I think the Detroit Lions might be cooked.
And while I also think that's exactly what Dan Campbell wants everyone to think about his team, it doesn't make it any less true. Injuries more-or-less ended their season (with a little bit of help from Jayden Daniels), but next year's outlook in Detroit doesn't look quite as optimistic without Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.
Johnson and Glenn, who are now the head coaches in Chicago and New York, respectively, were not-so-secretly major reasons for the Lions' turnaround, and there's always a real challenge in replacing top coordinators and continuing to fire on all cylinders.
RELATED: It sure looks like Za'Darius Smith made his own NFC North title ring
And it gets even worse when you realize who the Lions hired to replace Johnson, who's widely considered one of the brightest offensive minds in football right now. In his place next season will be John Morton, who's spent the last two seasons as a passing game coordinator for Sean Payton in Denver, but has history with Dan Campbell.
When you look at Morton's coaching history, you almost (almost) empathize with how nervous Lions fans are heading into next season. But then when you're done almost empathizing, the laughter sets in.
The Lions' Ben Johnson replacement doesn't exactly have the same reputation
Morton's only been offensive coordinator in the NFL for one season, which in and of itself isn't disqualifying, or a reason to be concerned. But the details of that one season as an offensive coordinator will give Packers fans unprecedented levels of hope that the Lions' NFC North dynasty ended before it ever really began.
Morton's only year as an offensive coordinator was back in 2017, when he was behind the offense of the 5-11 New York Jets. That year, league-wide, they ranked 25th in passing attempts, 24th in passing yards, 25th in passing touchdowns, 11th in interceptions, 17th in rushing attempts, 19th in rushing yards, and 11th in rushing touchdowns. He didn't get any help with the roster he was given, but still, that's a rough point on the resume.
The Jets fired Morton after one season.
Basically, the Packers are BACK. I'll let you figure out how, but it's undeniable at this point. [Chants] Jared Goff! Jared Goff! With a coordinator from the New York Jets! We'll workshop it.