This offseason, Brad Holmes might choose not to extend Goff’s contract.
1. Should Lions trade up for J.J. McCarthy?
Booher, Christian: Although I have a lot of respect for JJ McCarthy, I don’t think the Lions should try to acquire a quarterback. Additionally, after unwaveringly supporting Jared Goff for the last three seasons, I don’t see Brad Holmes changing his tone.
McCarthy has a successful track record, and I think his physical attributes will make him a highly sought-after pick in the draft. Although I believe the team is set at quarterback and shouldn’t move to acquire a quarterback when it has other requirements to meet, he would match the offensive style of the Lions.
Vito Chirco: I really disagree with this. McCarthy had a fantastic win-loss record and a national championship to show for his many victories at Michigan, as far as I’m aware. But with McCarthy at quarterback, the Wolverines were a run-heavy, run-first team, so he never felt pressured to make more than a few huge throws in a game.
He had a great time in college, and I’ll give him his flowers in appreciation for everything he accomplished at Michigan. That doesn’t mean, though, that I would make a trade to get him earlier in the April draft, especially given the Lions’ much more pressing needs (both offensively and defensively).
2. Could Brad Holmes end up not giving Jared Goff an extension?
Booher: Though the likelihood of that happening is very low, I do think there is a potential that Goff will not be granted an extension. With all the ingredients in place to win a Super Bowl, the Lions shouldn’t consider taking a chance on a young quarterback since he has proven himself to the city of Detroit and played at a high level.
If the parties cannot agree on compensation, it is the only way I can imagine Goff not receiving an extension. It’s difficult to determine where both parties are on the extension because Holmes plays his cards close to the vest. But I think a solution will be reached eventually between the two parties.
Chirco: If Goff and the Lions can’t agree on a long-term contract deal this offseason, I’d be stunned.
Goff has publicly expressed his admiration for Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes on multiple occasions, and the seasoned signal-caller has done the same on numerous more occasions. I believe that both parties recognize how much better off they are together than apart. And for good reason—I envision them completing a new contract before the 2024 season begins.
3. Are Packers contenders or pretenders?
Booher: It’s difficult to ignore the Packers as contenders moving forward, given what they accomplished in the second half of the season. There is an extremely skilled group of playmakers surrounding Jordan Love, who was excellent.
Green Bay will be looking to add more seasoned talent, so this summer will be crucial. I believe it will be competitive with the Lions in the NFC North by 2024 if they have another strong draft.
Chirco: In my opinion, the Packers have arrived and provide a real threat to unseat the Lions as the NFC North champions in 2024.
Jordan Love seems like a real deal to me; he might be the division’s finest quarterback in ’24. And keep in mind that Green Bay and Detroit both had a legitimate shot at eliminating the 49ers from the postseason.
Therefore, I’m definitely going to take the Packers seriously in the upcoming season if I’m the Lions.
4. What must Dan Campbell improve upon?
Booher: Following a challenging inaugural campaign, Campbell has done a fantastic job guiding the Lions from the bottom of the NFC North to the summit. As he leads Detroit to a historic 2023 season, he has shown that he can handle the highs and lows of a given season.
I felt that Campbell’s ability to make decisions and take measured risks was one area in which he made progress at the end of the year and may still do so in 2024. His fourth-down choices will be criticized indefinitely. To relieve some of the strain on his offense in those fourth-down scenarios, I’d like to see him add a kicker in the future who he feels comfortable throwing long kicks.
Chirco: I think Campbell could be a little less aggressive and more deliberate when making fourth-down calls. With his aggressive play-calling in the NFC Championship Game loss to the 49ers, he went down swinging for the Lions. You also won’t be able to persuade me that he didn’t err by going for it on a fourth down during that game’s final quarter.
This offseason, I’d like to see the Lions add a more dependable kicker, which should force Campbell to use his field-goal unit more frequently in 2024.
Please understand that I adore Campbell’s faith in his offense to produce huge plays. That degree of respect from the unit’s commander was undoubtedly earned in 2023. All I’d ask is that going ahead, Campbell should bet more sensibly and realistically, particularly when a playoff game is on the line.
5. What is your evaluation of David Montgomery’s first season in Detroit?
Booher: In my opinion, David Montgomery gave the Lions just what they needed during his rookie campaign. Montgomery produced the kind of explosive runs that Detroit was hoping to see. He was also Jahmyr Gibbs’ ideal partner since he could handle the hard carries and assist the team run out the clock in close victories.
Despite missing three games, he managed to surpass 1,000 yards and recorded a career-high 13 touchdowns. Expectations for the gifted running back should be high going into his next campaign.
Chirco: It seems like you couldn’t have asked for a better situation. He combined for over 1,000 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns on the ground in 2023, forming a potent running back tandem with Jahmyr Gibbs. In addition, he was a major factor in the Lions’ 12 regular season victories, division title, and first-ever trip to the NFC Championship Game in thirty-two years.
If there is one thing to be upset about Montgomery’s ’23 season, it is that he was not able to participate in all 14 games of the season. Other than that, I don’t believe there is anything wrong with Montgomery’s first campaign in the Motor City.
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