Lions fans think this is the year

State of play: That hype could evaporate quickly should quarterback Jared Goff — who once took the Rams to a Super Bowl — and Campbell fail to creep past the three wins they recorded last season.

• Despite not winning a playoff game in three decades, those around the team are optimistic about their chances under current leadership.

What they're saying: The Free Press' Carlos Monarrez, who has covered the team since 2006 — the same year Campbell joined the team as a tight end back in his playing days — tells Axios fans should remain patient as the rebuild enters year two.

• "Ownership believes they can win with (Campbell) and Holmes, and do it the right way," Monarrez says. "What's holding Campbell back is he's never been a coordinator, he's never called plays. What he came with was a really good reputation as an assistant head coach with the New Orleans Saints for five years."
• "The culture change is real," says Raven. "I think (Campbell's) the guy that gets them back to the playoffs and gets them competitive."

What we're watching: Both writers tagged wideout D.J. Chark as an under-the-radar player to keep an eye on.

• The former Pro Bowler signed a $10 million, one-year contract coming off an injury-shortened season in Jacksonville.
• Motivated to show he's a big-money player, Chark could lead the team in receiving yards, Raven says.

Quick takes: Monarrez predicts the Lions will win six games this year and Raven forecasts an 8-9 season.

The bottom line: The franchise is historically bad, but the fans will keep coming back no matter what.

• "Lions fans are among the best fans I've ever seen anywhere in American sports because they haven't given their fans any real reason to keep rooting for this team — it's just part of who they are," Monarrez says.