5 Takeaways from Dan Campbell's Combine Press Conference
INDIANAPOLIS — Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell touched upon a wide variety of topics during his media session at the 2024 scouting combine Tuesday.
Here were our five biggest takeaways from a session that lasted almost 20 minutes.
Unified Approach
Campbell made clear the team-building philosophy he shares with GM Brad Holmes, one that centers around the draft and development.
"Between Brad and myself, the success we've had in places that we've been has really been that way. And, that's what it comes from and if you want to be a good team, you have to draft well and then re-sign those guys," Campbell stated. "That's your core. And then, you find the right pieces of free agents to fill in. We both believe that.
"You gotta be careful if you're going to spend top dollar on a free agent that's not your own. You want to know everything about that player before you bring him in your locker room. Whereas your own guys, you pay top dollar for your own guys that are worthy from production. You know everything about them, right? So, it's just, it's something we believe in. It's something that we're gonna continue to do."
Coaching Continuity Bonus
The Lions were able to maintain both of their coordinators this offseason, despite chatter about Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn being in line for head-coaching opportunities. Johnson was lined up for an interview with the Washington Commanders before bowing out.
Campbell touched on what he sees as the massive benefits of maintaining the top of his coaching staff.
"This is a second year in a row that I didn't think I was gonna be able to have them back, between (Johnson) and AG (Aaron Glenn), and some of the other coaches and it's worked out," Campbell explained. "So, we were fortunate. We're so much further along, with what you do and you've evolved so much over a three-year period when you're all together.
"For example, Ben knows exactly what I'm thinking. We're to the point now where he knows exactly what I want, how I think, just like I know how he thinks. There's so many things that you just, you can skip over these steps that have already been done for a three-year period, you're just so much more efficient and much better. And, it happens with the players, too. You know, they know what we expect, they know and so now we're out of this. You're out of 101, we're in the 401."
Glowing praise for Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Campbell used the word “huge” to describe the re-signing of special teams ace Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
“He was one of those guys that he was a core player for us, and he's the best special teams player in the league. And, to be able to get him back again, he was somebody who was here in ‘21," Campbell said. "And then, he was a free agent, goes to Houston, and then to be able to get him back again. Last year and the production he had all that he can bring us as a core player, but also defensively. There's things he can do on defense, plays in dime, helps on third down, can rush, can cover. But, to be able to get him re-signed was huge. He's a vital part of what we do. He is part of the foundation, in my opinion."
Hendon Hooker still a mystery
Almost a year after the Lions selected Hendon Hooker in the third round of the NFL Draft, Campbell says he still doesn’t quite know what the team has in the former Tennessee quarterback.
But, Campbell is happy with what transpired last season when Hooker was able to get some work after returning from a knee injury he sustained in his final collegiate season.
“He got a ton of work by the end of the year, call it three months, somewhere there, was practice time and did a lot of scout team," Campbell stated. "Learned from Teddy Bridgewater, Jared Goff and (did) seven-on-sevens, few team reps. And, the best I can tell you, there's growth. We saw growth. And, that's encouraging. That's all you can ask at this point. I don't think we entirely know what he is yet. There's not enough evidence, but I know this was all progress. And, that's what we're looking for."
Backing Jared Goff
The very last question of Campbell’s session dealt with quarterback Jared Goff and whether he was confident that Goff can be a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
"Look, I get it because it hasn't happened yet — I mean, just people saying it. But, I don't get it, because I mean, take the NFC Championship Game. I thought he played a good game for us," Campbell said. "You know, he gave us a chance to win that, and I just feel like, man, since he's been here, I've seen it. I've seen a quarterback who's gotten better and better and better, and has grown every year and I would say who's gotten better under pressure every year and really (has) just risen to the challenge. And, he's more and more confident, he's more comfortable.
"So, I've said this before: To me, Jared Goff is a winning quarterback. You can win in this league with that guy, and you can't say that for a lot of guys. So, I'm glad that he's here. I'm glad he's ours. And, you could argue he's grown more than a lot of players we've had. People maybe don't always see that, but he really has, man, for a guy who has been in this league a little but has continued to improve. It's a credit to him."
