Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell seems to be in a major slump for the first time in his career. After finishing second in the NFL in tackles in 2025, Campbell is currently tied for third on his own team with 19. Another below average performance against the Jets on Sunday means there is officially reason for concern.
Campbell signed a contract extension worth more than $80 million during the offseason, and he received the offer because he's one of the best run stuffers in the league. However, so far in 2026, Campbell has played in pass coverage more than usual. How can the Lions get Campbell to be the wrecking ball of years past?
Small tweaks could make a big difference for Lions' Jack Campbell
The Jets threw Campbell's way five times on Sunday, and it turned into five receptions for 72 yards. He recorded zero pressures on nine pass rushes, and he finished fifth on the team in tackles with six. It wasn't the worst outing ever, but Campbell should make more of an impact against one of the least talented offenses in the league.
When it comes to pass coverage, Campbell is the second-most targeted player (17) on the Lions defense, behind only Rock Ya-Sin (20). Out of every linebacker in the NFL whose been targeted at least ten times, Campbell has the third worst passer rating allowed (126.2), per NextGen Stats. With the Lions' secondary as decimated as it is, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has tried to mask their deficiency in different ways, but putting Campbell in coverage more is not the solution.
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At 6-foot-5, 243 pounds, Campbell runs out of gas quicker than most defensive backs. Add in the fact Campbell leads the NFL in defensive snaps (216), and he just couldn't have the energy to play at a high level against the run and the pass for 60 minutes. It seems to be a case of the Lions asking too much of Campbell.
After the Lions lost to the Bills in week two, Campbell blamed himself.
"Put it on me. I played terrible," Campbell said. "I have to be better. Especially for the offense and for these guys in this locker room."
At his current rate of 6.3 tackles per game, Campbell is headed for his worst statistical season since he was a rookie in 2023. As a team captain, the Lions can't afford for Campbell to lose confidence in himself, so the sooner he has less responsibilities in pass coverage, the better.
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