While Dan Campbell has managed a steady ship for the Lions, did you know that there was a chance the coach would never have come to the team? Well, according to one New Orleans Saints player, one decision changed everything.

Former left tackle Terron Armstead, who played for the New Orleans Saints, recounted a time in 2019 when Dan Campbell almost got the Saints’ head coach job. The head coach back then, Sean Payton, was rumored to be leaving the Saints for the Dallas Cowboys.  

“It was a point, we was d***-near petitioning to get Sean Payton to get up out of there,” Armstead said. “Not like really going on strike or nothing, but we kept hearing rumors of Sean entertaining the Cowboys job, and we were like, ‘If Sean goes to Dallas, Dan Campbell is going to be our head coach. So, Sean, you do what’s best for you and your family. We’ve got Dan Campbell.”

Dan Campbell was Assistant Head Coach and Tight Ends Coach for the Saints at the time. And the team was clearly impressed with Campbell. Back in 2018, Payton even went as far as to say, "He's a fantastic leader. Obviously played a long time in this league. He's everything you want."

At the time, a rumor began making the rounds that Dallas was in the market to bring Payton to the team. After all, he had worked with them when Bill Parcells was at the helm for the Cowboys. And when the players heard of these rumors, they weren't happy.

However, Payton stayed, and Campbell eventually moved on to the Lions. He led the Lions to their first playoff victory in over 30 years, making them genuine playoff contenders. It's no wonder why the Saints squad wanted him to take the job if Payton left.

Speaking more about Campbell, he further added, “He was intense. He loves it. He loves the grind, he loves workers, he loves o-lineman. He loves to run the ball and be physical. He was incredible. We loved, Dan.”

Now, Campbell is spending time rebuilding the Lions in the off-season as they prepare to mount a solid 2026 campaign.

Dan Campbell Thrilled to Have Drew Petzing as the New Offensive Coordinator

In a move to bolster the offense, the Lions have hired Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. Speaking about his hiring, Dan Campbell was thrilled to acquire his services.

In the introductory video of Pezting’s hire, he said, "I think he's going to fit in, really like a glove. To be a really good coordinator, I think you have to know all of it. You have to know the run game, you have to know protections. And certainly the pass game. Drew checks every one of those boxes, man. It was about somebody being detailed. Have knowledge of it, man.”

Drew Petzing also revealed that he plans to work more closely with quarterback Jared Goff to call the plays, as the Lions have had good success with Goff at the helm.

Will Campbell be able to lead the Lions into the playoffs again next season? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Shyam Hari

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar