**We’re Tired of Being Close. It’s Time to Finish.**
David Montgomery’s words cut to the heart of a frustration that has lingered in Detroit for far too long. “We’re tired of being close. It’s cool to be close at first, but you don’t want to get comfortable with being close all the time,” the Lions running back said Sunday at training camp. “You want to finish it. This is the year for us.”
For years, the Detroit Lions have been the NFL’s perennial “almost” team. They’ve teased their fanbase with flashes of brilliance, only to fall just short when it matters most. They’ve been competitive, even formidable at times, but the final step—the one that separates good teams from great ones—has remained frustratingly out of reach. Now, as the 2024 season looms, there’s a palpable sense that this team isn’t just hoping to take that step; they’re demanding it.
Detroit’s recent history is littered with near-misses. In 2023, the Lions roared to a 12-5 record, won the NFC North for the first time in three decades, and hosted a playoff game at Ford Field. They dominated the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round, only to collapse in agonizing fashion against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. A 24-7 halftime lead evaporated, and with it, Detroit’s best shot at a Super Bowl in franchise history slipped away.
That loss wasn’t just a defeat; it was a gut punch. For a franchise that has known so much heartbreak—from Barry Sanders’ abrupt retirement to the 0-16 season—the 2023 NFC Championship felt like another cruel twist of fate. But unlike past Lions teams, this group didn’t fracture under the weight of disappointment. Instead, they internalized it. They let it fester. And now, they’re channeling it into something far more dangerous: an unshakable belief that they *must* finish what they started.
The Lions didn’t just run it back with the same squad and hope for better luck. General Manager Brad Holmes aggressively addressed weaknesses in the offseason, doubling down on the trenches—the identity of this team. The offensive line, already one of the league’s best, returns intact. The defensive front added depth and versatility, ensuring that last year’s late-game defensive lapses won’t be repeated.
But the biggest difference may be in the team’s mentality. Montgomery’s comments reflect a locker room that has grown weary of moral victories. Quarterback Jared Goff, once written off as a bridge quarterback, has resurrected his career in Detroit and now plays with the quiet confidence of a leader who knows he belongs among the league’s elite. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and Aidan Hutchinson—all homegrown stars—embody the toughness and tenacity that define this team.
This isn’t a group that’s satisfied with playoff appearances or division titles. They’ve tasted success, and now they’re hungry for more. Dan Campbell EffecA lot of this mindset can be traced back to head coach Dan Campbell. When he was hired in 2021, his introductory press conference—complete with promises of biting kneecaps—was met with skepticism. But three years later, it’s clear that Campbell wasn’t just spouting empty platitudes. He’s built a culture of accountability, resilience, and unrelenting effort.
Campbell’s teams don’t just play hard; they *expect* to win. That belief has trickled down to every player in the locker room. There’s no fear of the moment, no hesitation when the lights are brightest. Last year’s playoff run proved that. The Lions didn’t just beat the Rams; they *out-toughed* them. They didn’t just compete with the 49ers; they *outplayed* them for 30 minutes before self-inflicted wounds cost them the game.
Now, the challenge is sustaining that intensity for four quarters, for 17 games, and—if all goes right—for a full postseason run.
The NFL is a league of windows. Rosters turn over, injuries happen, and opportunities vanish as quickly as they appear. The Lions know this. They’ve seen teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles rise to contention, only to stumble the following year. They’re determined not to let that happen.
This season isn’t just about proving last year wasn’t a fluke. It’s about cementing this era of Lions football as something historic. Detroit hasn’t won a championship since 1957. They’ve never even *been* to a Super Bowl. The city, starved for a winner, is ready to explode.
The players feel that energy. They hear it in the sold-out crowds at Ford Field. They see it in the way the city has embraced them. And they know that the time to deliver is now.
In years past, the Lions could point to inexperience, roster holes, or bad luck as reasons for coming up short. Not anymore. This team has everything it needs: elite talent, depth, coaching, and the right mentality. There are no more crutches to lean on.
Montgomery’s words weren’t just a rallying cry; they were a declaration. The Lions aren’t here to compete. They’re here to conquer.
“This is the year for us.”
And if they finish what they started, it could be the year that changes everything for Detroit.
