The Detroit Lions sure talk a lot of trash for a team that converted its greatest-ever regular season into as many playoff wins as the Chicago Bears. It's not just the fans, either.
Even their president is at it.
Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, Lions team president Rod Wood couldn't help but take a shot at the Green Bay Packers while discussing the NFL Draft. He spoke about wanting to bring the event back to Detroit after hosting it last year. Yet again, a Packers rival can't stop talking about them.
"Trying to get the NFL to consider bringing it back (to Detroit) because I don't think they'll ever top it," Wood said, according to Marlowe Alter of the Detroit Free Press. "There's no way Green Bay will come close. They'll finish second or as I said to Brad (Galli), they'll finish third like they did last year."
Hang the banner.
According to Alter, Wood's comments were met with "laughs and claps from the crowd." Not here. Just second-hand embarrassment.
Mike McCarthy once said the Packers "don't hang division title banners around here." The Lions do. Like, they actually do.
Hilariously, the Lions failed when the real football started, and the Packers have the perfect opportunity to close the gap this year.
Even the Lions president can't stop talking about the Packers, but it will make their downfall even sweeter
The Packers focus on winning championships, while the rest of the NFC North focuses on the Packers. Lions-turned-Bears coach Ben Johnson took the same approach at his introductory press conference, awkwardly calling out Matt LaFleur like a scene from The Office.
Johnson's Lions departure is partly why Wood's comments are even funnier. He boldly claimed the Packers will finish third in the division again, but the Lions' Super Bowl window may already be closing.
They didn't just lose Johnson, the mastermind behind their unplayable offense, but he took wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett with him. Detroit also lost defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who held the defense together despite an unfair number of injuries throughout the season. He, too, hired several Lions assistant coaches to join his new coaching staff with the Jets.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell must overcome two significant losses to his staff while also attempting to replicate a near-perfect 15-2 that ended in utter playoff humiliation. It's rare for 15-win teams to repeat those ridiculous numbers the following season.
Green Bay will proudly put on an impressive show during draft weekend. It's the most unique NFL Draft in history. Is it a sign of what's to come in the regular season?
Much like how Detroit makes way for Green Bay to host, the Lions may have to watch the Packers reclaim the NFC North. And LaFleur's squad can enjoy the free bulletin board material straight from the Lions' president.