In an emotional press conference following a crushing 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Sunday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell vowed that the team would come back stronger next season.
The Lions, the top seeded team in the NFC following a memorable regular season, were among the Super Bowl favorites this season, but it all came to a disappointing end on Sunday against the Commanders.
“I know the guys, [the loss] eats away at [them],” Campbell said, according to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “I know the right guys — they’re our guys for a reason and that’s what will always give me hope and let me know we’re only going to be better.
“We’re going to come back stronger, we’re going to learn from this, and it’s just more fuel on the fire, is what it is.”
Campbell was asked if he believed that the Lions Super Bowl window was still open.
“Yeah, I do,” Campbell responded. “We talk about that core. That core group is still intact — and we’ve signed some back, some are up on contracts and that’ll be ongoing. But, yeah, we absolutely do.
“I think the most important thing is you want to know you’ve got your culture, you’ve got your identity, and you’ve got players that fit into that, and we’ve got that. And we’ve got players in every pivotal position you can ask for to have success and those guys are made the right way, so, absolutely, our window is open.”
Campbell also stated that the team’s mentality and mindset will not change, despite the loss.
“We’re not going to allow that to happen,” Campbell said. “Does it hurt to lose those guys? Absolutely. They’re a part of what we’ve been here. They’ve been here for four years and they’re one of the major reasons why we’ve been able to get to where we’ve been.
“We came out of the dump and got to where we’re at, so I will forever be grateful for those guys and our team will. And is it a loss? Absolutely, it’d be a loss, but yet we move forward. This train rolls on and I’ll find the next best guys for us.
