The Detroit Lions are focusing on bringing back their "gritty" identity this season. That's the reason head coach Dan Campbell and company brought in tough and physical players in this year's draft.

After the team has made its selections, Pride of Detroit writer Al Karsten shared an update on X that included NFL analyst Charles Davis' take on the Lions post-draft.

“The Detroit Lions aren’t flying it out there or announcing it to the world, but the sense I get is they want to get their edge back,” Davis said. “They want to get their total grit back that Dan Campbell ushered in."

The comment points to a simple idea. The Lions want to return to a more physical style of football. That identity has been linked to Campbell since he took over the team in 2021.

In his introductory conference at that time, Campbell explained the cultural change he was trying to bring to Detroit.

"I think I'm kind of a gritty guy...I am very aware of who I am, and I think that, man, I was raised on a cattle ranch. I'm about hard work. I'm a blue-collar kid from a blue-collar family," Campbell said in 2021.

Campbell did turn this team around. After going 3-13 in his first season with the Lions, he took the team to two postseason runs in 2023 and 2024, ranking first in the NFC North.

According to Davis, the Lions want to return to their aggressive, physical style of play and are expected to have a tough offseason and training camp as they aim to rediscover their early Dan Campbell identity.

The Lions are coming off a 9-8 season and missed the playoffs. That result has pushed focus back to how the team trains and prepares for the next year.

The draft moves also show that direction. The team did not chase flashy names. Instead, they added players who fit a more physical and stronger style of play.

Dan Campbell Pushes Offensive Line Changes

One major move Campbell and company made was drafting offensive lineman Blake Miller from Clemson.

Miller was picked 17th overall and already has experience as a long-time starter. Campbell made it clear that draft position will not guarantee anything.

"Man, he's played a lot of football. He's solid, he's steady, man. He can do it all. He plays physical in the run game. Freaking smart. Tough, edgy, got length, moves well. We just feel like this is a guy who can come in and compete and help us with the O-line," Campbell said in an interview with Fox 2 Detroit.

Miller has started 54 games in college and played most of his snaps at right tackle. He is expected to stay there at the next level and compete for a starting job.

The Lions also brought in Larry Borom on a one-year deal. He has five years of NFL experience and has started 38 games in his career.

Campbell’s approach is simple. Nothing is given. Every spot must be earned in camp.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore