Last season, the Detroit Lions entered the 2023 campaign with high hopes that they could finally break through and become one of the best teams in the league, as they had the talent on the football field and the leadership on the sideline led by head coach Dan Campbell to make it happen.
While the Lions have struggled for a long time, which has led to a lot of pessimism and doubts about a promising season, Detroit has not only lived up to expectations in 2023, but exceeded them, having the best year in franchise history.
The Lions were able to dominate the competition throughout the regular season thanks to a high-powered offense led by Pro Bowl player Jared Goff under center and talented players at his disposal like receiver Eamon-Ra St. Brown in the downfield and running backs David Montgomery and Jameer Gibbs coming out of the backfield.
Detroit fell one win short of reaching the Super Bowl as they failed to overcome a resilient San Francisco 49ers team in the second half of the NFC finale, but it provided some serious optimism heading into the 2024 NFL season.
With the Lions aiming for the Super Bowl this year, the team wants to put its best lineup on the field in Week 1, and that lineup unfortunately doesn't include veteran receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, who was cut on Monday, according to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz.
The #Lions W.R. Donovan Peeples-Jones is being released, according to sources.
Acquired in a trade last year, the DPJ finds himself in a crowded reception area but should have a chance to establish himself in his new team in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/FIp1BjCPh2
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 26, 2024
It appeared the receiving corps, which is quite talented, lacked the ball to distribute to everyone, as St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta led the Lions' passing game.
Peoples-Jones played in just eight games for the Lions last year, catching five passes for 58 yards.