In 2023, the Detroit Lions had their most successful season ever. They clinched their first NFC North Division title, coming tantalizingly close to securing a spot in the Super Bowl. While the team has faced challenges under Dan Campbell’s leadership, their progress is undeniable, signaling a promising future of competitiveness.
However, the Green Bay Packers didn’t seem impressed. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst took a swipe at the Lions during his media appearance at the NFL Scouting Combine, suggesting that winning division titles isn’t their ultimate goal, aiming instead for loftier achievements.
”Around here, we’ve never hung banners for division championships. It’s not about that,” Gutekunst said.
He also expressed confidence in his team’s capability to win a Super Bowl as early as the upcoming season.
Although they were the youngest team to reach the playoffs since the merger, the Packers came remarkably close to extending their postseason run. Just a field goal away from forcing overtime against the San Francisco 49ers, they could have had a solid opportunity to triumph over their divisional opponents in the NFC Championship Game.
Certainly, there’s room for improvement. They’ll need to bolster their roster with more talent, and their young players must continue to progress. Nevertheless, this Packers squad appears to be ahead of schedule, and it wouldn’t be surprising to witness another significant leap forward in 2024, especially with Jordan Love’s continued growth and the addition of a capable defensive coordinator.
