Behind the Roar: A SWOT Spotlight on the Detroit Lions

 

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP

By Nate McCray

As the summer sun beats down on Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, the Detroit Lions will kick off their 2025 campaign with a nationally televised clash against the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL Hall of Fame Game. More than just a preseason tune-up, the upcoming July 31st, 8 p.m. matchup will serve as a symbolic milestone for a franchise on the rise—honoring its storied past while showcasing the momentum of a team aiming for championship relevance. With Hall of Fame weekend drawing legends and fans from around the league, eyes will be on Detroit to see how head coach Dan Campbell’s retooled roster sets the tone for what could be a defining season in Lions history.

The Lions are no longer the punchline of the NFL—they’re the protagonists of one of the league’s most compelling stories. Fresh off a resurgent 2024 campaign that saw them within reach of a Super Bowl berth before losing to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round, Dan Campbell’s pride of Lions is poised to make even louder noise in 2025. But with raised expectations comes greater scrutiny. My SWOT analysis breaks down the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats that define Detroit’s path from playoff contender to potential championship dynasty.

Strengths are apparent early during an NFL season.  Dan Campbell has done more than just bite kneecaps—he's engineered a mindset shift. Last season, Detroit played with an edge rooted in toughness, unity, and unrelenting belief. That cultural cornerstone fuels their success even when talent gaps exist.

In 2024, Amon-Ra St. Brown cemented himself as a top 10 receiver, snagging 115 receptions for 1,263 receiving yards and 12 touchdown receptions. Jahmyr Gibbs is literally a home-run threat as he logged in 1,412 yards rushing on 16 rushing touchdowns last season, while Sam LaPorta is rewriting the tight ends expectations with his 60-reception campaign last year.  Add in Penei Sewell and Aidan Hutchinson returning from injury, and Detroit has a budding nucleus of All-Pro-caliber players on both sides of the ball. 

Weaknesses.  What will they be for Detroit this coming season?  During the 2024 season, the Lions’ offense was a calculated wrecking ball—physical in the trenches, creative in the passing game, and surgical in red zone execution.  But with former Lions offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson leaving for the head coach position with the Chicago Bears, the question will be, can Jared Goff continue to thrive under a new offensive coordinator, and can the Lions continue to display a system that balances tempo, misdirection, and heavy personnel packages.  Goff did silence many critics last season, but questions still linger about his ability to go toe-to-toe with the NFL’s elite quarterbacks in shootouts. The Lions need him to elevate when defenses clamp down and improvisation becomes necessary. 

Despite offseason additions, Detroit’s secondary remains inconsistent. Cornerbacks Cam Sutton's departure and Emmanuel Moseley’s recovery raises concerns about how well this group can hold up against elite passing attacks—especially come playoff time.  Injuries to core players could derail momentum, particularly on defense where proven reserves are scarce.

Opportunities exist heading into the 2025 season.  With the Eagles regressing and the 49ers entering a cap-constrained future, the Lions are uniquely positioned to seize the NFC crown. The conference is wider open than it’s been in years.  Defensive cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. offer upside at a position of need. If even one of them plays at a high level early, it changes the ceiling of Detroit’s defense dramatically.  There’s electricity in Detroit again. In 2024, fans packed Ford Field with playoff-level energy every week, and it translated to results.

Threats also exist with just about every team in the NFL.  Detroit is no longer sneaking up on anyone. National media was picking them. Vegas was backing them. The pressure to win—and win big—can unravel even the most promising teams if egos or complacency creep in.  The Lions’ formula relies on a handful of elite players executing consistently. If Gibbs, Hutchinson, or Sewell were to miss time, the domino effect could be steep—especially with a thin defensive rotation.  The Green Bay Packers are ascending with quarterback Jordan Love. The Chicago Bears are retooling with new head coach, Ben Johnson.  The Minnesota Vikings, while reloading, is never an easy out with head coach Kevin O'Connell at the helm. Division games will be wars—and any slip-ups could cost Detroit crucial seeding.

The Final Take: The Lions are no longer rebuilding. They’re contending. But sustaining success in the NFL is about more than highlight plays and momentum, it’s about navigating attrition, evolving tactically, and mentally embracing the weight of expectation.

If the Lions can stay healthy, solve their defensive inconsistencies, and maintain the fire that got them here, they won’t just compete, they’ll dominate. This is their window. It’s up to them whether they roar through it—or let it slam shut.