Dan Campbell is a type of head coaches who will consider in his group it doesn’t matter what, however after a crushing defeat within the Divisional Spherical to the Washington Commanders at dwelling because the No. 1 seed, even probably the most optimistic folks can really feel deflated.
However not Campbell, who reiterated his perception that his Detroit Lions’ championship window stays extensive open.
“Yeah, I do,” Campbell mentioned when requested that championship-window query, by way of ESPN. “We discuss that core. That core group remains to be intact, and we’ve signed some again, some are up on contracts, and that’ll be ongoing. However, yeah, we completely do.”
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Lions head coach Dan Campbell addresses the media after the sport towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers, Dec. 5, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Picture/Duane Burleson)
“I feel crucial factor is you need to know you’ve bought your tradition, you’ve bought your identification, and also you’ve bought gamers that match into that, and we’ve bought that.”
An ideal instance was star extensive receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who signed long run with the Lions this previous offseason, texted Campbell at 4 a.m. after the 45-31 loss to the Commanders on Saturday evening.
The loss was consuming at him, however it confirmed Campbell that he has hungry gamers within the constructing, particularly leaders like St. Brown.
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“I do know the appropriate guys. They’re our guys for a motive, and that is what’s going to at all times give me hope and let me know we’re solely going to be higher.
“We’ll come again stronger, we will be taught from this, and it is simply extra gas on the hearth, is what it’s.”
Campbell mentioned all of this earlier than experiences surfaced that his offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, had been plucked by an NFC North rival to grow to be their subsequent head coach. The Chicago Bears are bringing in Johnson to assist flip issues round, and he clearly is aware of all in regards to the group after the previous three seasons in his function in Detroit.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell talks to the media after the divisional playoff sport towards the Washington Commanders, Jan. 19, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Picture/Mike Mulholland)
However this shouldn’t come as a shock to Campbell, who ought to put together for the lack of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as effectively. Glenn goes in for his second interview with the New York Jets on Tuesday to doubtlessly fill their head coach emptiness as effectively.
Campbell informed ESPN that he will need to have a next-man-up mentality if he have been to lose his coordinators, however profitable proper now doesn’t change.
“We’re not going to permit that to occur,” Campbell mentioned relating to a possible mindset change. “Does it damage to lose these guys? Completely. They’re part of what we’ve been right here. They’ve been right here for 4 years, they usually’re one of many main explanation why we’ve been in a position to get to the place we’ve been.”
Merely put, the Lions weren’t speculated to be serious about the longer term, already shedding their progressive offensive coordinator and making ready for the offseason. With their potential to throw up factors on the scoreboard, they appeared virtually destined to characterize the NFC in Tremendous Bowl LIX.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell (Matt Kartozian-Imagn Pictures/File)
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Whereas the Lions have to return to the drafting board, their head coach nonetheless believes they’ve the squad to get to the Tremendous Bowl for the primary time in franchise historical past.
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