The loss of star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for the rest of the season is undeniably a massive blow for the Detroit Lions. The plan to replace him is not completely clear just yet-internally, externally, a small move, a big move, etc. It's also not really possible to replace one of the league's best pass rushers, but time will tell what happens and Tuesday marks three weeks until the trade deadline.
Dan Campbell made his typical appearance on the Lions' flagship station, 97.1 The Ticket, Tuesday morning. When asked what his message would be to Lions' fans who feel the Super Bowl dream for this season is dead or dying after losing a player as significant as Hutchinson.
The message from the Lions' head coach was clear, and completely expected.
Dan Campbell sends expected message to fans who think Lions can't win Super Bowl without Aidan Hutchinson
"Well, we can stop playing. You want to just end the season now?", Campbell said. "Let's just call it off. No, it’s not over. This is why you go through all the training you do. And this is why we stress all the time here, and the players know...We play with three phases here, you play with 11 on offense, 11 on defense and 11 on special teams. We can adjust, do whatever we need to do."
"We will find a way to play any game and every game and find a way to win."
https://t.co/VqLr1U4d6l pic.twitter.com/5wbDurOQND
— 97.1 The Ticket: (@971theticketxyt) October 15, 2024
No coach is going to say anything other than what Campbell said in the wake of a season-ending injury to one of his best players. But with Campbell, as usual, it doesn't come off like cliche-filled coach-speak in a public setting that he may not truly believe. His assertion that "we will find a way spreads easily to the players, fostering their attachment to their coach and their belief in each other.
We'll see what's done to replace Hutchinson for the balance of this season. But Campbell and the Lions will move forward no matter what, firmly fortified by the adversity of losing Hutchinson.