HOT TAKE: The Detroit Lions Are Only Three Smart Moves Away From Finally Winning That Elusive First Super Bowl Title

The Detroit Lions are closer to a Super Bowl than most people are ready to admit. For a franchise so often defined by heartbreak, rebuilding years, and dashed playoff hopes, that sentence feels surreal. But it’s time to shake the narrative and look at reality — this team is built to contend, and the gap between “close” and “champion” is narrower than it has ever been in decades.

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have methodically transformed Detroit from a perennial afterthought into a legitimate NFL power. Back-to-back playoff runs, NFC North domination, and a roster bursting with young stars like Aidan Hutchinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown have energized the fanbase. Add in the veteran presence of Jared Goff at quarterback and a defense that steadily improved in 2024, and Detroit isn’t just “on the rise” — they’re knocking on the door.

But as any Lions fan will tell you, talent isn’t always enough. The margins at the NFL’s highest level are razor-thin, and to survive the gauntlet of a full season, the postseason, and ultimately lift the Lombardi Trophy, Detroit must address a few glaring holes.

The good news? The Lions don’t need a rebuild, they don’t need a miracle, and they certainly don’t need to overhaul the foundation that’s been built. They are simply three smart, calculated moves away from turning contender status into championship reality. And with 2025 Training Camp just weeks away, the blueprint is right in front of them.

Here’s the simple checklist for the Lions to complete before Week 1 if they want to parade down Woodward Avenue in February.

1. Resolve the Interior Offensive Line Uncertainty

The retirement of center Frank Ragnow was a gut punch for the franchise — both emotionally and from a pure football perspective. Ragnow, one of the league’s premier centers, was the anchor of Detroit’s offensive line and a vocal leader in the locker room. His exit, coupled with veteran guard Kevin Zeitler signing with the Titans, has left the interior O-line in flux.

The Lions have options, but questions linger. Graham Glasgow could slide over to center, and second-year guard Christian Mahogany has flashed potential, but betting solely on internal development is risky — especially with Super Bowl aspirations on the line.

The front office’s solution should be clear: Add a proven veteran interior lineman before camp concludes. Someone with playoff experience, positional versatility, and the ability to stabilize protection for Goff. Whether through free agency or a strategic trade, fortifying the trenches is non-negotiable. With their elite tackle duo of Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker still intact, shoring up the interior transforms this offensive line back into one of the league’s best — and that’s vital if Detroit wants to play deep into January.

2. Secure Another Impact Pass Rusher

Aidan Hutchinson has blossomed into one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive ends, but championship defenses are never built on one star alone. The Lions’ pass rush, while improved, remains inconsistent beyond Hutchinson, particularly after parting ways with veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith this offseason.

If Detroit wants to slow down the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, or any elite quarterback they’ll encounter in the playoffs, they need waves of pressure — not just flashes. Adding another legitimate pass rusher opposite Hutchinson turns this defense from good to great.

Fortunately, the market still holds intriguing options. Whether they rekindle talks with Za’Darius Smith, explore veterans like Emmanuel Ogbah, or lean on potential trade candidates stuck on rebuilding teams, the Lions must act. Rookie rusher Mekhi Wingo brings upside, but Detroit can’t pin its hopes on unproven talent alone. Veterans win championships, and another edge presence to complement Hutchinson creates the type of ferocious front four that fuels Super Bowl-caliber defenses.

3. Elevate the Cornerback Room With One More Reliable Starter

D.J. Reed’s arrival was a quietly savvy move by Holmes, bringing much-needed stability to the secondary. But Detroit’s cornerback group remains dangerously thin if injuries strike or young players falter.

Brian Branch is an ascending star in the slot, and Cam Sutton, when healthy, can hold his own. But with Sutton battling injuries last season and young depth still unproven, the Lions would be wise to secure one more boundary corner — preferably someone with playoff reps and the versatility to play inside or outside.

Remember, Detroit’s path to a Super Bowl likely runs through high-powered offenses like San Francisco, Philadelphia, or even Dallas. They’ll face elite receiving corps, creative play-callers, and quarterbacks who feast on mismatches. Depth in the secondary is critical.

Bringing in one more veteran corner — someone like Stephon Gilmore, Steven Nelson, or a surprise cap casualty from another contender — could be the final defensive piece that elevates Detroit into a true top-10 unit.

The Window is Wide Open — But Time is of the Essence

The reality for the Lions is simple: Their Super Bowl window is now. They possess the offensive firepower, a rapidly ascending defense, and the type of culture that breeds postseason resilience. But standing pat and hoping existing talent “figures it out” is how teams fall short.

Look at the blueprint successful franchises have followed — Kansas City adding Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu before their title run, Tampa Bay signing veteran depth on defense before hoisting the Lombardi, or the Rams aggressively filling gaps en route to their Super Bowl LVI victory. Championships are won by teams that fine-tune rosters, not those that coast on potential.

Brad Holmes has proven he can strike late in the offseason when the opportunity presents itself. Whether that’s monitoring training camp cuts, leveraging draft capital for veteran help, or simply making one more savvy free-agent signing, Detroit holds the cards.

If the Lions:

• Solidify the interior offensive line

• Add another proven pass rusher

• Bolster the cornerback room with veteran depth

…there will be no more “almost” narratives in Motown. Instead, they’ll be mentioned alongside true Super Bowl favorites, with the talent, toughness, and depth required to survive the NFL’s most brutal playoff gauntlet.

It’s a wild statement for a fanbase conditioned to heartbreak, but here’s the undeniable truth: The Detroit Lions are three smart moves away from a Super Bowl. That’s not hype — it’s a calculated, roster-based reality backed by ascending young stars, elite coaching, and an NFC that is wide open behind the top-tier contenders.

Training Camp is the proving ground. The moves made — or ignored — in the coming weeks will define whether this version of the Lions becomes just another “what if” team or the group that finally delivers a Lombardi Trophy to Detroit.

For the first time in decades, Lions fans have permission to dream — and those dreams might be just three signings away from becoming reality.