The Detroit Lions are heading into the 2025 season among the favorites to win the Super Bowl, and looked every bit the part during their joint practices with the Miami Dolphins this week.
The Lions dominated on both sides of the ball, forcing a struggling Dolphins offense into several mistakes and shredding their secondary with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Though reporters in attendance called it an “embarrassing” display for the Dolphins, head coach Mike McDaniel said it was exactly what he wanted to test his team — with Lions coach Dan Campbell as the perfect foil.
Dolphins ‘Intentional’ in Scheduling Lions
Wednesday’s practice went terribly for the Dolphins, with Colton Pouncy of The Athletic saying it was as big a blowout as a joint practice can be.
“That was the most lopsided joint practice Iâve ever seen. Lions dominated both sides,” Pouncy wrote in a post on X.
McDaniel said he wanted to bring in the defending NFC North champions as a way to test his team, sharing praise for Campbell and the way he approaches his team’s preparation.
“It’s very authentic,” McDaniel said of Campbell’s approach.
McDaniel also said it was a good chance for his team to handle some adversity.
“I think it was very intentional to bring our organization to Detroit and practice against this team based on the football that they like to play,” McDaniel said, via NFL.com. “I think they don’t take practice for granted, it appears. I love (Lions coach) Dan Campbell and his approach.”
“Yeah, I’m expecting people that have intensity to come to practice and challenge the opposing team who will have intensity. I think it’s a good day’s work that I’m very, very focused on the football and how we grow in that area, how we handle adversity in a joint (practice). These are all fun things, but it’s about the football, nothing else.”
Dan Campbell Finds His Own Motivation
Though the Lions are seen as a Super Bowl contender this season, they are not without critics. Many have shared doubt that the team can rebound after the loss of their offensive and defensive coordinators, who both left to take head coaching jobs.
Campbell said he takes the criticism as motivation for the upcoming season.
“Itâs not hard for me to find things that can drive you. Thatâs how I was as a player, thatâs how I am as a coach. Iâll pull anything negative because it motivates me,” Campbell said in an interview with WXYZ-TV Detroit. “So I would be lying if I said, âNo, that doesnât get me going a little bit.â Thatâs the next challenge.”
The Lions called on two familiar faces to take over after the losses of Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson. The team promoted linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator and brought back former senior offensive assistant John Morton to lead the offense.
“If I really did this right, I should be able to just leave and these guys donât miss a beat. If you really do your job, that can happen,” Campbell said.
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