Three reasons Detroit Lions fans should be optimistic

The spring brings hope for almost every fan base that this is the year their team will make the Super Bowl. Detroit Lions fans haven't celebrated an NFL title since 1957 -- more than a decade before the first Super Bowl. Detroit last appeared in the NFC title game during the 1991 season, losing to eventual Super Bowl champion Washington. 

Here are three reasons the Lions fan base should be fired up for the 2023 season:

Detroit finished 2022 on a roll

The Lions have momentum from a strong 2022 finish. Detroit won eight of its final 10 games, including a convincing win against the Green Bay Packers on "Sunday Night Football" in the season finale.

Additionally, Detroit finished in the top five of total offense in 2022, and although the defense struggled early last season, it ranked in the top 10 from Week 9 through 15. 

A great offseason

General manager Brad Holmes has been recognized by multiple media outlets for his excellent personnel decisions during free agency and the draft. Pro Football Focus analysts gave the Lions an A-minus for their offseason.

"They set about free agency filling all of their biggest holes on the roster, buying the team the flexibility to draft the best player available and not have to chase needs," PFF wrote.

Holmes retooled one of the worst secondaries in the league, adding highly sought defensive backs Cam Sutton, the former Steeler, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who had a strong 2022 with the Eagles. 

In the draft, Holmes added four players considered at or near the top at their positions coming out of college. RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama), LB Jack Campbell (Iowa), TE Sam LaPorta (Iowa) and safety  DB Brian Branch (Alabama) should make early impacts. 

Starters returning from injury

Detroit has impact players returning who sat out part or all of the 2022 season due to injury. 

Veteran safety Tracy Walker III, the captain of the secondary, missed most of the 2022 season with an Achilles injury. Right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai is returning after missing the season with a back injury. 

Defensive end Charles Harris is coming off a knee injury. He played in only six games last season after leading the team in sacks with 7.5 in 2021. Defensive end Romeo Okwara will be fully healthy after missing all of 2021 and most of 2022 because of an Achilles injury. Okwara led the Lions in sacks with 10 in 2020.

In 2022, Detroit had a winning season (9-8) with one of the younger rosters in the NFL. Holmes added young talent and seasoned veterans to the mix, putting the Lions in great shape to earn their first division title since 1993.