The Detroit Lions are still a powerhouse on paper, but they will be put to the test from day one.
Losing their top two assistant coaches could be a lethal blow, and the rest of the division keeps getting better.
Notably, that’s why former player Manti Te’o isn’t so sure about their status as the team to beat in the NFC North.
Talking on the NFL Network, Te’o recalled how the Philadelphia Eagles struggled when they lost both their coordinators one year after making the Super Bowl.
“When I look at this NFC North, are the [Detroit] Lions the clear favorite? By title, yes, but going into the 2025 season? No,” Te’o said.
Are the Lions still the Kings of the North?
Manti Te’o thinks that may not be the case next season. pic.twitter.com/MwALSoZofw
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 30, 2025
Dan Campbell had to reshape his coaching staff after offensive coordinator Ben Johnson signed with the Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn joined the New York Jets.
Coach Campbell’s reckless decision-making has raised concerns over and over, and while that over-aggressive approach has defined this team’s identity, not having his top two assistants could lead to disaster.
Moreover, Te’o believes the rest of the division will also have plenty of resources to make some noise.
The Bears got much better with a revamped offensive line and a massive improvement in the head coaching department.
The Minnesota Vikings are fresh off winning 14 games last season, and while J.J. McCarthy is a question mark, we’ve seen young quarterbacks dominate right out of the gate.
Last but not least, the Green Bay Packers are also a perennial contender out of the North.
The Lions are still stacked with talent and should be the early candidates to take the division again, but they will have their work cut out for them.
