Detroit enters 2025 facing significant turnover—both positional and schematic. Offensive and defensive coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn left, and beloved center Frank Ragnow retired . This “brain drain” could test the team’s identity, but the core remains strong.
Key factors:
Coaching continuity: Coach Dan Campbell has instilled a resilient culture, and new coordinators John Morton (OC) and Kelvin Sheppard (DC) already draw from systems built in Detroit . With Campbell’s leadership and internal hires, the transition could be smoother than anticipated .
Stable roster base: Despite losses, the Lions retain foundational talent—Sewell, Goff, St. Brown, Gibbs, Hutchinson—and key depth pieces. Most fans (75%) and oddsmakers still view them as playoff favorites .
Regression warning signs: Analysts highlight risk factors: heavy coordinator and OL turnover, tough schedule, and the difficulty of repeating a 15‑2 season . This aligns with historical “one-score game” regression trends and betting markets that now see value in betting against Detroit making the playoffs .
🟢 Why they could still contend
Coaching adaptations remain in-house, limiting disruption.
Healthier defense and effective replacements should sustain momentum.
Strong fan and market confidence supports external expectations.
🔴 Risks to monitor
Midseason growing pains as new staff and offensive line settle.
Depth concerns, especially along the OL without Ragnow.
Pressure-packed schedule full of challenging matchups.
Bottom line: The Lions are still firmly in Super Bowl conversation, but 2025 may be their most precarious season yet. If Morton and Sheppard land quickly, and the offensive line holds together, Detroit can build on last year’s success. But fading in key areas could expose the weaknesses that typically undo deep playoff teams.
Lions Losing Key Pieces — But Is Their Super Bowl Window Still Wide Open?
