Joe Bachie may be on the outside looking in at the moment, but Dan Campbell sounds like a coach who already has a spot in mind for him.
The former Michigan State linebacker is fighting for one of the Lions’ final roster openings, and even if he ends up starting on the practice squad, Campbell’s comments made it sound like Bachie won’t be far from the field for long. Detroit has spent years leaning more toward Wolverines than Spartans, but Bachie could be the name that finally gives the local NFL team a more familiar Michigan State connection.
Bachie entered the league undrafted in 2020 and has since bounced through six different organizations. That kind of path usually means survival depends on doing a lot of things well without drawing much attention.
Bachie seems built for that. He has been working in with the backups during fall camp, but Campbell has praised him as a player who has been making plays and picking up the defense quickly.
According to the comments shared by Al Karsten, Campbell described Bachie as “Exactly what he was coming out,” a “Smart, crafty, all out linebacker,” and someone who can “Can play all the spots and special teams.” Campbell also said Bachie “Walked in the door and has a great grasp of this defense,” and noted, “You need him, he can go "here," you need him, he can go "here".”
That versatility matters, especially for a player trying to squeeze onto a roster in late August. Special teams work can be the difference between making it and waiting for a call, and Bachie has that part of the job covered too. Coaches notice players who handle those dirty-work snaps, even if they don’t get the headlines.
The fit in Detroit makes sense on paper and apparently in the building. Campbell has always leaned into the hard-nosed, no-frills side of football, and Bachie fits that mold.
He isn’t the biggest or flashiest linebacker in the room, but he plays with the kind of steady, disciplined approach that coaches trust. He rarely seems to be in the wrong place, and he doesn’t give away many mistakes.
That’s why the Lions may not be done with him even if Saturday’s preseason finale doesn’t end with his name on the 53-man roster. Campbell’s praise suggests Bachie has a real chance to stick around and eventually get on the field for Detroit this season.
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Michigan State is heading into its first season under Pat Fitzgerald with a defense that looks far more established than it did a year ago. As the Spartans prepare for the opener against Toledo, the staff has pieced together a unit built around returning veterans and transfers, with experience across the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary. There is more proven leadership in place now, and that alone gives this group a different feel entering the fall.
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Michigan State's Roster Overhaul Is Already Changing More Than This Season
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Up front, the offensive line remains the biggest point of emphasis after last seasons struggles, and several transfers are expected to compete for starting jobs right away. The receiver room is also set for a more active rotation, with younger players in line for snaps, while cornerback stands out as another area where Michigan State has talent with future eligibility still in the program. [Read more 🡒]