Between 2011 and 2020, the Detroit Lions drafted nine defensive backs in the top three rounds, and yet never finished in the top 10 in defensive efficiency during that stretch. Add to that the exit of franchise cornerstones like Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson (who left the league at just 30 due to organizational fatigue), and this team was losing its identity. That began to shift under GM Brad Holmes, who joined in 2021 after 18 years with the Rams’ front office. 

Holmes brought with him a scouting blueprint that helped the Rams land and develop stars like Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald. Dan Campbell’s arrival the same year injected a brash tone to the franchise, but the early results were mixed: the Lions started 3-13-1. In 2022, the Lions gave up the most yards per game (392.4) and the most points (25.1) of any NFC team. They allowed opponents to convert 45.1% of third downs and recorded the third-fewest sacks (39) that season — all while their pass defense ranked 30th in DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. Even in 2023, when the team surged to a 12-5 record and made the NFC Championship Game, Detroit still allowed the fifth-most passing yards in the league and gave up 24 points or more in nine different games. Their red zone defense ranked 29th. The offense often had to drag the team through shootouts to survive.

This is a franchise that hasn’t had a top-10 defense and top-10 offense in the same season since 1997. It’s never had a quarterback ranked in the top 10 (by PFF) and a running back duo each ranked top 20 in the same year. And certainly not with a secondary that, until last season, was more known for being reshuffled than respected. So when a recent Sports Talk Detroit segment spotlighted three different positional groups as clear strengths heading into 2025 — defense, backfield, and quarterback — it wasn’t just good news; it was unprecedented.

First up? The defence. “This defence could be awesome.” And the host’s claim is far from baseless. At the centre of it? Aidan Hutchinson. The 6th-best edge rusher according to PFF, thanks to his 13.5 sacks and 84 total pressures in a curtailed 2024.

Once a rotating door of stopgap solutions, the secondary has undergone a full-scale rebuild. You’ve got DJ Reed and Amik Robertson, who held opposing QBs to a passer rating under 75 when targeted last season. Then there’s that rookie power: Terrion Arnold, Lions’ first-round pick. And with Jack Campbell developing quickly, and Alex Anzalone returning to full health? Detroit’s second level finally looks like it’s ready to take on the NFL.

There’s more. Second good news? The running backs. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for over 2,000 scrimmage yards in 2024. And PFF backs it. Both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery landed in the top 20 running backs heading into 2025, and honestly? That feels about right. Gibbs is coming off a breakout 2024 (over 1300 yards and 11 TDs), and he now enters with Pro Bowl expectations. And then there’s Montgomery, the perfect complement. Together, they make up for a perfect one-two punch and one of the best RB duos in the league.

Oh, the host was happy about one other thing. The Lions’ backfield is thriving. But D’Andre Swift? Not so much. The host joked that Swift once “shushed his own home crowd.” Yeah… he clearly hasn’t forgiven him yet. Now he’s with the Bears and didn’t even crack PFF’s top 32 backs. That’s after playing behind elite O-lines in both Detroit and Philly. The Lions moved on. Upgraded. Zero regrets.

And finally, the third good news? Jared Goff is finally getting the recognition he deserves. That’s now changed. Jared Goff comes in at No. 9 heading into 2025 — thanks to his 4,600-yard, 29-touchdown season, with just 8 picks and a 66% completion rate.

Throw in Hutchinson being named a top-6 edge rusher, and suddenly, Detroit’s not just a feel-good story; they are genuinely taking a strong shape on both sides of the ball. And when you compare this roster to last season? You’d understand just how far they have come.

A whole new look in Detroit

Much of this progress ties back to a more aggressive front-office approach. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell didn’t sit back and hope things would click. They moved on from underperformers, brought in veterans with defined roles, and made draft decisions that addressed immediate weaknesses without compromising long-term flexibility.

Gone are the “bend and break” nightmares that haunted Detroit’s secondary in 2023 and early 2024. Now? A solid unit at the backend. With guys like Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch rotating in and out both capable of switching between deep safety and nickel roles — the back end now offers schematic versatility, not just stopgaps.

On offense, Jameson Williams finally looks fully healthy, and it’s showing. He’s stepping up as a legit WR2 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. And for once, the Lions’ skill group looks like it has both ceiling and depth, not just one star surrounded by role players.

The culture Dan Campbell talked about back in 2021? All that grit, toughness, and yes, the famous kneecap quote, well, it doesn’t seem like empty talk anymore. It’s showing up in the roster structure, the player development curve, and the consistency of execution across units. And if you don’t feel that way right now, we get the feeling you might when September comes around.