Jack Campbell has been a force for the Detroit Lions all season long, and now he’s got the hardware to show for it. The third-year linebacker earned his first career Pro Bowl nod on Tuesday, a well-deserved recognition for a breakout campaign that’s seen him emerge as the heartbeat of the Lions’ defense.
Campbell headlines a group of five Lions selected for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, set to take place in San Francisco this February. And make no mistake - he’s earned every bit of it.
With 159 tackles on the year (third-most in the league), five sacks, three forced fumbles, and two recoveries, Campbell has been everywhere for Detroit. He’s not just filling up the stat sheet - he’s setting the tone.
Head coach Dan Campbell - who’s never been shy about praising his guys when they earn it - made it clear just how vital Jack Campbell has been to this defense.
“He’s a durable, rugged, productive player,” Coach Campbell said last week. “He’s taken more reps than anybody on our team to this point - and those are not easy reps.
But he’s built for it. He’s built to handle it.”
And he’s not exaggerating. Campbell has played all but eight of Detroit’s 996 defensive snaps this season, including a full workload in a tough, physical win over the Ravens back in September - a game where he took a cleat to the face from teammate Brian Branch and still didn’t miss a beat. That injury required minor plastic surgery, but Campbell stayed in the fight, just like he has all season.
The former Iowa Hawkeye isn’t just dominating on defense, either. He’s been a staple on special teams, ranking fourth on the team with nine special teams tackles - a rare feat for a player logging every-down snaps on defense. But that’s who Jack Campbell is: a throwback competitor who doesn’t want to come off the field.
“He’s adamant about playing on special teams,” said Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp earlier this month. “The great ones don’t care what the score is or what the situation is - they just want to play.
And Jack’s definitely one of those guys. You’ve got to pull him off the field.”
At 25, Campbell is the only first-time Pro Bowler among Detroit’s five selections this year. The rest of the group is made up of familiar faces - and that’s a good thing for a franchise that’s built a young, talented core.
Right tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown each earned their fourth Pro Bowl selections, while running back Jahmyr Gibbs was picked for the third time. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is heading back for his second straight appearance.
Sewell, 25, continues to anchor one of the most physical offensive lines in football. St.
Brown, 26, is just two catches away from his fourth consecutive 100-catch season - a model of consistency and toughness in the slot. Gibbs, 23, is second in the league in total touchdowns with 17, and recently passed Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns (48) by a Lion in his first three seasons.
That’s not just good company - that’s all-time great company.
And then there’s Hutchinson, who’s racked up a team-high 11.5 sacks this year. He’s become the engine of Detroit’s pass rush, a relentless edge presence who’s only getting better with time.
While five Lions made the initial Pro Bowl roster, several others were recognized as alternates - including quarterback Jared Goff (first alternate), safety Brian Branch (first), wide receiver Jameson Williams (fourth), safety Kerby Joseph (fifth), and tight end Sam LaPorta (fifth). Unfortunately, Branch, Joseph, and LaPorta are all out for the season, but their inclusion speaks volumes about the depth and talent this roster has cultivated.
Last year, the Lions sent eight players to the Pro Bowl. This year, they’re back with five - but the names on that list tell the story of a team that’s not just having a good season, but building something sustainable.
2025 Detroit Lions Pro Bowl Selections:
- LB Jack Campbell - First selection
- DE Aidan Hutchinson - Second selection
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs - Third selection
- RT Penei Sewell - Fourth selection
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown - Fourth selection
Pro Bowl Alternates:
- QB Jared Goff (1st alternate)
- S Brian Branch (1st)
- WR Jameson Williams (4th)
- S Kerby Joseph (5th)
- TE Sam LaPorta (5th)
All signs point to this Detroit team being built for more than just individual accolades. But on a day like today, it’s worth recognizing the stars who’ve helped turn the Lions into one of the NFL’s most complete and competitive squads.