Dan Campbell receives raving review from former Lions quarterback
Credits: IMAGO
Credits: IMAGO
While the Detroit Lions have yet to win a Super Bowl, no one can deny that Dan Campbell transformed the Detroit franchise. So much so that years later, former members of the organization still speak highly of him.
On July 14, former Detroit Lions quarterback and coach David Blough sat down with NFL insider Ari Meirov on the NFL Spotlight podcast. During the interview, he was asked what separates Dan Campbell from other coaches around the league.
“I think what may be the boring answer is the consistency. The way he approached every day in 2021, when we were 0-8, to when we were 12-5 in 2023, and we were rolling in the playoffs,” said Blough.
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
Blough, in his conversation with Ari Meirov on NFL Spotlight, said it wasn't fiery speeches or emotional celebrations that set Campbell apart from other coaches. Instead, it was something far simpler.
“He approached it all the same. You never felt in panic, you never felt veer off course, and I think that’s what’s so special about him as a leader, is he’s so true to who he is,” said Blough. “He’s one of the best men I’ve been around in this profession; he’s certainly one of the best leaders I’ve been around.”
Dan Campbell changed the way people viewed the Lions. Before his arrival, Detroit had just one playoff win between 1957 and 2023 in 1992, endured an 0-16 season in 2008, and went 13-29-1 under Matt Patricia.
Since taking over in 2021, Campbell has led the Lions to their first division title since 1993, an NFC Championship Game appearance in 2023, the franchise's first-ever No. 1 seed in 2024, and a 2-2 playoff record.
He made the Lions relevant again. However, despite that, the pressure on him is real this time.
Super Bowl Champion explains why pressure is mounting on Dan Campbell
Three-time Super Bowl winner and Fox Sports analyst Mark Schlereth said on The Stinkin Truth Podcast that the pressure is mounting on Campbell, who must prove he can successfully replace the coordinators who helped fuel Detroit's rise.
“There's no question the pressure is on Dan Campbell. I still think they're one of the most talented rosters in football," he said.
The pressure is on Campbell because of his track record of hiring offensive coordinators. Campbell hired Anthony Lynn as offensive coordinator in 2021, but the offense struggled, and he was let go.
Ben Johnson came next. While he helped build one of the NFL's best offenses, Johnson is no longer in Detroit. The pressure on Campbell comes from needing to show that Detroit's offensive success is sustainable beyond Johnson.
Do you think that Campbell can break the Super Bowl drought this season? Let us know in the comments.
Read more at Detroit Lions Community.
Written by
Suryakant Das
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar