Dan Campbell Looking to Make Players Uncomfortable After a Disastrous 2025 Season
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine Feb 25, 2025 Indianapolis, IN, USA Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Indianapolis Scouting Combine Indiana United States, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20250225_jhp_al2_0352
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine Feb 25, 2025 Indianapolis, IN, USA Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Indianapolis Scouting Combine Indiana United States, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20250225_jhp_al2_0352
After a disappointing 9-8 season, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is planning to keep his players on their toes.
In Crunch Time Sports' February 25 post, the HC took accountability for a disappointing season. He also talked about how he plans rectify that in 2026 to elevate the team's performance through internal competition.
“Competition is good for everybody... competition is good and bringing in guys that make other guys feel uncomfortable is great for everybody, you know?" Dan Campbell said in an interview with SiriusXM.
"It was good for me as a player, it's good for any player on the roster, no matter how good you are... You need somebody to push you, and I think that's just, that's some of the things Brad [Holmes] and I talked about," added Campbell.
It's already visible in the quarterback room where Veteran Kyle Allen is now competing with Hendon Hooker for the backup role behind Jared Goff. With Campbell trusting Allen for his experience and reliability, it pushes Hooker to work the hardest to earn his spot on the team.
Adding more depth and toughness across the lineup means the current starters don't slack off either. Campbell himself believes that when players hover around each other, they are constantly pushing to do better.
Could Dan Campbell Push Gibbs to the Next Level?
Cambwell can bring competition to improve Jahmyr Gibbs' game by replacing David Montgomery with a high-profile runner to make sure Gibbs stays focused and consistent.
Uncertainty with the Seattle Seahawks means there's a possibility the Lions can acquire Kenneth Walker III.
Boasting 1,027 rushing yards, averaging more than 4.6 per carry, and 5 rushing touchdowns in 17 games, the running back could be a good fit.
While Gibbs has better stats, notching 1223 and more than twice the rushing touchdowns at 13, Kenneth Walker III could be the right player to push Gibbs to do even better.
Tell us what you think of Dan Campbell's internal competition strategy in the comments.
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Written by
Shreya Mishra
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi