ESPN analyst Ryan Clark stans Lions hard on Monday Night Countdown
There are plenty of analysts who are believers in the Detroit Lions for the 2025 season. Other than perhaps diehard Lions fans, none may be bigger than ESPN analyst Ryan Clark.
During the Monday Night Countdown before Monday's preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders, the panel of experts each had 40 seconds to talk about a team and make their case for the upcoming season. Clark chose to talk about the Lions and made it clear he is very high on the reigning NFC North champions.
"I'm wondering why we're sleeping on them like we took a melatonin, rubbed ourselves in lavender and drank chamomile tea," Clark proclaimed. "The Detroit Lions are a team that is poised to be right back where they were last year, which is the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. We're talking about two running backs that can absolutely get it done.
"Jared Goff, who they told me this week, is everything to this team. And Dan Campbell, who I watched at practice be precise, be intense and have a sense of urgency that feels like they've underachieved two years in a row. And Kelvin Sheppard told me that taking over for Aaron Glenn on the defensive side of the ball, he is coming after people. Not to mention, he has 12 dudes who were on IR last year in the playoffs and also lost Amik Robertson in the first half playing against the Washington Commanders. They back."
Host Scott Van Pelt was so impressed with Clark's rant that he opined, "Give him another Emmy." Clark is clearly all-in on the Lions this season, getting further fueled after attending the Lions' joint practice with the Miami Dolphins.
Clark didn't even mention the position he played with the Steelers, the safety position, where the Lions have two of the best in the NFL in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Of course, you can only say so much in 40 seconds. Even with that omission, Clark loves the outlook of this Lions team that has seemingly slipped under the radar for some folks, despite winning 15 games last season. The Lions are right in the crosshairs of Clark's radar.
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