Detroit Lions

Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who encouraged the use of blue ski masks as a key part of Detroit‘s visual identity, is believed to have suffered a torn pectoral muscle during the Seattle loss — and the injury, if confirmed, will rule out Detroit’s new signing for the rest of the 2023 season.

Gardner-Johnson’s huge impact in a short time

Gardner-Johnson joined the Lions as a free agent after a stellar 2022 season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The safety helped the Eagles make Super Bowl LVII. Gardner-Johnson recorded six interceptions in only 12 regular-season games, along with eight passes defended and a career-high 67 combined tackles.

Detroit signed Gardner-Johnson to a one-year contract in March, and the team initially feared the 25-year-old suffered a serious leg injury during training camp in July. Fortunately, he avoided ligament damage and started the season on time — he made 13 combined tackles in two weeks and helped Detroit record a Week 1 upset over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Will Lions recover?

Detroit‘s defense is expected to struggle without the playmaking Gardner-Johnson at its heart. A key divisional matchup awaits in Week 4 when the Lions visit Lambeau Field, and Packers quarterback Jordan Love could lay down a marker against a weakened pass defense.

On Sunday, with Gardner-Johnson slowed by the suspected pec injury, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith completed 32 of his 41 pass attempts for 328 yards and two touchdowns — including the winner to Tyler Lockett in overtime.

Gardner-Johnson’s absence could open the door for rookie Brian Branch to receive extended reps. Branch, a cornerback by trade, provided one of the season’s early highlights with a 54-yard pick-six against Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.

But that’s the case. Goff this weekend can set a new mark for pass attempts without an interception as the Lions host the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field. Goff needs to avoid throwing a pick over his next 44 pass attempts to break a record held by Aaron Rodgers — but the former #1 overall pick claims not to know the significance of the streak he’s on.

Goff is all about the team

Coincidentally, the last time Goff threw an interception was against Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers — in Week 9 of the 2022 season, before Detroit went on a hot streak to end the year.

Across the final nine games of the 2022 season, the Lions‘ offense turned the ball over just three times, so it’s no coincidence Detroit went 7-2 over that span. The white-hot Lions have carried that form into 2023, as Goff spearheaded an upset win over the Chiefs in Kansas City last Thursday.

But the former California Golden Bear is keeping his eye on the prize — namely, the next game, and avoiding killer turnovers.

Once upon a time, Goff was among the most turnover-prone quarterbacks in the league — his 38 giveaways between 2019 and 2020 were the second-most in the NFL. But under Dan Campbell in Detroit, Goff has returned to Pro Bowl form — and is showing he’s more responsible than ever.

Lions seeking a 2-0 start

Detroit has not won its first two games in a season since 2017, and enthusiasm in the Motor City is running high in light of the Lions‘ performances since the middle of last season.

The Lions are 5.5-point favorites for Sunday afternoon’s contest with Seattle. While Geno Smith and the Seahawks are hoping to bounce back from their season-opening 30-13 home loss to the Rams, Ford Field will be electric as fans are eager to finally back a winning football team.

“We’ve probably got the most ruthless fans in the game…from talking crap, they feed off of us, they yell the loudest,” safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson said. “You gonna see on Sunday, blue ski masks everywhere.”

Jared Goff, the Lions’ quarterback, stood tall as he went on to 2-0 against Mahomes in his career. With a solid performance that saw him record 22-of-35 for 253 yards and a touchdown, Goff is making history. He now finds himself just a breath away from surpassing football giants Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers for the most consecutive pass attempts without an interception. Currently, his streak stands at 359, challenging Rodgers‘ record of 402 and Brady’s of 399.

However, this wave of success wasn’t always the forecast for Goff. A year earlier, following his trade from the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams, Goff seemed unlikely to pose any threat to records held by the likes of Rodgers or Brady. His initial journey with the Lions saw him post a 3-10-1 record in 2021. But the narrative began to shift in November. Despite early-season struggles, Goff and the Lions started finding their rhythm, culminating in a near playoff berth after a commendable 8-2 season finish.

This season, things are looking even brighter. The victory over the Chiefs wasn’t solely a Goff show; it was a well-rounded team effort. The Lions managed an average gain of 5.3 yards per play, surpassing the formidable Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes. The offensive line showcased their tenacity by allowing just one sack, executing 70 plays throughout the game. Dan Campbell’s strategic play calls, combined with the synergy between Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, kept the Lions in sync.

Post-victory, an elated Goff expressed his sentiments to NBC Sports, emphasizing the team’s focus and aspirations. “It means that we are 1-0. We come to every game expecting a win. We’re excited to head back home as 1-0,” he stated.

The scene post-match saw Goff rushing towards a group of Lions fans present at Arrowhead Stadium, sharing an impromptu celebration. Notably, Goff now boasts a 2-0 record against the celebrated Patrick Mahomes. The big question now: Will he continue this streak?

As the preseason betting odds hint at a playoff return for the Lions, the 2023 season could set new horizons for the team. With Goff at the helm and continuing his interception-free form, the sky’s the limit for Detroit’s aspirations.

Precisely it’s a moment that’s fresh in Lions quarterback, Jared Goff’s, memory as he took the opportunity to make a joke at Aaron Rodgers expense when asked about the soon to be Hall of Famer’s trade to the New York Jets.

“I wish him the best in New York, and I’m sure he’ll do a great job there. But, I kind of wish he was still here just so we could beat him twice a year,” the quarterback joked at the Lions draft party on Thursday.

The Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers twice this season

Aaron Rodgers spent a couple of decades as the Green Bay Packers quarterback and during his time as a starter he was a force to be reckoned with in the NFC North, specially for the Detroit Lions who didn’t have many wins against the now Jets quarterback.

Last season it was a season that Lions fans will remember despite not making the playoffs as the Packers and them arrived to Week 18 with an 8-8 record and having the winning season on the line, as well as the Packers having the opportunity to still make it to the playoffs.

But the Lions won the game in Lambeau Field, which will always be remembered as Aaron Rodgers’ last game with the Packers.

But less than five months later, Williams is in New Orleans and Swift is in Philadelphia — leaving Gibbs and David Montgomery as head coach Dan Campbell‘s new tandem behind quarterback Jared Goff.

Gibbs’ arrival has inspired Campbell‘s offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has teased to reporters that Detroit has some surprises in store with the rookie running back.

Detroit’s new weapon

Gibbs has reportedly been a standout performer throughout training camp and preseason for Detroit, which is looking to end years of futility this season and claim its first division title since 1993. The Lions have brought back many of the top performers from a top-five scoring offense in 2022, and Johnson spurned potential head coaching opportunities elsewhere to continue coaching at Ford Field.

Johnson left unclear how exactly he sees Gibbs fitting into Detroit‘s potent offense, but what is clear is that there is a plan for the 21-year-old to flummox opponents with his acceleration, athleticism, and pass-catching ability. The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will be the first to find out, as they open the season against the Lions on Thursday night.

Can Lions build a winner?

Seeing as Detroit parted with the sixth overall pick and a third-round selection to land Gibbs in April, expectations will be fairly high for the former Georgia Tech running back — even in his rookie season.

Gibbs and Atlanta‘s Bijan Robinson were the highest-drafted running backs this year, top-15 picks in an era where NFL teams do not value the position as they once did. The Lions‘ retooling of its offense on the fly might be just the fix needed to take the team over the top in the NFC North.

According to general manager Brad Holmes, the Lions are progressing in contract extension talks with the former #1 pick Goff, who could be sticking around in Detroit for the long term.

What Holmes told local radio

Holmes on Tuesday told WXYT-FM radio that the team and its starting quarterback have kicked off talks to extend a deal that ends in 2024.

“We’ve had dialogue with his agent and we’re in a good place right now,” Holmes said.

The Lions acquired Goff in exchange for Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2021. After a tough first season in Detroit, Goff flourished last season, throwing 29 touchdowns against a career-low seven interceptions. He led Detroit to a surprising 8-9 win-loss record in 2022.

The Hendon Hooker factor

The Lions made an interesting selection in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft last weekend, selecting Goff’s possible backup — or replacement, if contract talks break down.

Holmes and the Lions chose Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, considered a first-round talent, with the 68th overall pick. Hooker, 25, played two outstanding seasons in Knoxville, but slipped in the draft due to a knee injury and his age.

Hooker is probable to spend the 2023 season riding the bench, with Holmes explaining that he envisions the rookie learning from Goff and Nate Sudfeld, the early favorite to be Detroit‘s backup.

The New York Jets have parted ways with one of their former top draft picks, Denzel Mims, as they gear up for the upcoming training camp. According to sources, the Jets were finalizing a trade with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday night to send the fourth-year wide receiver to the Motor City.

The deal, as reported by NFL Network, involves a pick swap in 2025. In exchange for Mims, Detroit will be sending the Jets a conditional sixth-round pick, while acquiring a seventh-rounder.

Mims, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, had a somewhat tumultuous tenure with the Jets, failing to gain the trust of head coach Robert Saleh and his staff. This situation led the Jets to inform Mims that they were considering releasing him if a suitable trade partner was not found. Consequently, Mims was excused from reporting for training camp with the rest of the team on Wednesday.

Throughout his time with the Jets, Mims participated in 30 games, managing to record 42 receptions for 676 yards. However, he was unable to find the end zone for a touchdown during his tenure with the team.

The disconnect between Mims and the Jets had been evident for quite some time, dating back two years. As the players reported for the start of the training camp, the inevitable divorce between Mims and the Jets finally came to fruition. The first practice under the new circumstances is scheduled for Thursday.

Denzel Mims’ rollercoaster journey with the Jets

Mims initially caught the Jets’ attention with his impressive speed, standing at 6-foot-3 and running a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. However, hamstring injuries marred his rookie season, and he struggled to fully impress under former head coach Adam Gase.

The coaching staff transitioned after the 2020 season, with Robert Saleh taking the reins along with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Unfortunately for Mims, things did not improve. A bout of food poisoning during the spring sent him down the depth chart, and he struggled to earn the coaches’ confidence.

While he managed to play in 11 games in 2021, Mims’ contributions were limited, amassing just eight catches for 133 yards throughout the season. The Jets’ desire to see him play on special teams further complicated matters, as Mims resisted this role, leading to his limited playing time.

The wide receiver’s frustration reached a boiling point last August when he requested a trade, a request the Jets did not fulfill. He briefly shone in a preseason game against the Giants, but this glimmer of success did not translate to the regular season.

Despite a change in offensive coordinator, Mims’ fortunes did not improve during the 2022 season. He found himself relegated to a backup role, finishing the season with a mere 11 catches for 186 yards.

The situation did not improve during the offseason, as Mims left organized team activities due to dissatisfaction with his usage in practice. This decision prompted discussions between the Jets and Mims‘ representatives about parting ways, culminating in the recent trade with the Lions.

Now, Mims will have a fresh start with the Detroit Lions, while the Jets will continue their preparations for the upcoming training camp with a revamped receiving corps. Only time will tell if this move proves beneficial for both parties involved.