Dan Campbell earns a fair warning about Lions in latest head coach rankings

Campbell is high on Patrick Daugherty's head coach rankings, but he got a stern assessment.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:00pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a Detroit Lions football game into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in shades of blue, silver, and orange.A cubist interpretation of the Detroit Lions' 2026 season, with the team's competitive spirit and head coach Dan Campbell's fiery leadership style deconstructed into a geometric mosaic.Today in Detroit

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is ranked 8th overall on NBC Sports' Patrick Daugherty's latest head coach rankings for the 2026 season. While Daugherty praised Campbell's honest and fiery leadership style, he also warned that the Lions' 2025 season collapse could be a sign of a 'hangover effect' that the team needs to overcome.

Why it matters

Campbell's high ranking among NFL head coaches shows that he has earned respect around the league for his unique coaching approach. However, the Lions' disappointing 2025 season has raised questions about whether Campbell and the team can sustain their early success, making the 2026 season an important one for Campbell to prove he can lead the Lions back to the playoffs.

The details

Daugherty highlighted that the Lions were 'competitive until the very end of the year' in 2025, but their defense ultimately dragged the team down after key injuries. He warned that Campbell's comments about the 2024 NFC Championship Game loss - 'this may have been our only shot' - are 'looking all the more prophetic.' The Lions will need to address issues on the offensive line, pass rush, and safety positions in the offseason to bounce back in 2026.

  • The 2026 NFL season is set to begin in September 2026.

The players

Dan Campbell

The head coach of the Detroit Lions, known for his honest and fiery leadership style.

Patrick Daugherty

A writer for NBC Sports who ranked NFL head coaches ahead of the 2026 season.

Kerby Joseph

A safety for the Detroit Lions whose availability for the 2026 season is in question.

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What they’re saying

“Campbell did not lose the locker room. Nothing went off the rails. The Lions were competitive until the very end of the year, where they beat Johnson for the second time in as many tries in Week 18. But his words after the team's 2024 NFC Championship Game defeat —'this may have been our only shot'— are looking all the more prophetic.”

— Patrick Daugherty, NFL Writer

What’s next

The Detroit Lions will need to address key roster needs, such as the offensive line, pass rush, and safety positions, in the offseason to bounce back from their disappointing 2025 season and prove they can sustain their early success under head coach Dan Campbell.

The takeaway

Dan Campbell has earned respect around the NFL for his unique coaching style, but the Lions' 2025 season collapse has raised questions about whether he and the team can maintain their early success. The 2026 season will be an important one for Campbell to prove he can lead the Lions back to the playoffs and overcome the 'hangover effect' from their 2024 NFC Championship Game defeat.