The offseason is supposed to be the time for optimism and hope. All 32 teams have the same 0-0 record, and every roster looks better than it did last year, because the team is healthy, nailed its draft, and got a bunch of under-the-radar free agent signings.
But how long fans hold onto that optimism is a product of the team’s performance throughout training camp and the preseason. And for the Detroit Lions, they massively failed their first benchmark test, dropping the preseason opener 31-3 to the New England Patriots. The score isn’t the concern.