Go through the gallery to see The Detroit News’ final grades for the Detroit Lions’ 2021 season, compiled by Justin Rogers. Click here if you have trouble viewing the gallery.
Allen Park — If we’re being honest, the Detroit Lions’ 2021 season went about how most of us expected. Seriously, go back and check our season predictions; three of our four writers predicted the team would finish 4-13.
OK, maybe the path to the 3-13-1 record wasn’t what anyone envisioned, with the first victory eluding Detroit until Week 13. But it was understood the first year of this rebuild was certain to be a rough road, with a focus on the future through the development of young talent.
There, in many ways, this season was a success. A culture and foundation have been laid, and we’re left to wait and see how general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell build on it with the offseason assets they have at their disposal.
But before that, we have a little more time to reflect on what happened last season. So let’s go through the roster and grade the individual performances, evaluating the micro that culminated in the team’s macro.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers