Lions' Campbell talks Packers' Parsons addition, third QB preference and confidence in first-year coordinators

Allen Park — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell met with the media on Monday, the first day of preparation for the team’s season-opening matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

Here are the highlights from that session.

● Following a trade for All-Pro edge rusher Micah Persons last week, the Packers have vaulted the Lions as the favorites to win the NFC North this season.

Asked if he intended to use shifting opinion as a source of bulletin board material, it might not have been possible for Campbell to sound more disinterested in the manufactured narrative.

“Vegas has done what, again?” Campbell asked flatly. “Oh, OK. Yeah, no, listen, that’s all good. To each their own. We haven’t talked about any of that.”

Campbell also didn’t have a ton to say about Parsons, given the team wasn’t too deeply into its game-planning yet. He did quip that they’ll probably transfer the plan they had in place for defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who the Packers shipped out as part of the return package for Parsons.

“I don’t know how much (the game plan will) change necessarily yet,” Campbell said. “We’re not even into third down, so we’ll get more into that in the next couple of days, but certainly, we’ll have our eyes on that. We know what kind of player he is. He’s a really good player. We’ll have a plan.”

“…Look, you’ve got to be prepared, and they’re going to find plays that they can use him where he can excel,” Campbell said. “Like I said, we’ll have a plan.”

● After filling out the team’s 53-player roster and 16-man practice squad late last week, the Lions are sitting tight with just two quarterbacks for the time being.

General manager Brad Holmes has said he’d like to eventually add a third QB to the mix. Campbell was asked Monday if the team would prefer a veteran for that spot, or a developmental option to pair with starter Jared Goff and backup Kyle Allen.

“I would say we're looking for somebody (that) if we need them, we know they can run the show,” Campbell said. “You know, they can run the offense, they can process the information. I think (we need that) more than can we find a guy to develop, that's unknown, all those (things)? I'd rather have a guy, certainly, we're familiar with, or somebody you just know that they get in the game, they'll get you in the right play, be smart with the football and all those things.”

OK, that narrows things down.

Obviously, one of the first available names that jumps out is Nate Sudfeld, Detroit’s former backup, who was recently with the San Francisco 49ers. If familiarity is valued, he's a possible solution.

Other veteran backups who are available include Taylor Heinicke, Kyle Trask, Mike White, C.J. Beathard and John Wolford, Goff’s former backup in Los Angeles.

● Most of the outside concern suggesting the Lions could take a step back this season is tied to one of two things: First, the team’s brutal schedule, which is front-loaded with Super Bowl contenders and MVP-caliber quarterbacks.

Secondly, there’s skepticism that the ship will continue to sail smoothly after significant alterations to the coaching staff, in particular, changes at both coordinator spots.

Campbell expressed confidence in the preparedness of both Kevlin Sheppard and John Morton to meet the moment on Monday.

“Yeah, it’s high,” Campbell said. “I have a lot of confidence in both of those guys. I think they’re going to do a really good job. I think our players are going to pick up the slack and make us right when we’re not. That’s the beauty of our roster. …They put in the work, are pretty detailed, they’re smart, they work at it, and they’ll find a way to make it right. That’s always going to give you a chance.”

One additional change with the switch from Ben Johnson to Morton is that the new OC plans to call plays from the booth. Some fans have questioned that approach, but Campbell expected it and doesn’t share the outside worry.

“I’m good with that,” Campbell said. “Between myself and (quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell) Bru and (wide receivers Coach) Scottie (Montgomery), we’ll be down there. And (passing game coordinator) David Shaw. We’ll be good down there, so I have no problem with that.

“He likes it up there,” Campbell continued. “He feels like he can see everything, and that’s the environment that I know he’s liked, he’s always liked and so that won’t be a problem. Like I said, we’re on the headsets, I can still communicate up there.”

● Campbell also likes where the team’s new-look offensive line is at after six weeks of training camp.

“I think they’ve come a long way, that’s for sure,” he said. “You see a ton of growth with those five. Really, we’ve had them together now since, call it a week into training camp, when we went and made the move with Graham (Glasgow) back to center and then pushed him (Tate Ratledge) out (to guard). So they’ve been working together now for over a month.

“You do see the growth,” Campbell said. “There’s that communication that takes place that is big with those guys. So it’s good, I feel really good about it. I also know we’re not done, they’re not done, and that’s encouraging. I see that in a good way, like, there’s so much growth left to take place with not only those two, but them collectively, as a unit. So that’s pretty exciting.”