While most teams were looking to go viral with their schedule release videos, the Detroit Lions kept it simple. Their schedule release depicted head coach Dan Campbell printing out the schedule and pinning it to the bulletin board.
The Lions captioned that video with "Strictly business," and Campbell has continued that theme into the first week of OTAs.
Campbell spoke to the media on Friday, the first day practice was open to the media, about his approach to the upcoming season. "I do think, man, it's getting back to a little bit of the no nonsense," Campbell said. "It's a lot easier when, you know, nobody knows who you are."
"I'm talking about us as a team and all that. Because...now you just kind of fly right under the radar. You know, but then the better you do, the more you do, the more hype, the more you're doing this, you're doing this, this player gets paid, this coach, you know, whatever. This coach moves on, and it's all this other stuff that has nothing to do with what got us to that point...we all reaped the benefits of that.
It's just a little bit, let's get back to that, man. Let's get back to the business of what it is. It's about football. First and foremost, and it's about the guy next to you. That's it. That's it."
Back to basics pic.twitter.com/havx26S8RE
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 29, 2026
Over the past few seasons, the Lions have become media darlings. That exciting upstart. It was tough for them not to be. They were a fun team to watch with plenty of star power. It's why they're still going to have numerous primetime games scheduled for next season.
But after a disappointing season that saw the team return to the bottom of the NFC North, it's clear the organization feels it lost its gritty way amid all that attention. Even new Lions tight end Tyler Conklin remarked on how the vibes around the organization reflected that disappointment from last season.
A "back to basics" approach could be just what the doctor ordered for this Lions team. They won't enter this season as favorites to come out of the NFC, and many in the media won't predict them to win the NFC North either. They'll be doubted, and Campbell knows these players have proven that they can thrive when doubted.
OTAs are a "pajama party" to Campbell
OTAs are the first true sign that football is just around the corner. It's no longer rookies getting acclimated to the league; we finally get to see them practice with veterans. The press conferences get more frequent, we get better clarity on players' injury and contract statuses, and more.
In his opening statement on Friday, Campbell dismissed OTAs as something to "read into," saying, "This time of year is about communication." Campbell continued, "It's about working on your craft, better at what you do, and then, man, learning to work with the guy next to you, whoever that is."
READ MORE: Jack Campbell had a funny apology for NFL linebackers following huge extension
Campbell avoided hyping up any specific player, such as rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder, saying that there have been some new players who have "done really well for two days in pajamas." In general, Campbell said that he was "done with the hype of the pajama party in May," earlier stressing that jobs aren't won or lost at this time of year.
Campbell's "pajama party" comments further underscore the "no nonsense" and "strictly business" tone that is firmly being set for the 2026 Lions. Success and respect aren't given; they're earned, and Campbell and the Lions have to work hard to reclaim both of those.
Add us as a preferred source on Google