Where do Buccaneers rank among division winners likely to repeat in 2024?
By Brad Smith
No. 6: Detroit Lions
After decades of disappointment and struggle, Detroit burst onto the national scene with a remarkable 2023 season. Highlighted by a franchise-best 12–5 record and .706 winning percentage, their best since 1991, the Lions advanced to the NFC Championship game under head coach Dan Campbell, defeating Los Angeles and Tampa Bay in the playoffs to get there.
Last season's success didn't stop general manager Brad Holmes from seeking ways to upgrade the roster this offseason. With close to $61 in cap space, Detroit signed offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, defensive end Marcus Davenport, and defensive tackle DJ Reader, re-signed wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and guard Graham Glasgow, and traded for Tampa Bay cornerback Carlton Davis III.
While they only had six picks in the draft, Detroit made the most of it, finding value in each round they picked in. Detroit aided their secondary with their top two picks of the draft, selecting Alabama corner Terrion Arnold and Missouri corner Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in rounds one and two. The Lions added help on the offensive line with British Columbia's Giovanni Manu and Boston College's Christian Mahogany, along with Utah running back and safety Sione Vaki.
This time around, Detroit isn't as locked in as the favorites to win the division. The Packers, with a 9-8 record, almost upset the 49ers in the NFC Divisional round, while seeing quarterback Jordan Love enjoy a career year, throwing for 4,159 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 96.1 passer rating. Coupled with the signings of Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney in free agency and rookies Javon Bullard, Edgerrin Cooper, and MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay will may make a suprise run this season.
Meanwhile, Chicago has built a sneaky good supporting cast around first-overall pick Caleb Williams, headlined by wide receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze, who looks to elevate the Bears to their first playoff appearance since 2020. Lastly, Minnesota enters 2024 with rookie JJ McCarthy replacing veteran Kirk Cousins, but will have Justin Jefferson to throw to under head coach Kevin O' Connell, and may break out in his debut season in the NFL.