The Detroit Lions are on the rise after multiple successful seasons under Head Coach Dan Campbell. Campbell had an 11-year NFL career and 16 years as an NFL coach.
Campbell was known for his grit and toughness as a player, and has carried that same mentality into his time as a coach.
During his four seasons as the Lions' head coach, Campbell took a struggling Lions' franchise and turned them into a contender. After a rough first season with the Lions (3-13-1 record), Campbell has turned the Lions into annual contenders through his tough style and excellent player development.
The Lions suffered multiple injuries on both sides of the football last season, but still had a solid 15-2 campaign before being knocked out of the playoffs by the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round.
The Lions have a solid core of young players on the defensive end, including former Hawkeye star Jack Campbell. The third-year linebacker has continued to improve and is turning heads at Lions' training camp.
Jack Campbell has been turning heads in Detroit Lions camp. Reporters, coaches and players all attesting to this.
— Spencer Raxter (@Spenmorax) July 25, 2025
The leadership and toughness was already there, he was drafted to lead and control the defense. But the game slowing down for him could cause PROBLEMS for opposing… pic.twitter.com/sFECZY2TCl
After a solid rookie campaign in 2023, Campbell took a step forward last season, becoming an anchor in the middle of the Lions' defense.
Campbell tallied 118 total tackles (59 solo, 59 assisted), five tackles for loss, and five passes defended last season.
Campbell is continuing his stellar play in camp and was given the green dot to call plays for the defense.
According to Lions' senior writer and insider Tim Twentyman, when Campbell returned for offseason workouts, Dan Campbell pulled him aside and told him that the defense was his.
Campbell was honored to get the nod from his head coach, but does not want to change his outlook or who he is on the football field.
If Jack can take another step and become the unquestioned leader of the Lions' defense, the Lions are going to be even tougher this season.