Getty Image / Patrick McDermott
The Detroit Lions were maybe as good as any story in the National Football League this year. The team is usually in the cellar of the league, but got out of it in a big way this year.
No, they did not make the playoffs like fellow cellar dwellers Jacksonville, but they came close. If the Seahawks had lost their week 18 game to the Los Angeles Rams, they would have been in the playoffs.
Still, it was a great season that ended with a 9-8 record. They won eight of their last ten, too, and played some really good football against some really good teams.
Head coach Dan Campbell seems to be a home run in his second year, and Jared Goff played pretty competent quarterback for the entire season. Amon-Ra St. Brown emerged as a star, and fellow wideout Jameson Williams came on strong when he returned from an ACL injury. Peneii Sewell looks every bit the franchise tackle the Lions thought he could be when he went in the top ten in the 2021 NFL draft. The defense was more of a struggle, but Aidan Hutchinson, who the team took 2nd overall in the 2022 draft, showed promise. And, the team has a ton of draft capital going forward and is in an NFC North that appears to be wide open for the foreseeable future.
And, they’ve received a huge boost, as highly sought-after offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be returning to the team.
#Lions OC Ben Johnson informed interested teams he’s staying in Detroit, per sources.
Johnson was slated to travel Wednesday to interview with the #Panthers. But he feels Detroit is building something special and wants to see it through. Should be a hot HC name again next year. pic.twitter.com/vUNLyKFtLf
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 18, 2023
Johnson is only 36, but is already an absolute superstar in coaching circles. Another year with Goff and the Lions could be in business and win the NFC North.