The Detroit Lions entered the divisional round as the favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, but instead were bounced from the playoffs before the conference title game.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders stunned the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a strong offensive performance while the defense forced three interceptions from quarterback Jared Goff. After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell was left reeling.
"We just didn't play great, and I mentioned we didn't complement each other and that's the same thing. At the end of the day, I didn't have them ready," Campbell told reporters after the 45-31 defeat. "It's hard to look at it."
"...No. It just hurts to lose, man, and I don't care if you're the seven seed, six seed, five seed, one seed, because I've lost at all of them damn near and it stings. And it hurts ... it hurts."
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
As the Lions head into the offseason, both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn could depart the team for head coaching opportunities. Both have interviewed with a number of teams in recent years and again before Detroit's loss to Washington.
Campbell admitted he's preparing to lose both coaches this offseason.
"I would expect to lose both, but I haven’t been told anything. I’ve got a feeling. I’m prepared to lose both," he told reporters on Monday morning.
Johnson has been one of the hottest names in the head coaching market for the past few years, but decided to stick with Detroit in the hopes of winning a Super Bowl. He's received interest this offseason from several teams including the Las Vegas Raiders.
Glenn, meanwhile, is expected to be among the leaders for the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets jobs.
