The Detroit Lions and head coach Dan Campbell were expected to be a top-tier contender in the NFC last season.
After having an impressive 2024 campaign that saw the Lions become one of the top teams in the NFL, Detroit was expected to take the next step in 2025. That didn’t happen.
Campbell and company put together a 15-2 record just two short years ago. Last season, the Lions finished the year with a 9-8 record, a last-place finish in the NFC North division race, and also missed the playoffs.
That has not sat right with Campbell this offseason. Detroit still has the talent to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but the team needs to put it all together. With that in mind, Campbell has spoken out with a pointed message to his team about the upcoming 2026 season.
Dan Campbell Sends Pointed Message to Lions About 2026 Season
While speaking to the media at the annual meetings in Arizona this week, Campbell made it clear what he wants to see from the team this coming year.
“You want to get guys that fit what you’re about and they’ve got something to prove. That fits the rest of those guys in that locker room that we know are gonna be here long term. That’s what we’re about, and getting back to a little bit of that,” Campbell said.
“Everybody wants talent, but it’s always nice to have a little bit of saltiness to you over the talent that lacks saltiness because that’s what we were in ’22, and a little bit of ’23.”
During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Lions played with a determined grit. They embraced the underdog role. However, when things turned around and they became a favorite, it seemed that some of that grit disappeared.
Campbell wants to see the team return to that brand of football.
The Loss of Ben Johnson Clearly Hurt Detroit’s Offense
One of the staples that Detroit became known for in the few years leading up to last season was its aggressiveness and creativity offensively.
Ben Johnson, who left the Lions to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears last season, was the main part of that offensive game plan.
Since taking over as the head coach in Detroit, Campbell has been known for being ultra aggressive. He likes to go for it in fourth down situations, which paid off up until last season. The offense looked completely different and much less dangerous without Johnson in town.
Only time will tell if Campbell can get the Lions back on track. They have the talent to be a contender in 2026, but there are many questions that must be answered.
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