It was only a few years ago that people were literally laughing at the head coach of Detroit Lions, Dan Campbell. Remember the introductory press conference? The whole "biting kneecaps" thing? National media outlets had a field day. They called him a meathead. They said he was out of his depth. They expected the same old Detroit Lions—a team that finds creative ways to lose and keeps its fans in a perpetual state of "there’s always next year."
Fast forward to January 2026. Nobody is laughing anymore. But, honestly, Dan Campbell isn't smiling either.
Despite leading the team to its fourth consecutive winning season, the Lions just missed the 2025-2026 playoffs with a 9-8 record. For most franchises, four straight winning seasons would be a golden era. In Detroit, after the highs of 2023 and the massive 15-win tear in 2024, finishing 9-8 feels like a gut punch. Campbell didn't mince words about it, either. He sat in front of the microphones a few days ago and gave himself a "freaking F."
That’s just who he is. No corporate speak. No "we'll look at the tape." Just raw, unfiltered accountability.
The Reality of the 2025 Regression
It’s weird to call a winning season a failure. But context is everything in the NFL. After the Lions earned the #1 seed in the NFC back in 2024, the expectations for this past year were Super Bowl or bust.
So, what actually happened?
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Basically, the "margin of error" caught up to them. If you look at the stats, the Lions actually had the NFC’s third-highest point differential (+68). They weren't a bad team; they were a team that lost almost every close game against a winning opponent. They lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, sure, but they also dropped games to division rivals that they previously dominated.
Why the "F" Grade?
Campbell’s self-assessment stems from a few specific areas:
- The Defense Tumbled: The Lions fell from 7th to 22nd in points allowed. You can't win big in January (or even get to January) with a defense that’s giving up scores like it's 2021 again.
- Coaching Turnover: The Lions lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators to head coaching jobs after the 2024 season. Replacing that brain trust isn't easy. John Morton took over the offense, and while they moved the ball, the "red zone" efficiency wasn't the same.
- The "Play-Calling" Dilemma: Campbell took over some play-calling duties this year. Now, he’s publicly debating whether he should hand those keys back to someone else for the 2026 season.
He’s a guy who lives by the word GRIT. When the team doesn't mirror that on the field, he takes it personally. He told the press, "We underachieved. Not good enough. We didn't get in."
Building a Culture That Actually Lasts
If you’ve followed the head coach of Detroit Lions since he arrived in 2021, you know this isn't just about X’s and O’s. It’s about a feeling. Detroit is a blue-collar town, and Campbell is a blue-collar guy. He was a tight end who made a decade-long career out of blocking—the dirty work that doesn't get you on the cover of Madden.
He brought that same energy to the sideline. He does up-downs with the players in training camp. He cries when they lose big games because he knows how much work they put in.
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The Brad Holmes Partnership
You can’t talk about Campbell without mentioning General Manager Brad Holmes. These two are joined at the hip. They both signed extensions through 2027, and they’ve built this roster through "draft and develop."
Think about the core they’ve built:
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: The heart of the receiving corps.
- Penei Sewell: A literal wall on the offensive line.
- Aidan Hutchinson: The hometown hero chasing quarterbacks.
- Jahmyr Gibbs & Sam LaPorta: The young weapons that changed the offense.
The problem now? Success is expensive. The Lions are entering a "finance pinch" in 2026. All those young stars are now eligible for massive extensions. Holmes and Campbell are going to have to make some brutal decisions on veterans like Alex Anzalone or Taylor Decker, who is currently weighing retirement.
What Most People Get Wrong About Campbell
The biggest misconception is that he’s just a "rah-rah" guy. People see the fiery locker room speeches and think he’s all emotion and no strategy.
That’s a mistake.
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Campbell is actually one of the most aggressive analytical coaches in the league. He goes for it on fourth down more than almost anyone. He’s not doing it because he’s "crazy"; he’s doing it because the numbers say it gives them the best chance to win. He trusts his players to execute in high-leverage moments. Sometimes it backfires—like the 2023 NFC Championship game—but it’s the identity that got them there in the first place.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The offseason has already started for Detroit. While the rest of the NFC North is playing playoff football, Campbell is in the "deep dive" phase. He’s looking at his staff. He’s looking at himself.
"I don't believe we're that far off," he said recently. And he’s right. They finished 9-8 and were one win away from a third straight postseason appearance.
The 2026 To-Do List
- Fix the Defense: Whether it’s through the draft or free agency, they need a secondary that doesn't leak big plays.
- Identify the Play-Caller: Campbell needs to decide if his "F" grade means he needs to step back from the headset and focus on being the "CEO" coach again.
- Manage the Cap: Extending guys like Gibbs and Jack Campbell (the linebacker, no relation) while keeping the locker room together is a balancing act.
Honestly, the "sting" of 2025 might be exactly what this team needs. As Amon-Ra St. Brown put it, "It hurts. We didn't do enough. We don't deserve to be in the playoffs." That kind of honesty is a direct reflection of the man leading the team.
How to Apply the Dan Campbell Philosophy
Even if you aren't a football fan, there’s a lot to learn from how the head coach of Detroit Lions operates.
- Own Your Failures: Don't hide behind excuses. If you failed, call it what it is. A "freaking F" is the first step toward an A next year.
- Build Relationships First: Players play for Campbell because they know he gives a damn about them as humans.
- Stay Authentic: Don't try to be the "stoic genius" if you're a high-energy person. People follow leaders who are real.
The Lions have a long road back to the top of the NFC North, especially with the Bears and Packers looking strong in early 2026. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that you should never bet against Dan Campbell when his back is against the wall.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
To truly understand the trajectory of the Lions under Dan Campbell, start tracking the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine and the Franchise Tag deadline on March 3rd. These dates will reveal how the front office plans to navigate the "finance pinch" and which defensive positions they prioritize to fix the regression seen in 2025. Pay close attention to whether Campbell hires a dedicated Offensive Coordinator with play-calling authority, as this will be the clearest indicator of how he plans to address his self-given "F" grade.