The Detroit Lions have emerged as one of the most compelling stories in the NFL over the past three years, undergoing a transformation from perpetual underperformers to one of the NFC's elite teams. This dramatic turnaround reached a pinnacle in the 2023 season, when the Lions not only clinched the NFC North title for the first time in decades, but also made an impactful playoff run.
During the 2023 season, the Lions did what many fans had long awaited—they won their first playoff game since 1991. The team came agonizingly close to securing a spot in the Super Bowl after a valiant effort in the NFC Championship Game. The transformation has been attributed largely to the leadership of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes.
Key Figures in the Turnaround
Campbell and Holmes have been credited with instilling a new culture of toughness, strategy, and resilience within the organization. Under their guidance, the Lions have made strategic moves that have reaped significant dividends, most notably the strengthening of their offensive line. The roots of this robust line, however, can be traced back to the preceding regime.
Matt Patricia, who served as the Lions' head coach from 2018 until mid-2020, and former general manager Bob Quinn played pivotal roles in laying the foundation. Among their notable contributions was drafting center Frank Ragnow in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Ragnow has since evolved into a cornerstone of the Lions' offensive line.
Building a Fortress Up Front
Patricia and Quinn's era also saw the presence of key players such as Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow. Although Glasgow was not re-signed by the duo in 2019, their efforts to shore up the offensive line did not go unnoticed. Post-Patricia, the additions of Penei Sewell through the draft and Kevin Zeitler via free agency further solidified the offensive line into one of the league’s best units.
Bill Belichick, during his appearance on the "Let's Go" podcast, praised the foundation built by Patricia. "I think that the Lions have built a really good offensive line for their quarterback, and they couldn't get a lot of production in the red area last week, but that's something that Matt Patricia started and now they're kind of getting the fruits of the labor from him," Belichick said.
A New Era of Success
The combination of existing talent and new acquisitions brought a new era of success to Detroit. The fortified offensive line has provided the necessary protection for the quarterback, affording the offense more opportunities to execute and sustain drives. This change has not only improved the Lions' standing but has also rekindled hope and enthusiasm among their dedicated fan base.
The 2023 season's success can be seen as the fruition of careful planning and strategic moves over several years. While individuals like Campbell and Holmes have received much-deserved accolades for the present resurgence, the contributions of Patricia, Quinn, and the players they brought in also deserve recognition as part of the broader narrative.
As the Lions look to build on their impressive 2023 season, they carry with them the lessons learned from past challenges and the momentum gained from recent triumphs. The fortified offensive line, a testament to years of strategic planning, stands as one of the key pillars supporting their rise. Detroit's journey from underachievers to contenders may have taken time, but the foundation laid over several years is proving to be a solid one on which to build future success.