Lions head coach Dan Campbell has shown on numerous occasions how aggressive he can be. That goes all the way back to his introductory press conference, when he said he was ready to “break kneecaps”.
That competitive spirit goes all the way down through his roster. At least, that’s what Campbell wants. That’s the one non-negotiable he looks for in players.
“You got to be competitive,” Campbell said. “That may be a no-(expletive) statement. … (but) it’s hard to teach somebody to be competitive. You either have it or don’t.”
Dan Campbell on the one non-negotiable he looks for in players: “You got to be competitive. That maybe a no-shit statement. … (but) it’s hard to teach somebody to be competitive. You either have it or don’t.”
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett.bsky.social) January 16, 2025 at 12:35 PM
That has led to the hits the Lions have had in free agency and the draft, including their two first-round picks in 2023, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell. Not to mention the play of quarterback Jared Goff since coming to Detroit in 2021.
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The competitive Lions will now take on a very game and fierce Washington Commanders team that upended the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round, extending their win streak to six games. If Detroit’s edge gets them past the Commanders Saturday, they’ll host the NFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history against either the Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia Eagles.
