Detroit Lions 2024 NFL Offseason Primer

Exploring the main offseason storylines surrounding the Lions.

The Detroit Lions tasted the highest levels of success during the 2023 season. Ultimately, though, they came up short of their biggest goal. 

Entering the offseason on the heels of a 34-31 loss in the NFC Championship game, there will undoubtedly be a hunger to avenge this year's setback. It will be a challenge, but the organization can certainly build on the momentum they've built over the last two campaigns. 

Here is a primer for the Lions' 2024 offseason. 

1.) Reasons for hope

The Lions have nailed each of the first three under general manager Brad Holmes, so they now have a plethora of young talent under team control. Detroit has undergone a complete rebuild in just three years under Holmes, owner Sheila Hamp, team president Rod Wood and coach Dan Campbell. 

Now, that rebuild is over. The Lions have built up plenty of good will over the last year and a half, so there should be plenty of trust in the efforts of Holmes and Campbell to continue to add to this roster. 

With this nucleus in place, there should be plenty of optimism surrounding the team's future. Many of the team's top contributors on both sides of the ball are under contract for at least next season. 

Given Holmes' knack for scouting and Campbell's careful method of adding players who precisely fit the culture, it's hard to imagine the momentum generated by the Lions this season will change next year. 

2.) Reasons to worry

While the Lions proved to be a legitimate title contender with their performance in the playoffs, the run came to an untimely end in a second half collapse against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. 

Detroit has the infrastructure to be a consistent participant in the postseason and make charges toward a Super Bowl, but this consistency is hard to develop in the NFL. 

Campbell admitted as much in his postgame press conference Sunday, stating that reaching the heights the team achieved this year will be "twice as hard" next season. 

The NFC North division is also set to reload. Green Bay seems to have indeed found a star in quarterback Jordan Love, who is surrounded by talented young receivers. 

Minnesota has a decision to make at quarterback but had one of the league's best defenses, and Chicago is once again armed with valuable Draft capital including the No. 1 overall pick. 

The Lions are now tasked with adjusting to life as the hunted as opposed to the hunter. How they respond to this new target on their back will determine how their season pans out in 2024. 

3.) Biggest question

How will the Lions navigate their first offseason as true contenders? After battling their way to the NFC Championship game, there are a number of decisions to be made with regards to the roster that will shape the future. 

For starters, quarterback Jared Goff is due for a hefty extension. He's not the only one, as star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell are all entering the final year of their current contracts. 

The Lions will likely add a year to Sewell's current deal by picking up his fifth-year option, but they don't have that luxury with St. Brown as he was a fourth-round pick. As a result, plenty of extensions could be in store for this offseason. 

Detroit's current cap situation has them with an estimated $58 million in cap space for this upcoming offseason. However, with so many players due for extensions, it will be intriguing to see whether Holmes issues many long-term commitments to external free agents. 

4.) Key free agents

• S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
• G Graham Glasgow
• G Jonah Jackson
• DE Charles Harris
• WR Josh Reynolds
• DE Romeo Okwara

Detroit Lions' 2024 Offseason Calendar

5.) The Jared Goff dilemma

One of the biggest priorities this offseason will be a new contract for Jared Goff, who's current deal expires after the upcoming season. It's highly unlikely that he will not be extended this offseason, as both parties have expressed interest in getting a deal done. 

Now, the question remains how much to pay the veteran quarterback. Statistically, he was one of the league's best. He ranked second in passing yards and fourth in passing touchdowns while leading the Lions on a historic season. 

The market for quarterbacks continues to increase with each season. Joe Burrow reset the standard by inking a contract worth $55 million annually. 

6.) Staff shake up? 

As of Tuesday, there are only two open head coaching positions in this year's hiring cycle. Both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have been popular throughout the process and could be in play for either the Washington or Seattle vacancies. 

Though the odds are strong that at least one of, if not both, of them will be back with Detroit in 2024, there's a chance that the organization will have to replace either Johnson, Glenn or both next season. 

As evidenced by the Philadelphia Eagles' struggles after losing both coordinators this season, it can be difficult for teams to maintain high levels of performance after changing coordinators. 

If Johnson leaves, internal candidates to replace him could include running backs coach Scottie Montgomery and passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Meanwhile, Kelvin Sheppard is a popular internal candidate should Glenn land a head coaching job. 

Additionally, the Lions' position coaches have been popular amongst other vacancies across the league. The New England Patriots requested to interview Engstrand for their offensive coordinator position, while the Buccaneers interviewed Antwaan Randle El for their offensive coordinator role. 

With success comes attention, and Detroit's coaching staff has a strong reputation around the league. 

7.) Biggest offseason needs

Defense remains an area for concern for the Lions. Their explosive offense masked some concerns, but the secondary in particular was exposed late in the season. The cornerback position didn't provide the necessary production.

The pass-rush also struggled. Aidan Hutchinson was a dominating force and led the league in pressures, but he was also met with plenty of extra attention from opponents and needed a strong finish to the season to surpass a double digit sacks. 

As a result, the Lions would benefit from adding another solid player to their pass rush. 

Offensively, depth on the interior offensive line and the receiver position are among the biggest areas to target.