DETROIT – Dan Campbell believes the Detroit Lions still have a window to win the Super Bowl after their loss to the Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The top-seeded Lions suffered a shocking defeat Saturday at the hands of the No. 6 seed Commanders. After a historic 15-2 regular season, the Lions were the betting favorites to reach and win their first-ever Super Bowl.
But the end was swift. And cruel.
Washington took advantage of five turnovers and a decimated defense to leave Ford Field with a 45-31 win. For Lions fans who thought this was finally the year, it’s a difficult pill to swallow.
Campbell knows everyone is disappointed, but he said this is not the end.
“Yeah, I do (believe the window is open),” Campbell said. “I do. You talk about that core -- that core group is still intact, and some of these guys are now -- we’ve signed some back, some are up on contracts, and that’ll be ongoing.”
Lions contract breakdown
He’s right: The majority of Detroit’s top young players are locked up for at least two more seasons.
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are both under team control through 2027 -- Montgomery with three more years on his contract and Gibbs with two years on his rookie deal, with a team option for 2027.
Amon-Ra St. Brown received a record-breaking extension last offseason and is locked up through at least 2028. No. 2 wide receiver Jameson Williams has one more year on his rookie deal and a club option for 2026.
Sam LaPorta has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
On the offensive line, four of this year’s five starters are signed through at least the next two years, with the exception of Kevin Zeitler. Superstar tackle Penei Sewell signed an extension through 2029.
Aidan Hutchinson will be back in 2025 with a club option for 2026, and Alim McNeill received a four-year extension during the season. D.J. Reader and Za’Darius Smith are both signed through next season.
Alex Anzalone is signed through 2025, and former first-rounder Jack Campbell has two more years before a club option for 2027.
In the secondary, Terrion Arnold will be in Detroit for three or four more years, and Brian Branch is under contract through 2026. Amik Robertson and Kerby Joseph are both under contract for next season.
And yes, Jared Goff will be around, too. He struggled in the playoff loss, but the Lions are fortunate to have a proven quarterback locked up for the next four seasons.
Why Campbell feels good about future
Looking at all those names, the Lions should be a Super Bowl contender for at least a few more years.
As much as fans are hurting in the wake of that loss, the future is bright.
“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,” Campbell said. “And we’ve got that. We’ve got players at every pivotal position you could ask for to have success, and those guys are made the right way.
“So absolutely that window is open.”
You can watch Campbell’s full briefing here:
