The Detroit Lions' offense remained strong until the final seconds ticked off of the clock at Ford Field during their playoff loss to the Commanders and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson walked off of the field for the last time.
Johnson is now in Chicago as the Bears' head coach, but Lions fans have big expectations for the team in 2025-26 with John Morton taking over as the team's primary offensive play caller and plenty of star power in Motown.
On Tuesday, Lions TE Sam LaPorta turned heads with a "special" announcement from a world famous location as fans began predicting big things for the former Iowa star.
"Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride," LaPorta wrote on Instagram with a picture of he and his wife Callahan Dellinger LaPorta next to Pope Leo XIV.
"A special moment we'll never forget #catholic #popeleoxiv #catholicismrocks," he added before fans reacted.
"LaPorta is now blessed by the Pope. Record setting season incoming," lionsmemes wrote under the photo.
"I've seen enough the Pope has blessed our sweet TE1 and now he will be All-Pro," another fan added.
"My tight end got blessed by the pope he going for 1500 yards," another said with a crying emoji.
"Incredible!!! Congratulations and God bless you both!!!" another fan said.
"A few incredible people from Illinois!!!" another added.
Former Iowa tight end Luke Lachey added three pairs of praying hands emojis while former Michigan and current Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker also chimed in.
"Unreal bro, God bless you both," Schoonmaker said to the Lions tight end.
