a side in Minneapolis. And expect him to fight for it.
Beyond the Seeding Debate: Notes from Around the League
While playoff restructuring stole headlines, other developments shaped the NFL landscape this week.
The Los Angeles Rams unveiled plans for Rams Village, a state-of-the-art facility in Woodland Hills. Though it won’t be ready until 2028, the project signals the franchise’s long-term commitment to player development—and, inevitably, revenue.
Meanwhile, Wes Welker is returning to the NFL in a dual role with the Commanders, bridging scouting and coaching duties alongside GM Adam Peters and OC Kliff Kingsbury. His football IQ and deep institutional ties could be vital in shaping Washington’s new identity.
A Quarterback with Something to Prove
In Las Vegas, veteran QB Geno Smith isn’t letting age define him. At 34, he insists, “I’m stronger and faster than all these young guys,” brushing aside doubts while working with Tom Brady’s former body coach, Alex Guerrero.
Smith’s fire may be exactly what the Raiders need.
Looking Ahead
The debate over playoff seeding is far from over. In fact, it’s just getting started. Whether Detroit’s proposal wins out or a compromise takes root, one thing is clear: the Lions have forced the NFL to confront a postseason system that may be ready for evolution.
When the owners reconvene in May, football traditionalists will meet reformists head-on. And Goodell? He might just be leading the charge toward change.