Former Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Boldly Claims 2024 Team Would’ve Won Super Bowl If They Stayed Fully Healthy

The Detroit Lions’ magical 2024 NFL season ended one win short of a Super Bowl appearance, but according to one of their former receivers, it could’ve—and should’ve—ended with a Lombardi Trophy.

In a recent interview, former Lions wideout Golden Tate, who spent several productive seasons in Detroit and remains a close observer of the franchise, made a bold claim that has sparked conversations across NFL circles: “If that team stays healthy, they win the whole thing.”

While Tate no longer dons the Honolulu Blue, his passion for the team he once called home is as strong as ever. Speaking on a podcast episode of “The 33rd Team,” the veteran wide receiver didn’t mince words. “I watched them all year, and they were explosive, gritty, and physical. The only thing that held them back in the playoffs was health,” he said. “Had they been at full strength, I truly believe the Lions would be celebrating a Super Bowl title right now.”

Tate’s comment came in response to a segment analyzing the NFC Championship Game collapse against the San Francisco 49ers, a contest in which the Lions blew a 17-point halftime lead. But the former Pro Bowl pass-catcher said there’s more to the story than a few missed plays and coaching decisions.

He pointed to injuries on both sides of the ball that hampered Detroit’s ability to maintain momentum and execute their aggressive style of play—most notably, the absence or limitation of key contributors like tight end Sam LaPorta, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, guard Jonah Jackson, and edge rusher James Houston.

“When you look at what that team had going into the playoffs and then who they had to go into battle with when it mattered most, it’s night and day,” Tate said. “You can’t lose those kinds of guys and expect to play the same. And I’m not even talking about the big names like [Amon-Ra] St. Brown and [Jared] Goff—those guys did what they could. But football is the ultimate team sport. Everyone’s got to pull their weight, and injuries really stripped the Lions of that balance.”

There’s little doubt that Detroit’s 2024 run was one of the most thrilling stories of the NFL season. Under head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions finished 12-5, won their first division title since 1993, and clinched multiple playoff victories for the first time in three decades. Their postseason included a dramatic Wild Card win over the Rams and a thrilling shootout victory in the Divisional Round against the Buccaneers.

But their magical journey ended in heartbreak at Levi’s Stadium, where the 49ers outscored them 27-7 in the second half to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LVIII. The loss was difficult for fans and players alike to digest, especially after holding such a commanding lead at halftime. For Tate, however, the second-half collapse wasn’t about grit or composure—it was about depth.

“You’ve got guys running on fumes out there,” he said. “You lose your starting left guard, your most reliable red-zone weapon in LaPorta isn’t himself, and on defense, you don’t have the speed off the edge to close out games like you had during the regular season. Those little margins? That’s what separates contenders from champions.”

Tate’s perspective is especially notable because he knows the grind of wearing the Lions uniform during the franchise’s darker days. Acquired in 2014, he was one of the bright spots during a time when postseason appearances were rare. In fact, the 2024 run was only the Lions’ second playoff appearance since Tate’s last in 2016. That context, combined with his understanding of the city’s hunger for success, lends weight to his words.

“This is a fan base that’s waited generations for a shot like this,” Tate said. “And what those guys did this year was special. I’ve got no doubt they’ll be back—and they’ll be better for it. But this year? If they had all their guys? That trophy’s in Detroit.”

He’s not alone in that belief. Multiple analysts, including ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky and FOX Sports’ Emmanuel Acho, have pointed to Detroit as a team on the rise that had a legitimate Super Bowl window in 2024. The argument: when firing on all cylinders, the Lions had one of the league’s most balanced rosters. Goff played arguably the best football of his career, St. Brown established himself as a top-tier WR1, rookie standout Jahmyr Gibbs added electric playmaking, and the offensive line, when healthy, was among the best in the NFL.

On defense, first-round pick Brian Branch emerged as a versatile weapon in the secondary, and linebacker Alex Anzalone provided leadership and consistency. But depth issues on the defensive line and in the backfield became glaring as the season progressed, especially with the team missing multiple starters for chunks of the postseason.

“By the time they got to San Francisco, they were duct-taping the game plan together,” Tate said. “And they almost pulled it off. That tells you everything you need to know about how good that team really was.”

The Lions’ offseason moves suggest the front office agrees. General manager Brad Holmes has worked tirelessly to address the depth concerns that emerged late in the season. Detroit added defensive reinforcements in the draft, signed free agents to shore up the secondary, and bolstered the interior offensive line with experienced depth pieces. The team also expects a full return from LaPorta and Houston, which could swing the tide in 2025.

Campbell, known for his honest and fiery demeanor, hasn’t shied away from acknowledging the pain of last season’s near-miss. “It hurts because we were right there,” he said at season’s end. “But we’re not done. This team has more to give.”

Golden Tate agrees.

“If they use this the right way, if they keep that edge, there’s nothing stopping them from finishing the job next year,” he said. “Detroit’s time is coming. It might’ve already been here if they had stayed healthy.”

Whether or not the Lions would have won the Super Bowl in 2024 is a hypothetical that can’t be proven. But Tate’s confidence reflects a growing belief around the league: the Lions are no longer a team to pity. They’re a team to fear.

And as they gear up for another run in 2025, that belief could be the fuel they need to finally take the next step.

One thing is certain: no one is taking the Lions lightly anymore.

As the team reported for offseason workouts and set their sights on the upcoming campaign, players echoed the same message that Tate delivered. LaPorta told reporters in May, “We felt like we had it, and we’re going to be back. Health, execution, everything—it’s all on the table. We’re hungry for more.”

Even Jared Goff, normally reserved with bold proclamations, hinted at the team’s drive. “We know what we’re capable of. We know what last year could’ve been. And we’re going to work like hell to make it happen.”

Tate, watching from afar, couldn’t be more excited. “That city, that team, those fans—they deserve this. And when it finally happens, no one will say it was a fluke. They’ll say it was destiny delayed by injuries. That’s all.”

In a league built on parity and shaped by razor-thin margins, Tate’s words carry both weight and warning: don’t underestimate the power of a healthy Lions roster. Because if everything clicks in 2025, Detroit might just turn Tate’s hypothetical into reality—and bring the long-awaited championship home.