After missing the playoffs last season with a record of 9-8, expectations will be higher to contend for the Super Bowl again. However, even if they do not, Dan Campbell’s position as head coach could still remain secure.

According to NFL analyst Carlos Monarrez, even with increased pressure on head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, their positions might remain secure because of team owner Sheila Ford Hamp.

“A lot of their job security has to do with owner Sheila Hamp,” Monarrez wrote. “Hiring Holmes and Campbell has been her crowning achievement and validation that she should have been running things all along in Allen Park. So she’s not itching to fire the guys who’ve made her look so good.”

Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press acknowledged that Campbell and Holmes are entering a pivotal season, as they now have a handpicked player roster and coaching staff that align with their vision.

But he also believes the pressure won’t disappear for them because of several challenges they'll face next season. 

“Losing Arnold doesn’t help. Injuries to safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph don’t help. Not adding a real difference-maker at edge-rush … well, doesn’t help,” wrote Monarrez. “As for the offense, the two big questions concern the revamped O-line (for the second straight year) and a new coordinator (for the second straight year). To say the Lions need continuity in these areas is a massive understatement.”

He also raised concerns that letting veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone leave in free agency was a major misstep in the offseason.

The Lions are still a very good team, and while the O-line has been revamped again, it is an improvement on last year, and Petzing has proven his ability to lead a top offense.

Even with those concerns, Monarrez's overall assessment remained unchanged, and this does not immediately leave their jobs in limbo.

However, this does mean that not everyone is willing to overlook another disappointing season. One former NFL All-Pro believes there will be no excuses if Detroit falls short again.

Former NFL All-Pro to not give any excuses to Dan Campbell next season

Dan Campbell has been instrumental in transforming the Detroit Lions from an underachieving team to one of the best offenses in the league.

However, after a disappointing 2025 season, the pressure on Dan Campbell has increased tenfold, with former All-Pro Braylon Edwards saying there are no more excuses for him.

“Now you’ve got the offensive line, now you’ve bought in better coaches, now you have a system that works for you, and now you even draft it along the lines of what you should be doing,” said Edwards on Woodward Sports Network. “There aren’t a lot of excuses to be had for Dan Campbell this year.” 

While injuries played a huge role in the Lions missing the playoffs.

But their decisions on who to replace their outgoing coordinators with John Morton as offensive coordinator and Kelvin Sheppard as defensive coordinator, and players, majorly Frank Ragnow, were key factors for the Lions' disappointing season. 

Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard showed potential last season before major injuries to stars and has retained his role.

However, the Lions have now hired Drew Petzing, a better fit for their offense, as offensive coordinator after a disastrous season that saw Campbell take over playcalling duties from Morton.

There is no doubt that all eyes will be on Dan Campbell to make the Lions contenders once again. If he fails to do so, we could see one of the most successful eras in Lions history end.

What are your expectations for the Lions and Campbell next season? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker