Dan Campbell is one of those head coaches who will believe in his team no matter what, but after a crushing Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders at home as the number one seed, even the most optimistic people can feel deflated.
But not Campbell, who reiterated his belief that his Detroit Lions’ championship window is still open.
“Yes, I do,” Campbell said when asked that question about the championship window, via ESPN. “We talked about that core. That core group is still intact, and we’ve re-signed some, some have contracts, and that will continue. But, yes, we absolutely do.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Lions head coach Dan Campbell addresses the media after the game against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
“I think the most important thing is that you want to know that you have your culture, your identity and players that fit that, and we have that.”
A perfect example was star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who signed long-term with the Lions last offseason, texted Campbell at 4 a.m. after a 45-31 loss to the Commanders on Saturday night.
The loss was eating away at him, but it showed Campbell that he has hungry players in the building, especially leaders like St. Brown.
BEARS HAVE BEN JOHNSON AS NEXT HEAD COACH: REPORTS
“I know the right guys. They’re our guys for a reason, and that’s what will always give me hope and let me know that we will only get better.
“We’re going to come back stronger, we’re going to learn from this, and it’s just more fuel to the fire, that’s what it is.”
Campbell said all this before reports surfaced that his offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, had been tapped by an NFC North rival to become its next head coach. The Chicago Bears are bringing in Johnson to help turn things around, and he obviously knows everything about the organization after the last three seasons in his role in Detroit.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks to the media after the divisional playoff game against the Washington Commanders, Jan. 19, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Mike Mulholland)
But this shouldn’t surprise Campbell, who should also prepare for the loss of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Glenn will conduct his second interview with the New York Jets on Tuesday to potentially fill their head coaching vacancy as well.
Campbell told ESPN that he would have to have a next-man-up mentality if he were to lose his coordinators, but winning now doesn’t change it.
“We’re not going to let that happen,” Campbell said of a possible change in mentality. “Does it hurt to lose those guys? Absolutely. They’re part of what we’ve been here for. They’ve been here for four years and they’re one of the main reasons we’ve been able to get to where we’ve been.”
Simply put, the Lions weren’t supposed to be thinking ahead, having lost their innovative offensive coordinator and preparing for the offseason. With their ability to put points on the scoreboard, they seemed almost destined to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell (Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images/Archive)
While the Lions have to go back to the drawing board, their head coach still believes they have the team to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
