Detroit Lions continue to be doormat of NFL

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Sunny South News

By Cole Parkinson
Sunny South News

The Detroit Lions are one of the most baffling teams in all of North American pro sports.

While most teams in pro sports experience some kind of downtime where they find themselves at the bottom of the standings, the Lions have been the doormat of the NFL for what seems like 20 years. Sure, they made Wild Card appearances in 2016, 2014, and 2011 (they lost all three), but let’s be honest, the Detroit Lions are a badly run organization.

I don’t claim to be an NFL expert or anything, but whether you’re a diehard NFL fan or a casual fan, you can see the Lions desperately need a restart. With the 2021 season already over, and the Lions looking like they’ll be selecting in the top three in the coming draft, it’s almost certain the team will be getting a great player.

After trading Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason for Jared Goff first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, and a 2021 third-round pick, I’m sure there was a slim margin of hope from fans that Goff would come in and be at least a solid starter for the team. But, Goff has been pretty mediocre in his first season as a Lion, but it’s not all his fault. The team around him is just as culpable in the reason the Lions stink as he is. Goff did lead the team to their first win on the season against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13 where he threw for 296 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. That win snapped the Lions’ current 15 game losing streak.

But, Lions fans have to be hopping for more losses as the season continues. And why wouldn’t they? A number one selection in the coming draft would be the best part of another lost season. Draft projectors peg Aidan Hutchinson, a Michigan Wolverines defensive end, as the most likely pick for Detroit if they do in fact get the first overall pick.

Since Dec. 10, Hutchinson has posted 55 total tackles, including 15 tackles for a loss, and 13.5 sacks in 12 games.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, an Oregon Ducks defensive end, is another name that is supposed to be near the top of the 2022 draft.

Whichever way the Lions go, I think it’s safe to say they’ll get a great player that will immediately make the roster. The problem continues to be the rest of the team.

It’s hard to completely overhaul a roster in one offseason, so I think it’s safe to assume this team will continue to be a bottom feeder next season. And it really is too bad because Lions’ fans deserve much better. They continue to support this awful team year after year with no real end date in sight in terms of when they’ll finally become a contending team.