Dan Campbell expecting big growth for the Lions in a normal offseason

With a normal offseason coming, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell expects to see substantial growth from his team.

The Detroit Lions will start their offseason program this week, as teams with returning head coaches are allowed to get going. A 3-13-1 record in Dan Campbell’s first season was not a great reflection of the culture change that seemed to be launched, even after a less-than-ideal offseason.

Via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required), with previously normal work now possible and a year working in systems, Campbell is eyeing significant growth in his team this offseason,

"We lost out on [the extra minicamp last year], and of course, COVID pushed everything back, so we lost a little bit of that,” “But this year, we’re already going to be ahead so certainly anytime you’ve at least kind of had your system in a little bit and now you can go back and watch your own cut-ups [it’s an advantage].Last year, you’re pulling cut-ups [from] New Orleans and some things, so now we can watch ourselves and our own schemes and kind of just continue to grow and learn and move on. Go to level 201, if not more.”"

Lions’ players appear to be buying into Dan Campbell

Some Lions players have been around the facility this offseason. With that in mind, Campbell added he expects to have perfect or near-perfect attendance throughout the voluntary portion of the offseason program.

Coaches like to push the idea that voluntary offseason work is not considered very voluntary to them. But that’s not where Campbell went here. He has certainly talked to many players, and has gotten a sense of buy-in with indications most (if not all) will be coming in for voluntary work.

Frankly, it will notable if any Lions player is not around to participate in offseason work to whatever degree they can (with injury recoveries in mind).