Peyton Manning knows the sting of a devastating playoff exit all too well. When the Detroit Lions saw their postseason dreams come crashing down in a shocking 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders, the Hall of Fame quarterback instantly recognized the heartbreak that head coach Dan Campbell and his team were feeling. After all, he had been in their shoes before.
Back in 2005, Manning’s Indianapolis Colts were a powerhouse, finishing the regular season at an impressive 15-2. They seemed destined for a deep playoff run, yet their Super Bowl hopes were crushed in the divisional round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a gut-wrenching 21-18 loss. That kind of disappointment doesn’t just fade overnight. It lingers, it stings, and for a team that worked tirelessly all season, it can feel like the ultimate betrayal.
Understanding exactly what Campbell was going through, Manning didn’t hesitate to reach out. He picked up his phone and sent a message to the Lions' head coach, offering a few words of encouragement—words that carried the weight of experience.
“I said, ‘I know how you feel, I’ve been there, and it’s not a good feeling,’” Manning shared with the Indianapolis Star during the “Night of Champions” event celebrating the 2006 Colts’ Super Bowl XLI victory. “Understand that, but we did win the whole thing the next year. You just kind of keep sawing wood.”
That’s the mentality Manning believes the Lions need to adopt. In the face of adversity, there are two paths a franchise can take. “That was the kind of loss that could probably make an organization say, ‘Let's change everything. ... Let’s kind of blow the whole thing up and start over,’” Manning reflected. “Or your organization and owner can say, ‘Hey, we’re doing something right, let’s keep going.’”
For Detroit, the choice is clear. They’ve been building something special under Campbell’s leadership, and despite the sting of defeat, there’s no reason to abandon ship now. Sure, they’ve lost two key coordinators—Ben Johnson is heading to the Chicago Bears as head coach, while Aaron Glenn takes over the reins of the New York Jets. But change is part of the game, and great teams find ways to adapt and keep moving forward.
One thing is certain: General Manager Brad Holmes will need to make some defensive upgrades if the Lions want to take the next step. In the latest NFL Mock Draft Consensus, Detroit is projected to select Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart, a move that could bolster their defensive front. If they can solidify their defense while maintaining their offensive firepower, they could be in an even better position to compete next season.
Manning knows that feeling of being right on the edge of something great. After their heartbreaking loss in 2005, the Colts didn’t tear things down; they stayed the course. And in 2006, it paid off. They made the necessary tweaks, refined their approach, and went all the way to win the Super Bowl. That year, one word became their mantra: Finish.
“We’d been knocking on the door, and we were coming close,” Manning recalled. “We were obviously doing something right. Just needed to do a little bit more.”
That same mindset could serve the Lions well. They’ve shown they can compete with the best, but now it’s about taking that final step. Whether it’s adding defensive reinforcements, finding the right coaching replacements, or simply building on the culture that Campbell has established, the key will be to keep pushing forward.
Detroit’s journey is far from over. They may not have reached the promised land this year, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get there soon. The pieces are in place. The belief is there. The lessons from this loss—painful as they may be—can serve as the fuel that propels them to something even greater.
So, while the disappointment of this playoff exit is still fresh, the message from a Hall of Famer like Peyton Manning should resonate: Keep sawing wood. Keep grinding. And most importantly—Finish.
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