The 2025 NFL Draft is poised to deliver another standout event, this time fromLambeau Field, the storied home of the Green Bay Packers.
However, Detroit Lions president Rod Wood offered a sceptical perspective, questioning whether the Packers can match Detroit’s widely praised performance as host in 2024.
“Trying to get the NFL to consider bringing it back [to Detroit] because I don’t think they’ll ever top it.”
The numbers make for a compelling argument. The Detroit Sports Commission revealed a record-breaking attendance of 775,000 people in 2024, and broadcasters reported the third-highest viewership figures in the last decade.
Speaking at the annual NFL draft luncheon hosted at the Detroit Economic Club, Wood also took aim at the Packers’ ability to be competitive on the field.
“There’s no way Green Bay will come close. They’ll finish second or as I said to Brad [Galli, sportscaster at WXYZ-TV], they’ll finish third like they did last year.”
Lions President Rod Wood took a second to DESTROY the Packers while talking about bringing the NFL Draft back to Detroit. 😱 pic.twitter.com/KWdyGElVPF
— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) April 22, 2025
In 2024,the Packers finished third in the NFC North with a respectable 11-6 record before losing in the NFC Wild Card round to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Lions, meanwhile, finished atop the NFC North with a 15-2 record, advancing to the NFC Divisional Playoffs before being defeated by the resurgent Washington Commanders.
Wood’s comments have led to a war of words on social media between fans of each franchise. Many Packers fans have compared their four titles in the Super Bowl era to the Lions’ none, while Detroit fans point to their superior success in recent years, having captured their second consecutive division title.
With both teams eyeing the playoffs this season, the stakes in 2025 are higher than ever. And if you ask Wood, the competition begins on Thursday, April 24, when the draft rolls into town.
Watch the NFL draft live and for free on DAZN
The 2025 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 24 at 8pm on the East Coast / 1am Friday in the UK.
This year’s NFL Draft will be available to watch for free on NFL Game Pass on DAZN (excluding the US and China).
NFL Draft schedule
- Round 1 : Thursday, April 24 (8pm ET / 1am BST)
- Rounds 2 and 3 : Friday, April 25 (6pm ET / 11pm BST)
- Rounds 4-7 : Saturday, April 26 (12pm ET / 5pm BST)
