As Detroit processes the fallout from Saturday's disappointing end to the best season in Lions club history, significant changes could be on the horizon with both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn potentially leaving for head-coaching gigs.
During Sunday's sullen locker room cleanout, players acknowledged that change in some form or fashion is inevitable.
"I feel like it happens to teams every year," injured star defensive tackle Alim McNeill said, via The Detroit News. "Players move in and out. Coaches move in and out. You just gotta roll with the punches and keep going."
The Lions became the second team in NFL history to win 15-plus games and not win a playoff contest (joining the 2011 Green Bay Packers) after their five-turnover barrage in Saturday's loss to the Washington Commanders.
Detroit earned back-to-back NFC North titles, generating its first-ever No. 1 seed this season. With the Lions' success, other clubs in turmoil will seek solutions from Detroit's turnaround, from laughingstock to league darling.
Given their standing around the NFL, it would be a surprise if Johnson and Glenn don't receive head-coaching jobs this cycle. Then, the question becomes how much their exit further drains the Lions' pool as the two will likely seek to bring assistants with them to their future destination.
Center Frank Ragnow, while noting losing coaches would sting, cited the foundation for confidence that the Lions can withstand any attrition.
"I just believe, at the end of the day, this league's all about players," Ragnow said. "And the foundation that (general manager) Brad (Holmes) and (coach) Dan (Campbell) have set with the [cornerstone] players in this locker room, I think it's gonna be tough for us to do anything besides have success."
The Pro Bowl center said the talent already locked down for the foreseeable future creates confidence there would be zero fall-offs if both coordinators leave.
"There's always talented players all over this league, but some of the talented players in this locker room are built like nothing I've ever seen," Ragnow added. "Just the right-wired guys that are willing to do whatever it takes for their teammates and put it on the line."
Players would miss any coach who leaves but understand it's part of the process.
"In this business, you gotta do what's best for you," rookie corner Terrion Arnold said of Glenn's possible departure. "And if he has the opportunity to go out there -- a lot of things have opened up -- I wish him nothing but the best."
Added Arnold, smiling: "But I told him, 'If you take a job somewhere else and we play against you, we're gonna beat you.'"
Saturday's loss jumpstarted an offseason for questions in Detroit. The Lions have faith that Campbell will once again find the answers.
