Every Detroit Lions fan recalls the sinking feeling they felt when the Lions went from what appeared to be a comfortable victory to a sad, season-ending 34-31 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Conference Championship game on January 28, 2024.
Dan Campbell, head coach of the Detroit Lions, remembers that occasion well. That recollection is still haunting him.
“I knew the challenge would begin when the clock in San Francisco reached zero. In an interview with Sports Illustrated on August 13, he stated, “I already knew that.” “As disappointed as you are, you are already thinking about next year. You are in a black hole. Everything in the movie passes you by. You’ve moved so quickly into the future, and you already know it will be difficult. It’s going to be much harder. The challenge is that you believe you will improve. “You should be.”
Now, the time has come, and a new season is upon Campbell and the Detroit Lions.
Dan Campbell Discusses the Detroit Lions’ ‘Worst Enemy’
Moving forward, Campbell understands that he must confront one main adversary. It isn’t Caleb Williams or Jordan Love.
“You know you’ll be your own worst enemy,” Campbell said. “If it doesn’t work, you’re the reason why.”
He went on to say, “It starts with me and the coaches.” Since we returned from San Francisco, I’ve been emphasizing that our enemy is complacency and entitlement. The players understand this. We addressed it head on. We talked about it. It’s all about putting the effort back in. “Our work speaks for itself, not our reputation or anything else.”
Campbell has been praised over the last three years for his efforts to foster a positive culture in the Lions locker room. That is no easy assignment for a squad that has long been regarded as one of the worst in the NFL. However, Campbell has maintained a good attitude throughout his 3-13-1 debut season with the Lions. Today, of course, the Lions are in a far better situation and are considered serious Super Bowl contenders.
Jared Goff on Dan Campbell’s Positive Culture
Lions quarterback Jared Goff believes Campbell’s willingness to praise all players, not just the stars, contributes to the team’s positive atmosphere. Goff singled out Kalif Raymond in the interview, describing him as a very versatile player who is receiving well-deserved acclaim from the coaching staff, despite the fact that he is not yet a household name.
“Maybe St. Brown’s getting all the love,” Goff added in the same Sports Illustrated interview. “That does not imply that this individual is less important to our success. Dan is the best I’ve seen at making sure guys realize that.
Goff continued: “Whether he’s doing it consciously or unconsciously, he’s great at making everyone know when they’re living up to the standard, when they’re not, and then if they’re not getting the external credit they deserve, making sure internally they know we all know that they deserve that.”
The Detroit Lions’ 2024 regular season kicks off on Sunday, September 8, at 8:20 p.m. Eastern time at Detroit’s Ford Field versus the Los Angeles Rams.
