Dan Campbell Still Has 'Eagerness' to Call Offensive Plays

Dan Campbell isn’t ready to commit to a play-caller for the Detroit Lions' offense heading into the 2022 season.

In a preseason full of competition, the coaching staff itself has seen one develop between Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for play-calling duties. Heading into Sunday’s regular season opener, the head coach hasn’t committed to who will be dialing up the calls for Detroit’s offense.

“I’m gonna be honest with you, I’m just not quite there yet,” Campbell said. “I still have this eagerness to want to call it myself and so, man, it’s gonna be good.”

On Monday, he was asked about whether Johnson is capable of calling the plays.

“Yeah, but I think I am, too,” Campbell responded. “So, this is gonna be good. It’s gonna be fun, he’s done a great job.”

While Johnson holds the title of coordinator, it was Campbell who called the shots for the Lions’ final nine games last year.

The uncertainty around play-calling duties stems from the 2021 season, when offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn began the season in the position. After the first half, however, Campbell took over the offense with help from Johnson, who was elevated to passing game coordinator.

In the first eight games of the 2021 season, the Lions averaged just 16.8 points per game, with Lynn serving as the play-caller. Campbell took over following the bye week, and the offense saw increased production, averaging 22.2 points in the final nine games.

Returning starting quarterback Jared Goff also saw improved numbers after the change, throwing for 11 touchdowns, as compared to just two interceptions in the season’s final nine games. In the first half, he tossed eight touchdowns and six interceptions.

Lynn departed at the end of last season, and Johnson was soon promoted. The ties between Campbell and Johnson run deep, as the two were together in Miami during Campbell’s 12-game stint as Dolphins interim head coach in 2015.

Campbell has remained close to the vest about the offense’s play-caller throughout training camp and the preseason. With the opener just days away, it appears that will remain the case.

“This is gonna be interesting to find out,” Campbell said. “I’m excited to know, too.”

There is optimism surrounding Detroit’s offense after an offseason in which it revamped its receiving corps. The organization re-signed Josh Reynolds, while adding DJ Chark in free agency and Alabama standout Jameson Williams via the NFL Draft.

Williams is currently on the reserve/non-football injury list, as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in the national championship game in January. He’s expected to make his debut around midseason.

2021 loss to Philadelphia was ‘embarrassing’

The Lions have a tough test ahead of themselves in the season opener, in the form of the Philadelphia Eagles.

These two teams faced off during the 2021 campaign, resulting in a devastating, 44-6 loss for Detroit. In that Week 8 matchup, the Eagles ran for 236 yards, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts’ 71 yards on seven carries.

“We haven’t hid from (the loss),” Campbell said. “It was embarrassing, it was an embarrassing loss. They let us have it, they rubbed our noses in it and listen, man, they came in and everything they wanted to do, they did to us."

Hurts is a mobile quarterback, which can be a problem for defenses. His ability to run, mixed with a talented arm, is something Detroit is taking note of ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

“Hurts is a very effective quarterback, he’s very dangerous,” Campbell noted.

Defensively, the Eagles have a solid secondary, led by former Lions cornerback Darius Slay. Additionally, the organization added defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson during cut week.

The Lions know what is in store, because they felt the sting of defeat the last time these two teams met. Now, Campbell knows that adjustments must be made.

“If I’m them, I’m doing the same exact thing,” Campbell said. “We’re gonna come back and attack you the same way and see if you fixed any of your problems. Now, they’ll have a few tweaks here and there, but I would fully expect them to come in and see if we fixed our problems. We understand that’s where we’ve gotta be better at.”