The Detroit Lions and their fans are feeling the sting of a playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. In the immediate aftermath of defeat, it’s natural for hope to feel elusive.
However, as emotions settle, there are plenty of reasons for optimism about the Lions’ future. Among those reasons is cornerback Terrion Arnold, who showed significant growth throughout the season.
After the loss, Arnold expressed his disappointment—but not in the way some might expect. He wasn’t ready for the season to end because of his passion for the game and his connection with his teammates.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a sense of shock; it’s just that the other team outplayed us that night. So, you have to get back to it. The only way to ease the pain is to get back to the drawing board. I mean, there’s always somebody dealing with something way worse than losing a football game. I love the game of football. I put my life into it. I know my teammates do, and I know we’ll be back.”
Arnold’s mindset makes it clear he’s not one to dwell on defeat. Instead, he’s already laying out his plan to prepare for next season.
Terrion Arnold Looks Forward to Resetting and Preparing for Next Season
Being an NFL rookie cornerback is no easy task. In a league dominated by passing, quarterbacks often test first-year players. Despite that, Arnold showed marked improvement.
“I learned a lot. I feel like coming into this role, it was a lot, and then I got better as the season went on. I started to find myself, and it’s one of those things where (I’m) really looking forward to next year. (I’m) looking forward to playing again. That’s all I think about. When I woke up this morning, I said, ‘I can’t believe it’s over.’ The only way to ease this type of pain and heartache is to get back to the drawing board and get to work.”
After a grueling year, Arnold plans to take some time to recharge before returning to work. As for next season, he’s already set a clear and determined goal for himself and his teammates.
“I’m not going to lie, I got to rest. Just between the combine, the NFL Draft, pro day, and then playing, I didn’t have a chance to get a break. I’ll take a couple of weeks to rest, and then I’m right back to it, man. We’ve got to get back. My message isn’t that we’ve got to get back, but (rather) we will be back.”
In the wake of a tough loss, Arnold’s mentality is exactly what the Lions and their fans need. For a player coming off his rookie season, his determination and positivity provide a strong foundation for the future.
