Lions' Kevin Zeitler Jokes Dan Campbell 'Could Probably Suit Up' If Needed
Jan 1, 2025
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Veteran guard for the Detroit Lions, Kevin Zeitler, had a simple solution for the team if they were to fall short on players—put head coach Dan Campbell in a jersey.
"He could probably suit up if we were desperate and needed him to — and just call plays from the huddle," Zeitler said, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. "Coach Campbell is all culture and attitude, and it's infectious."
Prior to his start as a coach in the NFL in 2015, Campbell was a tight end for ten years in the NFL.
Drafted out of Texas A&M in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft, Campbell spent his first four years with the New York Giants before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys and eventually finishing his playing career with the Detroit Lions.
Over his three-year tenure with the Lions, Campbell played in 19 games, collecting 330 yards on 34 receptions with four touchdowns.
Now, Campbell is on his way to leading the Lions on a potential Super Bowl run, as the team holds the second-best record (14-2) in the NFL, only behind the Kansas City Chiefs.
Let's just say if anything were to happen to star tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, Campbell may have something special in his bag to save the day.
Lions' Jared Goff Hyped by HC Campbell: 'Find Me a Quarterback That's Playing Better'
Dec 31, 2024
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell says Jared Goff has changed since losing to the San Francisco 49ers in last year's NFC Championship.
Goff threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns on Monday night to lead the Lions to a 40-34 win in a Week 17 rematch against the Niners.
"This is a different Jared Goff now. He's different. This guy has developed and matured, and he's just stepping into his prime," Campbell said, per NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "He just continues to get better and better. He's playing at an ultimate level right now.
"You find me a quarterback that's playing better than him in this league right now. I'd love to see it."
Campbell said after the game that he had considered sitting starters for Monday's game, which had no impact on playoff seeding. He ultimately fielded Goff alongside the Lions' top players in what will serve as preparation for a Week 18 battle against the Minnesota Vikings for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
While facing an early deficit to the 49ers, Goff involved Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in a 42-yard hook-and-ladder play to climb within one point of the 49ers.
He tied the game with a six-yard passing touchdown and a two-point conversion to start out the third, then put the Lions ahead with a short throw to St. Brown in the final seconds of the quarter.
Campbell wasn't the only one impressed by the performance. Goff received chants of his name from the Lions fans who made the trip to San Francisco as he headed off the field following the win.
Goff hit a low earlier this season when he threw a career-high five interceptions during a Week 9 win over the Houston Texans.
When asked after that game if he had any concern about Goff going forward, Campbell answered, "None."
"Everybody's going to think we're crazy, you're going to think I'm crazy," Campbell said in a November appearance on 97.1 The Ticket (h/t Audacy's Will Burchfield.) "I'm telling you, he didn't play a bad game. He played a pretty good game... He's going where we're telling him to go with the ball and he's putting it where we're telling him to put it."
Campbell concluded: "He's doing exactly what we're asking him to do, so I'm not worried at all."
Campbell's faith in his QB1 turned out to be well-placed. In the seven games since his turnover struggles against the Texans, Goff has completed 71.7 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns and a single interception.
Over that six-win span he has ranked first among NFL quarterbacks in passing yards, passing touchdowns and passer rating (h/t The 33rd Team.)
Given injuries to multiple key defenders including Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill, the Lions will need to lean on their offense in Week 18. Campbell will look for another strong passing performance from Goff when Detroit plays for a shot at a first-round bye next Sunday.
Campbell: Vikings-Lions for No. 1 Seed in NFL Playoff Bracket Is 'Fairytale Stuff'
Dec 31, 2024
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions celebrates after his team's touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is embracing the challenge of playing a Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings that will determine the NFC North champion and home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Speaking to reporters after the Lions' 40-34 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Campbell called the upcoming game against the Vikings "fairytale stuff" with all that's at stake for both teams.
"This is what you're in it for, man," Campbell said. "You couldn't write a better scenario. You couldn't come up with this. The fact that both teams are sitting at 14-2 and it's for the division and the No. 1 seed. It just doesn't get any better than this. This is fairytale stuff."
Despite all of their recent injury woes, particularly on defense, the Lions continue to operate like a machine. They have scored at least 34 points in four consecutive games, going 3-1 during this stretch.
Campbell has done a great job of continuing to pump up his team by acknowledging no one is going to feel sympathy for them because of the players they have lost to injuries. The combination of their still-healthy talent and coaching has allowed them to keep playing at a high level.
Even though there was nothing at stake against the 49ers, the Lions played their starters for the entire game. They racked up 439 yards on offense and picked off Brock Purdy twice in the second half to eventually seal the win.
Despite having been atop the NFC standings for virtually the entire season, the Lions have had no margin for error because Minnesota has also been playing as well as any team in the NFL.
The Vikings enter Week 18 riding a nine-game winning streak that began after losing back-to-back games. Their first loss of the season was a 31-29 defeat to the Lions in Week 7 when Jake Bates made a go-ahead 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining.
It will be interesting to see how deep into the bag of tricks both coaching staffs go to win because of what securing the No. 1 seed in the playoffs has historically meant for going to the Super Bowl.
Since the NFL expanded to the 14-team playoff format four years ago, the only non-division winner to reach the Super Bowl was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. The No. 1 seed in the NFC has advanced to the Super Bowl in each of the past two years.
The Vikings and Lions will play the final game of the 2024 regular season at Ford Field on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET.
Dan Campbell Says Playing Lions' Starters vs. 49ers Was 'Right Thing to Do'
Dec 31, 2024
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions celebrates after his team's touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Following a 40-34 road win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell defended his decision to play all of his starters despite the game being essentially meaningless in terms of the standings.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Campbell expressed his belief that taking the same approach as usual was the right thing for his team, saying:
"Yeah, it was on my mind, and I thought a lot about it. I thought about it leading up to the game, I thought about it last night. I told the staff, but I ended up settling on the right thing to do was to play these guys because we owed it to the team.
"It was just one of those positions we were in. It's hard to say who you're going to sit and it's not fair to ask guys to play that hadn't been prepared to play. So, yeah, that was tough, and I think the biggest thing is there were things we wanted to do better than we did last week and we did. We cleaned a lot of things up offensively."
Detroit improved to 14-2 on the season with the win, but it has yet to secure the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC due to the Minnesota Vikings being 14-2 as well.
In the final game of the 2024 regular season, the Lions will host the Vikings next Sunday night with the NFC North and the top playoff seed hanging in the balance.
By playing his starters, Campbell ensured that his team will enter Week 18 with plenty of momentum, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback Jared Goff was excellent in going 26-of-34 for 303 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, running back Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, wideout Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta caught one touchdown each.
The defense remains a work in progress after surrendering 30 or more points for the third time in the past four weeks, but it doesn't appear as though the banged-up unit suffered any additional injuries.
In fact, Campbell indicated that no player on the team suffered an injury of note, meaning the Lions avoided the main pitfall associated with playing their starters in Monday's game.
On top of that, the Lions conquered some demons with a road win over the 49ers, as their 2023 season ended in San Francisco with an NFC Championship Game loss to the Niners.
Lions safety Kerby Joseph was among the players who suggested that Detroit desired some measure of revenge, saying they "wanted that get-back."
Although it would have been unlikely to happen, it should be noted that the Lions took one potential scenario out of the equation by beating the 49ers.
Had Detroit lost and entered Week 18 with a 13-3 record, the Lions could have missed out on the NFC North title and a first-round playoff bye had they tied Minnesota next week.
Now, a tie would work in the Lions' favor since they hold the tiebreaker over the Vikings after beating them 31-29 earlier this season.
Since no tie has occurred in the NFL this season, there will very likely be a winner next week, and that team will have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
A bye would be especially huge for a Lions team that has dealt with numerous injuries on defense this season, as it would get them another week closer to linebacker Alex Anzalone and possibly even superstar pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson returning.
Also, while the team that loses next week's game will still have a chance to go on a deep playoff run, they will likely have to spend the entire postseason on the road.
The losing team will also enter the playoffs coming off a massive disappointment, which is something that could conceivably impact their psyche during the most important time of the season.
Dan Campbell Says He 'Won't Ever Forget' Lions' NFC Title Game Loss to 49ers
Dec 28, 2024
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Even as his Detroit Lions thrive in 2024, head coach Dan Campbell is not forgetting how last season ended.
His 13-2 Lions are set to face the 6-9 San Francisco 49ers in the penultimate game of the regular season on Monday night, and while San Francisco is not playoff-bound this season, the 49ers were the team that eliminated the Lions in the 2023 NFC Championship Game.
Before the rematch, Campbell said that he will never forget that game and explained how tough losses like that "stick with you."
"Yeah, sure. Just like my second year in the league we go to the Super Bowl and get smashed by Baltimore. I won't ever forget that either. So those stick with you," Campbell said, per Eric Woodyard of ESPN. "We just didn't do enough. You learn from every experience. Unfortunately, that's the best way to learn, is from the losses. It really is."
Campbell also said he and the team are focused on game prep and going 1-0 each week.
"You don't want to go through that feeling again and that means you have to prepare a certain way, you have to play a certain way, everything that you talk about, per that opponent, for that week, and it's as simple as that," Campbell said, per Woodyard. "This is the next opponent in front of us and just keep your cool, keep your composure, stay disciplined, do the little things that it takes to win a game, and it really is that simple."
The Lions fell 34-31 to the 49ers in the NFC championship game before San Francisco lost 25-22 to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. While the Lions didn't reach their first Super Bowl, the team made the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and won a game for the first time since 1991.
With those milestones out of the way, Detroit is now focused on reaching the Super Bowl and taking home their first title. The Lions are currently battling for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and wins over the 49ers and Minnesota Vikings would secure that position.
Lions' Campbell 'Optimistic' About David Montgomery's Injury Outlook, Playoff Return
Dec 20, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn't closing the door on a return for running back David Montgomery before the 2024 NFL season fully concludes.
Campbell told reporters the Lions are "optimistic" about Montgomery based on recent visits he had with doctors for his sprained MCL:
The initial fear was that the sixth-year veteran would be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, including the playoffs. However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday there's a growing belief he can suit up again after taking some time to rehab.
Detroit's list of injuries, particularly on defense, is leading fans to grow concerned about the team's championship pursuit. It's impossible for a general manager to build enough depth to compensate for this many absences.
Crossed off all the names that are hurt on the Lions defensive depth chart. This was the initial depth chart from week one. List does not include Cominsky, Lynn, Martin or Moseley as they were already on IR. Up to 19 players being hurt for this group. #OnePridepic.twitter.com/JN8VddCmfY
Campbell nevertheless remains defiant. He provided an epic soundbite in an interview on 97.1 The Ticket's Costa & Jansen two days after the Lions' 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Having Montgomery in the backfield at some point in the postseason would be a huge boost for the offense.
Since signing with Detroit in 2023, the 27-year-old has run for 1,790 yards and 25 touchdowns, and he and Jahmyr Gibbs have formed a potent tandem on the ground. The Lions are sixth in rushing, averaging 143.7 yards per game.
Placing Montgomery on injured reserve would rule him out through the NFC Wild Card Round since Detroit has just three games left in the regular season. Having declined to exercise that option to this point is an indicator as to the team's hope he won't need that long to recuperate.
Lions' Dan Campbell Explains Controversial Onside Kick: I Thought We'd Get That Ball
Dec 16, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions had their 11-game win streak snapped on Sunday in a 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and head coach Dan Campbell is shouldering the blame for a controversial moment.
Campbell told reporters that he regretted his call for an onside kick early in the fourth quarter that Bills returner Mack Hollins took inside the 5-yard line.
"I thought we'd get that ball," Campbell said before adding that in hindsight, "I wish I hadn't done it."
Dan Campbell addressed going for the onside kick early: "I thought we'd get that ball."
The Lions were trailing 38-28 when Campbell called the onside kick. Bills quarterback Josh Allen extended the lead with a touchdown pass to Ray Davis on the very next play.
Mack Hollins returns the onside kick inside the 5!
Detroit was able to score touchdowns on its next two possessions, but Buffalo added a field goal and managed to recover an onside kick to end the game and hand the Lions their first loss since Week 2.
The 48 points allowed marks a season-high for Detroit and just the second time the team allowed over 30 points in a game this year. Campbell said he feels that he's responsible for the loss.
"I didn't have those guys ready to go. Not like that... that's on me, man. ... We had a number of guys that have played a lot better than that... that tells me that's (on) me," Campbell told reporters after the loss, adding that the Lions "couldn't quite match" the Bills' intensity.
The loss dropped the Lions' record to 12-2, which is tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the best record in the NFC. If the Minnesota Vikings win their game against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, they will also have a 12-2 record. The Lions and Vikings will meet in Week 18, and that game could end up deciding home-field advantage in the playoffs.
For now, the Lions will try to regroup as they prepare for next Sunday's game against the Bears.
Dan Campbell Explains Lions' 4th-Down Call vs. Packers: 'Needed to End it on Offense'
Dec 6, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 05: Head Football Coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions speaks to media during the post game press conference after an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 05, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Detroit Lions won the game 34-31. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell explained his gutsy decision to go for it on fourth down late in the Lions' 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.
Campbell could have opted to kick the go-ahead field goal from inside 40 yards with 43 seconds remaining, but he instead chose to go for it on fourth-and-inches, and running back David Montgomery converted.
That allowed the Lions to run the clock down since the Packers had no timeouts remaining, and Jake Bates kicked a game-winning, 35-yard field goal as time expired.
When asked about the bold decision after the game, Campbell stressed that he didn't want to give the ball back to quarterback Jordan Love and the Green Bay offense (h/t ESPN's Eric Woodyard):
"I just felt like we needed to end it on offense. I did not want to give that ball back, and I believed we could get that, and I believed we could convert. I trusted that O-Line and I trusted David, and they came through for us.
"It's a hell of a call by [offensive coordinator] Ben [Johnson]. I knew how I wanted to play this game. The team knew it, and everything in me told me let's finish this, and we did."
Since taking over as head coach of the Lions in 2021, Campbell has cemented himself as one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL when it comes to going for it on fourth down.
Per Bryan Murphy of Sporting News, the Lions have gone for it on fourth down 145 times under Campbell, which is the most in the NFL during that timeframe. The Lions have also converted 15 of their 22 fourth-down attempts this season, ranking sixth in the league with a 68 percent conversion rate.
On Thursday, the Lions went for it on fourth down five times, and while they converted four of them, none was bigger than Montgomery's seven-yard scamper to essentially seal the win.
According to Elias Sports Bureau (h/t Woodyard), the Lions were only the second team in the past 45 seasons to go for it on fourth down inside the opponent's 25-yard line with the score tied and less than one minute remaining in the game.
While the decision could have backfired and led to a Green Bay game-winning field goal, Detroit instead put the proverbial nail in the coffin and didn't allow the Packers' offense another opportunity.
Campbell is aggressive in general, but it is fair to wonder if his decision to go for it on Thursday was partly due to the many significant injuries the Lions are dealing with on defense.
Detroit has 13 defensive players on injured reserve, including superstar pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson, plus defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike, DJ Reader and Josh Paschal didn't play Thursday.
To make matters worse, defensive lineman Alim McNeill was lost early in Thursday's game due to a concussion.
Campbell protected his defense by going for it and showed immense belief in his offensive line and running game, and it proved to be the right decision.
With the win, the Lions improved to a league-best 12-1 on the season, clinched a playoff spot and took another step toward a second consecutive NFC North title.
Jared Goff, Lions Beat Josh Jacobs, Packers as Fans Praise Dan Campbell's Risky Calls
Dec 6, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 05, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions clinched a spot in the playoffs on Thursday after a plethora of risky calls from head coach Dan Campbell led to a 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers.
The two squads traded blows in the first half, but the Lions went into the third quarter with a 10-point cushion. In the second half, Jordan Love shook off his early struggles and connected with tight end Tucker Kraft with an opening-drive touchdown. Green Bay then capitalized on an interception from Jared Goff and took a 21-17 lead.
The lead lasted momentarily before the Lions reclaimed it with a touchdown from Tim Patrick. Green Bay and Detroit traded scores early in the fourth quarter before the Packers tied it up with a field goal within the final four minutes.
The Lions faced a tough decision on fourth and inches with less than a minute to play. A field goal would give them the lead but leave Green Bay with time to mount a drive, but going for it could give Detroit the chance to run the clock out and kick the game-winning field goal as time expired.
Campbell went with the risky option, and it paid off. Even after Goff stumbled on the snap, he made the handoff to David Montgomery who secured the first down. From there, the Lions killed some clock before winning it with a field goal.
The Lions went for it on fourth down five times throughout the game, four of those attempts being successful.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) December 6, 2024
Wow, Dan Campbell rolls the dice big 👀. He has so much confidence in his squad. Those players would do anything for that man. Good luck to whoever has to play this Detroit Lions team in the postseason. It's going to be a tough out.
There’s never been anyone like him. He’s just playing by a totally different set of rules. It’s why his guys love him. It’s why the Lions went from the laughingstock of the league to the envy of the sport. God love him.
The Lions are now postseason bound for a second consecutive season, and it's hard to imagine anyone is going to stop them in the playoffs.
Dan Campbell's Message to Lions If Caleb Williams Faked Sideline Move: 'Hit His Ass'
Dec 4, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell made it clear he didn't want his defenders to pull up if Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was running toward the sideline but remained in bounds.
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said on his podcast that Campbell pointed out examples of Williams appearing to go out of bounds before turning up and gaining a few more yards. The coach told his defense to "hit his ass" in those situations with the rookie quarterback.
"He goes, 'If he does this, we're going to hit his a**. I already warned the refs, the refs know.'"
Amon-Ra St. Brown said Dan Campbell told the Lions to hit Caleb Williams if he's not clearly going out of bounds. pic.twitter.com/lI3neK7LlI
The revelation provides a little more context behind a contentious moment in the Lions' 23-20 victory over the Bears on Thanksgiving Day.
In the third quarter, Williams scrambled out of the pocket and was running toward the sideline when he got hit low by Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell. It was a clean tackle well within the field of play.
But the way Williams went down didn't look great and plenty of fans in Chicago thought pushing him out of bounds would've sufficed.
The No. 1 overall pick told reporters after the game he "didn't really appreciate the play."
"He just kind of dove straight at my knee," Williams said. "So I didn't really get that. Definitely kind of frustrated about that one, just 'cause you know, whatever. Yeah, knee's good. Nothing wrong with it. Think I just got a bruise. But the play was—the play was funky."
To the point Dan Campbell raised during his team meetings, though, Williams pulled up before got to the sideline, so he may have had designs on cutting to his left before that path closed.
Young quarterbacks, particularly those who tend to tuck the ball and run, always face adjustments in the NFL. The league has instituted plenty of rules in order to protect passers, but the players themselves have to take care of themselves too.
In the case of Williams, his apparent propensity to feign running out of bounds might need to be curtailed.
