“You’re not hiding from anyone!” Lions HC Dan Campbell admits telling his players this may be the last realistic opportunity to win Super Bowl before heartbreaking loss

Campbell knows the 2024 season will be hard for the Lions because other teams will be prepared.

“You’re not hiding from anyone!” Lions HC Dan Campbell admits telling his players this may be the last realistic opportunity to win Super Bowl before heartbreaking loss

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during post game press conference after losing to the 49ers in NFC Championship game (Screengrab YouTube)

Dan Campbell was heartbroken after the final whistle at Levi’s Stadium. The Detroit Lions were so close to booking a ticket to Vegas and playing their first-ever Super Bowl. But missed field goals, dropped catches, and unnecessary penalties took the game away from their hands.

The defeat was a punch in the gut because they blew a 17-point halftime lead to lose the game 31-34. Campbell knows that another season like this would be very tough to emulate next time. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have the willpower to repeat it.

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I told those guys, this may have been our only shot. Do I think so? No. Do I believe that? No. However, I know how hard it is to get here. It's going to be twice as hard to get to this point next year as it was this year.
Campbell said after the game

However, there are a few areas they need to rectify in the offseason. First and foremost, they must stop crucial passes, which cost them dearly. While the Lions were leading 24-10 in the third quarter on a 4th and 2 from the San Francisco 49ers 28-yard line, Josh Reynolds dropped a pass from quarterback Jared Goff.

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Another one was midway through the last quarter. On this occasion, it was Amon Ra St. Brown who dropped a pass near the 49ers 30-yard line. If St. Brown had managed to hold on, it could have stopped the momentum for the Niners, who came back to make the score 27-24.

I just felt really good about us converting, getting our momentum, and not letting them play long ball. It's hard because we didn't come through.
Campbell added

Campbell is aware it will be tough next season for the Lions

The new season always brings new challenges. Although the Lions perhaps won’t chop and change during the offseason, there’s no guarantee of how many players will survive for the next season.

Not only that, but it will be even tougher for Campbell and crew to maintain consistency next campaign like they did this season. Other teams will come prepared, and the 47-year-old is aware of it.

"You're not hiding from anyone!" Lions HC Dan Campbell admits telling his players this may be the last realistic opportunity to win Super Bowl before heartbreaking loss
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell (Image via Imago)

Campbell said,

I don't care how much better we get, what we add, or what we draft. It's irrelevant. It's going to be tough. Everybody in our division's going to be loaded. You're not hiding from anyone anymore. Everybody's going to want a piece.

On paper, they have an easy first few games to get the desired start. Unless the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears make some smart moves in the 2024 NFL draft, the Lions should beat them.

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