Dan Campbell didn’t need long to connect the dots between Detroit and the team he’s built there.
Speaking in Germany, where the Lions were greeted by a wave of foreign reporters eager to learn more about him and his 6-2 club, the head coach talked about the city that has helped shape his vision since he arrived in 2021 with general manager Brad Holmes.
Campbell pointed to Detroit’s character as the blueprint.
”We don’t have the beach. We don’t have all this, now the summers are unbelievable," said Campbell.
"But things come a little bit harder out in that area. I always equate it to, it’s people that’ll do anything for you.
They’d give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. And they’re all about doing the hard stuff.
And when I came to Detroit to take over as head coach, man, I wanted to build a team that they could relate to.”
Now in his sixth season leading the Lions, Campbell said he was struck by how many fans made the trip from Michigan and beyond to take part in the weekend in Munich.
That connection, in his view, is the point. Campbell said he wants the Lions to reflect the same qualities he sees in the city and in the people who support the team.
"We want to be a team that they can look at and say, ‘I respect that. I respect the way they go about their business.
That there is something gritty about it.' It is hard work.
It is inspiring football. It’s not the easy way out.
And so those are really the type of fans we have, man. Just good, wholesome people that really care about each other.
They put in good days’ work. And man, they back us up and support the heck out of us.
And we love them to death.”
Campbell also made it clear he plans to enjoy at least one local tradition before heading back to Detroit.
“You don’t come to Germany without getting a German beer," said Campbell. "I know that.
So, I will definitely have a beer before I leave, that’s for sure. I don’t know which one or what, but I’m getting one.”
In Other News...
Dan Campbell Had Lions Fans Cracking Up Before Patriots Clash
Dan Campbell brought a little extra personality to the Lions' week in Munich before the matchup with the Patriots, turning a routine press conference into a reminder of why he remains one of the league's most entertaining coaches. Asked about the trip, Campbell leaned into the setting with a self-aware take on his limited German and even poked fun at his own efforts to pick up a few words along the way.
He also said he planned to try German beer during the visit, which only added to the light tone around a Lions team trying to stay loose while handling the business of an overseas game. Campbell has never been shy about mixing humor with his message, and this stop in Germany gave him another chance to do it in front of a crowd that seemed to enjoy every bit of it. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Head To Germany With Amon-Ra Uncertainty Hanging Over Offense
Amon-Ra St. Browns status has become the biggest offensive question hanging over the Lions as they head to Germany for their latest international stage. The receiver is listed as questionable because of a rib injury, though he did take part in practice on a limited basis and still sounded eager for the chance to play overseas.
Sione Vaki is in a similar spot after being listed as questionable and working in a limited role, while the Lions will be without D.J. Reed, Cade Mays and Kerby Joseph after all three were ruled out and did not travel with the team. For a roster already dealing with uncertainty, the trip adds another layer of intrigue around how Detroit will line up once the game gets underway. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Head To Munich With Key Depth Pieces Suddenly Under Pressure
The trip to Munich comes with a little extra urgency for Detroit, and not just because it is an international stage. With the Lions set to face the Patriots, a few depth pieces suddenly matter a lot more than they did a week ago, starting with cornerback Rakestraw, who is expected to be leaned on in the absence of D.J. Reed. Up front, center Scruggs is in line to start again for Cade Mays, giving the Lions another chance to see how the line holds up with a different look in the middle.
There is also some pressure on the passing game to get more out of wide receiver TeSlaa, who has yet to make much of an impact this season. Detroit needs more from that spot if it wants to keep Jared Goff's passing game moving efficiently, especially against a Patriots defense that will be looking to make the Lions earn every yard. For a team trying to stay sharp on a long road trip, these are the kinds of roles that can quietly shape the outcome. [Read more 🡒]