The Detroit Lions have had a busy offseason, and with the OTA slate in the rear-view mirror, the focus firmly shifts to training camp and the beginning of the 2026 season.
Before that happens, it's only fair to look backward a bit and put a bow on the offseason. Detroit renovated their offensive line significantly, added to their pass rush and signed stable veterans to occupy the secondary. The changes they made were subtile, and shipping out David Montgomery was arguably the biggest move.
Detroit's offseason earned a solid 'B' grade from ESPN analyst Seth Walder. Interestingly, Walder didn't mind the move to trade Montgomery for a haul of picks, and the only move he slightly questioned was the Lions re-signing Jack Campbell on a massive deal.
"Perhaps Detroit's best move of the offseason was dealing Montgomery for a fourth-round pick, seventh-round pick and OL Juice Scruggs. Any time a team can get that type of draft capital for a 29-year-old backup running back, it has to jump at the chance. The Lions were right to do so even though Isiah Pacheco, who they signed in free agency, will likely be a downgrade."
"The Lions also locked up Campbell to a four-year, $81 million extension, securing the linebacker for years to come. That strikes me as a little rich for Campbell, but not wildly out of line."
Walder might not like the financials, but even he understands where the Lions are coming from overall. Campbell had a breakout season in 2025, finishing with a whopping 176 total tackles and five sacks. That led him to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors. There was never any world where the Lions weren't going to keep Campbell around at whatever price the market dictated.
Kelvin Sheppard believes in the development of his Lions' linebackers
If there's one person who would know whether the move to keep Campbell on a huge contract is legitimate, it's Sheppard. The defensive coordinator did a solid job in year one, and is a former linebacker in the league himself. That gives him a unique perspective on his own defenders.
Campbell flourished under his leadership, and the reasoning could have everything to do with the kind of coaches the Lions have. Linebacker coach Shaun Dion Hamilton has earned the trust of Sheppard quickly thanks to his abilities as a teacher.
"It starts with Shaun Dion Hamilton, a linebacker coach that I feel is one of the best in the league when it comes to developing. When people ask me 'what do you look for in a coach?' It's a teacher and more importantly, it's a guy that can develop and pull the most out of his guys. Hamilton does that each and every day. He pours into these players and they feel it."
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Hamilton and Sheppard have brought along Campbell quickly, and will continue to let him grow in the scheme. Whatever the financials are, the Lions felt good about this decision thanks to that fact. The coaches now have others to work with at the position, including Jimmy Rolder, whom they drafted this year. The Lions now have the ability to trust Campbell as the face of their defense.
Detroit had a very good offseason overall, and that's even more the case if the only move analysts can seem to nitpick is re-signing a home-grown linebacker who has excelled within the scheme.
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