CB Jerry Jacobs sends message to Lions fans, rest of NFL

Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs is calling his shot before players report for training camp. 

"We are coming and when I say we’re 'coming,' we are trying to prove everyone wrong and we are going to show the world, the NFL, and anybody else in the way that you know we are here," Jacobs told Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit regarding a message the 25-year-old has for Lions fans that seemingly could also be for the rest of the league. 

Jacobs' confidence is nothing new to those who have followed Lions-related headlines this summer. He recently named Detroit starter Jared Goff as a "top five (quarterback) in the NFC" who will "go out and prove everybody wrong" this fall. During that same SiriusXM NFL Radio appearance, Jacobs vowed the Lions will "show what Detroit is made of" when they open the 2023 campaign at the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 7. 

One reason the NFL picked Detroit as Kansas City's opponent for that Thursday night clash is because the Lions went 8-2 after Halloween last season. While speaking with Reisman on the red carpet of the 2023 ESPY Awards earlier this week, Jacobs explained why the Lions are ready to do more than just compete for a playoff berth this time around. 

"So the first reason, the season we had last year when we went 9-8, we let one game interfere with that," Reisman said (likely in reference to Detroit's 37-23 loss at the Carolina Panthers on Christmas Eve). "So we are trying not to let that happen again. So we are just trying to finish all the way. Second reason, we got a head coach, Dan Campbell, who going to push us to be great every day and that is just going to make us better for the season. And the third reason, we’ve got players who want to contribute and be in as one to make the team and the organization better."

As of Friday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Lions as the betting favorites at +145 odds to win the NFC North title this season. Detroit was at +1000 odds to represent the conference in Super Bowl LVIII at that time.