Detroit Lions make big jump in post-free agency power rankings
The Detroit Lions made some impressive moves during free agency. Specifically, Detroit did an incredible job of addressing its secondary. The Lions signed cornerbacks Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley, as well as safety/cornerback CJ Gardner-Johnson, to free agent deals earlier this month. Detroit's new look secondary should be a major strength in the NFC North […]
The Detroit Lions made some impressive moves during free agency.
Specifically, Detroit did an incredible job of addressing its secondary.
The Lions signed cornerbacks Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley, as well as safety/cornerback CJ Gardner-Johnson, to free agent deals earlier this month. Detroit's new look secondary should be a major strength in the NFC North in 2023.
On Monday, ESPN revealed their first post-free agency NFL power rankings.
And they have the Lions making a big jump after their offseason moves.
Detroit moved up three spots in ESPN's power rankings, going from No. 12 to No. 9.
From ESPN: After (Ben) Johnson led one of the NFL's most dynamic offenses, many believed he would be jetting out of Detroit. However, despite interviewing, and being a top candidate, for multiple head-coaching vacancies, the 36-year-old decided to stay in Detroit. The Lions' offense ranked fifth in the league in points scored with 26.6 per game and Johnson's creative playcalling, coupled with his tight-knit relationship with quarterback Jared Goff, was a big reason behind that.
The defensive additions the Lions made during free agency are obviously massive for the franchise. But the most important move of the offseason might have been keeping offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in Detroit for another season.
Johnson will almost certainly be a head coach in the not-so-distant future. But for now, he'll be back with the Lions for another season. Johnson's return will provide some important continuity for Detroit's offense. That continuity combined with the Lions' improved defense could lead to the franchise's first division title since 1993.
