"Dan Campbell: Lions to Return with Greater Resilience"
Dan Campbell may potentially lose a few coaches during the current NFL hiring process, but he maintains confidence that the Lions have the groundwork to come back even stronger next season and compete for the Super Bowl.
\"We discuss that core. That core group is still present -- and we have re-signed some, some are up for contracts and that will continue. But yes, we certainly do,\" Campbell stated on Monday regarding whether the Lions' window of opportunity is still open. \"I believe the most crucial thing is knowing that we have our culture, our identity, and players who fit into that, and we have that. We have players in every key position necessary for success and those guys are built the right way, so without a doubt, our window is open.\"
Detroit secured the No. 1 spot in the NFC for the first time in franchise history. However, the Lions were defeated by the Washington Commanders, 45-31, on Saturday night at Ford Field. The sudden end to a season in which the Lions were 15-2 is a tough reality for Campbell and many of his players who experienced the pain of a season-ending loss in the NFC Championship against San Francisco last year.
\"We achieved two of those goals this year and, in a sense, exceeded what we did a year ago,\" Campbell remarked. \"But still, we did not advance any further and man, that is disappointing. But it also eats at me. It drives me. It motivates me.\"
Campbell added about the end of the season: \"We will come back stronger, we will learn from this, and it is just more fuel for the fire, that's all it is.\"
Last offseason, the Lions re-signed multiple key players with new contracts for quarterback Jared Goff, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
While there are gaps in personnel to be filled, Campbell also has a coaching staff in transition. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has three known interviews for head coaching positions and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is also a popular candidate. Campbell reminded players and coaches that there is a \"next man up\" mentality regardless of what happens with his top assistants.
With a regular season record of 27-7 over the past two years, the franchise's win-now approach will not change, according to Campbell. He is prioritizing ensuring that Goff's comfort level in the offense does not decline.
\"We will not allow that to happen,\" Campbell declared. \"Does it hurt to lose those guys? Absolutely. They are a part of what we have built here. They have been here for four years and they are one of the main reasons why we have been able to get to where we are.
\"We came out of the trenches and got to where we are now, so I will always be grateful for those guys and our team will be as well. And is it a loss? Absolutely, it would be a loss, but we will move forward. This train keeps moving and I will find the next best guys for us.\"
