Lions coach Dan Campbell met with the media on Monday, heading into the team’s season finale against Chicago. Here are the highlights from that session.
There's a huge difference next year between the 4th and 3rd place schedules. If the Vikes lose to the Packers (a 1pm game), it's imperative the Lions lose to Chicago for next year's positioning. Plus, getting a better draft pick.
Chicago should also be motivated to win -- they're playing for the 2nd seed (guarantees a home game in Round 2) at the same time that Philly is playing for it.
Knowing the Lions, they'll win 3rd place strictly for ego. Morons.
Not sure there’s much you can speak to Justin, but it seems Dan has been pretty “exhausted” or “down” these last few weeks?
I fully understand the lack of sleep, close games, etc.. Just curious if you thinks it’s the same as always or different than the past? (I watch 99% of pressers dating back to 2022 and this seems to be the most “down” he’s been. Maybe 2021 it was like this?)
I would agree he's come across as down since the Pittsburgh game. I'd comfortably chalk it up to how personally he's taken this exhausting stretch of losing, including the alternating wins and losses, and the bigger failure of missing the playoffs. He cares deeply, and he's not hiding it. He's pushed all the right buttons the past few years and couldn't find the right combination this season. I'm not sure the right combination existed once things got rolling.
Lots of change needed for the Lions to run with the big dogs next year. Coaches and players. The current group had the 2025 season to show results. Develop a plan to identify what parts need be replaced and new pieces brought in order to become a championship caliber team in 2026. Implement that plan and remember Injuries happen to all teams.
Why does he keep saying things like "we need to get a little bit better," especially in regard to the o-line, which is a disaster by the Lions standards?
Because they do need to get a little bit better? Like you said, they’ve not been great. But they’re fresh fish for the most part too. The skill may be there, it’s just a matter of putting it all together. That takes time. Longer than a year for most - Mailata is the easy person to point to for that one, but there are plenty of more relevant examples of great O-linemen who weren’t great out the gate.
Because this is how winners all over the world in all walks of life think. He’s not saying they only need to get a little bit better. He’s saying he’s hoping to see them get a little bit better. Most jumps only seem like jumps from the outside. It’s usually a product of incremental progress getting a little bit better.
Admit it Dan, da Bears are better at this point and are probably gonna whoop the lions on Sunday…
There's a huge difference next year between the 4th and 3rd place schedules. If the Vikes lose to the Packers (a 1pm game), it's imperative the Lions lose to Chicago for next year's positioning. Plus, getting a better draft pick.
Chicago should also be motivated to win -- they're playing for the 2nd seed (guarantees a home game in Round 2) at the same time that Philly is playing for it.
Knowing the Lions, they'll win 3rd place strictly for ego. Morons.
It would give me great joy to see them put another whooping on Chicago with a bunch of backups playing.
Not sure there’s much you can speak to Justin, but it seems Dan has been pretty “exhausted” or “down” these last few weeks?
I fully understand the lack of sleep, close games, etc.. Just curious if you thinks it’s the same as always or different than the past? (I watch 99% of pressers dating back to 2022 and this seems to be the most “down” he’s been. Maybe 2021 it was like this?)
I would agree he's come across as down since the Pittsburgh game. I'd comfortably chalk it up to how personally he's taken this exhausting stretch of losing, including the alternating wins and losses, and the bigger failure of missing the playoffs. He cares deeply, and he's not hiding it. He's pushed all the right buttons the past few years and couldn't find the right combination this season. I'm not sure the right combination existed once things got rolling.
Appreciate the comment and your work as always!
Also well said on finding the right combination. I feel that’s been a lot of this second half of the season.
Lots of change needed for the Lions to run with the big dogs next year. Coaches and players. The current group had the 2025 season to show results. Develop a plan to identify what parts need be replaced and new pieces brought in order to become a championship caliber team in 2026. Implement that plan and remember Injuries happen to all teams.
Sit everyone starting with #16 & 0. No need to get punished behind that horrible o-line
They have 53, can elevate two, have to have 48 active. There's practically at play here.
Why does he keep saying things like "we need to get a little bit better," especially in regard to the o-line, which is a disaster by the Lions standards?
Because they do need to get a little bit better? Like you said, they’ve not been great. But they’re fresh fish for the most part too. The skill may be there, it’s just a matter of putting it all together. That takes time. Longer than a year for most - Mailata is the easy person to point to for that one, but there are plenty of more relevant examples of great O-linemen who weren’t great out the gate.
Frank Ragnow was not great at guard his first year...
Precisely!
Because this is how winners all over the world in all walks of life think. He’s not saying they only need to get a little bit better. He’s saying he’s hoping to see them get a little bit better. Most jumps only seem like jumps from the outside. It’s usually a product of incremental progress getting a little bit better.
Disagree. Winners recognize reality and express the truth about that reality, in this caee without naming names, which would be wrong.
he can do that behind closed doors. what he says to media is different. what good would it do to throw the young players under the bus?
Nice job, JR. Still playing for the guys next to you (the readers) even though it doesn’t mean much. The pride shows up on the tape (err.. screen).