While the Detroit Lions struggled to put the New Orleans Saints away in Week 1, their division rivals, the Chicago Bears, cruised to victory in their first game of the season. In the highest-scoring season opener of all-time, the Bears defeated the Panthers 59-37. To make matters even more frustrating for Lions fans, it was an ex-Lions playmaker who shone the brightest on the field.
Kalif Raymond, who signed with Chicago in the offseason to reunite with Ben Johnson, was among the best players for the Bears on Sunday. The veteran wide receiver finished with a career-high eight catches and 84 yards. He was targeted a team-high nine times and had one of the best games of his ten-year career.
Raymond's emergence in the potent Bears offense may have been expected, but he is obviously not going to be this heavily featured going forward. He will likely be behind Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, and Colston Loveland in the passing game hierarchy, but what he did in Week 1 was enough to make the Lions regret their offseason decision.
Lions could have used Kalif Raymond in Week 1 vs. Saints
The 32-year-old playmaker has been an important part of Detroit's success over the last five years. He has been one of the NFL's best return specialists during that time, making two All-Pro Second Teams. He has also been a reliable weapon in the passing game when needed.
Looking at the Lions' current receiver corps, it's clear that they could have used Raymond. Isaac TeSlaa did nothing in the first game of his second season, failing to haul in his only target. The WRs 4 and 5 on the team, Tay Martin and Tom Kennedy, didn't get a single offensive snap.
This meant that Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams were the targets in 31 of Jared Goff's 39 passing attempts. Given that Jahmyr Gibbs also had 34 touches in the game, the Lions became a predictable offense that puts way too much on its best players.
Plus, there is the return game element. Raymond has averaged 28 yards per kick return in his Lions tenure. Between Kennedy and Jacob Saylors, the Lions averaged 21 yards per kick return on Sunday. Detroit is certainly less dangerous on special teams without Raymond.
The Lions will have one of the best offenses in the NFL. They will put points on the board because their top-end talent is among the best in the league. One has to wonder, however, whether they are too top-heavy.
A player like Raymond would have given them a different look and optionality. Instead, the Lions let him sign with their biggest challenger in the NFC North. Let's hope that this decision doesn't come back to bite them later in the season.
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