A lot of people questioned Brad Holmes and the Lions after the 2023 NFL Draft because of some of their picks, specifically early on. Two picks that people question because of how early they were taken were Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta. Holmes ended up looking like a genius after the season because of how well those two rookies ended up playing. They were two of the best rookies in the entire league, and it really showed that Holmes is one of the best GMs in the NFL. That rookie class was crucial to the success that the Lions found last season, and they will be crucial going forward as well. Detroit has a great young core of players.
Those rookies last season were not only huge during the regular season, but they stepped up big time in the playoffs for the Lions as well. It was impressive to see from players that had never been on that stage before. There was no moment that was too big for them, and they played a crucial role in the playoff run that Detroit went on.
After taking down the Rams and the Buccaneers, the Lions were just one win away from going to the Super Bowl. They hit the road to take on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, and Detroit came out firing on all cylinders. The Lions dominated the first half and they found themselves with a 17-point lead in the third quarter of the game. Unfortunately for Detroit, things began to unravel after that.
The Lions 17-point lead quickly vanished after a 49ers touchdown followed by an immediate Detroit fumble. San Francisco eventually got the lead and they never looked back, and they ended up going to the Super Bowl. It was a tough way for the season to end for the Lions, but it was still very promising and the future is looking bright.
Lions fans had been waiting for a season like that for a long time, and the city of Detroit needed it badly. The Lions seem poised for success next season as well, and the future as a whole looks bright after their deep playoff run. Detroit has never won a Super Bowl, so while last year was great, the next step is getting over the hump and bringing that trophy back to the Motor City for the first time.
