The Detroit Lions had a season for the ages. They won their first division title in three decades and won two playoff games en route to a rare NFC title game appearance. Fortunately for the Lions, even after a heartbreaking defeat in San Francisco, they seem like they’re built for the long haul. Like they’ll be back in this position as soon as next year.

Head coach Dan Campbell also appears to believe this about his team, but he knows pro football can be a brutal league. Especially to the best teams on paper.

In his postgame press conference, Campbell admitted that he told his Lions players they may have just missed their best shot at winning a Super Bowl. Campbell said he doesn’t necessarily believe that reality will come to fruition. Still, he understands that between injuries, improved competition, and general game-to-game luck, a lot changes in the NFL from year to year:

“I told those guys – this may have been our only shot… it’s gonna be twice as hard to get back to this point next year.” – Dan Campbell pic.twitter.com/MSjT1CmH02

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 29, 2024

Dan Campbell said he was honest with the locker room this might have been their only shot. He doesn’t believe that, he doesn’t think that, but it’s the reality of the NFL. Said it will be twice as difficult next year.

— Justin Rogers | Detroit News (@Justin_Rogers) January 29, 2024

The Lions feel like they will be an NFC superpower for years to come. Provided they fix a shoddy secondary, it’s hard to argue against a core of players featuring All-Pros Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and Sam LaPorta, as well as pass-rushing buzzsaw Aidan Hutchinson.

But similar sentiments have been expressed about a lot of good NFL teams. The Lions wouldn’t be the first squad to come to the doorstep of the Super Bowl and never get there again. Barring exceptional, even generational quarterback play, deep postseason runs like this are more random than one might think.

Like Campbell said, it doesn’t mean the Lions falling off a cliff is a guarantee in the future. But they have to be prepared for the possibility they take a step back. It goes to show you that when you get a puncher’s chance of capturing the Lombardi Trophy — you better be prepared to capitalize while you still can.