ALLEN PARK >> The Detroit Lions weren’t able to get over the hump and win the Super Bowl this season.
That doesn’t mean they’ll never be able to do it.
Head coach Dan Campbell believes his team is still primed to make a run at the franchise’s first championship since 1957, whether that’s next season or in the years following.
The window is open, Campbell says, because of the caliber of players the Lions have on their roster.
“We talk about that core,” Campbell said Monday. “That core group is still intact. … I think the most important thing is, you want to know you’ve got your culture, you’ve got your identity and you’ve got players that fit into that.
“We’ve got that. We’ve got it.”
The Lions are in a good spot from a personnel standpoint.
Of the 22 offensive and defensive starters at the beginning of the 2024 campaign, 18 are on the books for next season; the exceptions are right guard Kevin Zeitler, wide receiver Tim Patrick, defensive end Marcus Davenport and cornerback Carlton Davis III.
Detroit also has a few rising pieces who could feasibly jump into starting roles, if needed.
Rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany looked promising in his two starts this season — including in the divisional round against the Washington Commanders on Saturday — and first-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. revealed Sunday he was supposed to start in Week 2, but he suffered an injury in pregame warmups.
The Lions, who won a franchise-record 15 games in 2024, have good reason to be confident.
“We’ve got players in every pivotal position you can ask for to have success, and those guys are made the right way,” Campbell said. “So, absolutely, our window is open.”