Dan Campbell Still has a lot to prove

Personality-wise, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is the polar opposite of legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick, and Lions fans don't seem to mind one bit. While Belichick is mysterious and monotone, Campbell is fiery and direct. However, while Campbell certainly possesses the attitude and drive required to be a successful football coach, Lions GM Brad Holmes ultimately hired Campbell for one reason: to win football games. Although the Lions aren't expected to contend this year, it's clear that the roster is beginning to come together, and unlike last year, there will be a win threshold that Campbell is expected to hit if he wants to secure his position long term.

Campbell was hired in 2021 to head the Lions as they entered a new rebuild following the firing of then head coach Matt Patricia, GM Bob Quinn, and the trading of former franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford. This was Campbell's second head coaching gig, his first was in 2015 with the Miami Dolphins after taking over in week five following the firing of Dan Philbin. Going into the 2021 season, the Lions were expected to be bad, regardless of who was at the helm. They had a first year QB, lacked a go-to wide receiver, and were depleted defensively. Instead of contending for a playoff spot, Campbell's primary purposes were to establish a new culture, develop young players, and have an overall positive trend as the season progressed. He succeeded in all three. Unlike previous coach Matt Patricia, players have bought into Campbell and Holmes. The Lions also found a diamond in the rough in the form of Amon-Ra St. Brown, a 4th round receiver who blossomed into Detroit's best receiver in 2021. The Lions also saw considerable improvement during the later stages of the season, as Detroit finished the season 3-3 after an abysmal 0-10-1 start.

While all that is certainly important in the early stages of a rebuild, there comes a point when winning becomes an expectation. That time is now. After a stellar draft in April, Campbell and the Lions really have something to work with this year. Quarterback Jared Goff works with a top tier offensive line, an established back in D'Andre Swift who can run and catch, and an already solid pass catching crew that just added one of the draft's best offensive players in Jameson Williams. Although Williams is recovering from a torn ACL and likely won't be back until midseason, this offense is considerably better than last year, not only amping the pressure up for Campbell, who began calling offensive plays about midway through last year, but for Jared Goff as well, who struggled last season. He'll have to be much better if he wants a shot at being a part of this thing long term.

Lions fans hope Dan Campbell is the guy. They've been led on far too many times for him not to be. So far he's exceeded expectations, namely because of the attitude and culture he has seemed to instill into the organization. Record-wise though, Detroit needs to be better. A general expectation among the Lions community of between six and eight wins has been set, and that's both realistic and fair to Campbell.