The 2024 season for the Detroit Lions came to a disappointing halt in the Divisional Playoffs against the Washington Commanders after the Lions had the No. 1 seed and the first-round bye. 2025 is here and it's a fresh start for everyone and the Lions remain one of the favorites to get to Super Bowl LX in San Francisco next February. One example showing such is the latest power rankings, or a way-too-early set of rankings from ESPN.
ESPN's NFL Nation writers got together to rank the 32 teams following the first wave of free agency and the Lions check in at No. 3, behind the two teams that played in Super Bowl LIX, the No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs and the No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles. In addition to the ranks, each writer named their "under-the-radar" move from the offseason so far. ESPN's Eric Woodyard says the Lions' such move is hiring Tashard Choice as their new running backs coach.
"The Lions have completely revamped their coaching staff after eight assistants left to take new positions in the offseason. Choice will enter his first season as the Lions' new running backs coach, and Scottie Montgomery will change to wide receivers and assistant head coach. The addition of Choice is huge for Jahmyr Gibbs, who led the NFL in touchdowns (20) in 2024. Choice coached Gibbs at Georgia Tech from 2020 to '21 and the two developed a close relationship."
The Eagles and Lions are the only NFC teams in the top five of ESPN's rankings. The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens round out the top five.
The Lions have been at the doorstep the last two seasons. Early thoughts have them making one more run in 2025 and perhaps finally breaking the glass ceiling.
