Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions
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Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions is warning his player ahead of the team's matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
The Detroit Lions are on the cusp of what will hopefully be a huge season during the 2025-26 run for the franchise. Following two winning seasons and getting oh-so close to that big game two years in a row, the team is back, albeit without their offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. But, the team has head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, so at least they have those important pieces of the puzzle still part of the franchise.
The Lions are known for their Motor City grit and being a physical team. Actually, all of the teams from Detroit have that aura. Just look at the Detroit Pistons and the Bad Boys era, and even the Pistons today are proving to be a vey physical team. So, expect to see the Detroit Lions get physical on the field this season, but the NFL is going to be on the lookout for some particular actions.
Now, Campbell is sending a strong warning to his team about this upcoming season, because even the most talented teams can fall to their demons if they go against the rules. It’s fine to get rough out there, but within limits.
Dan Campbell Already Talked to His Team About an Important Issue
There were a lot of dicey moments during the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles game on Thursday, September 4, the worst being the spitting incident, where Eagles’ Jalen Carter got ejected from the game after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. But, even though that move may have gotten the most press, it wasn’t the only offense during the matchup.
During the game, linebacker Nolan Smith made a perfect-looking tackle and handed the Eagles a shot to get the ball back during a crucial part of the game. But, after the big play, he walked over and flexed at the Cowboys, and he was obviously pouring salt in the wound of Miles Sanders. It was taunting, so even though he didn’t do anything dangerous or, well, gross, he got a flag, and it hurt the Eagles.
The NFL is really cracking down on these plays, and Campbell knows it. He had a simple but strong message when asked about taunting penalties this season during a Friday, September 5, meeting with the media.
“We know that’s coming. We talked about that,” he told the media. “That’s been talked about, so those guys know, they get it.”
One Detroit Lions Player Known for Taunting Penalties
Of the Lions, Jameson Williams is best known for these taunting plays. He was actually fined more than $70,000 last season for taunting or obscene gestures. It’s fun to see him get passionate on the field, but he needs to keep it in check.
Someone who we don’t often see doing taunting gestures is Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who was just named the No. 15 best player in the NFL on the league’s annual tally.
“The Lions have flipped 180 degrees from the bottom of the barrel to darlings of the league and Super Bowl contenders in just the last few years, and the arrival of Goff has been a big reason why,” Coral Smith of the NFL notes in an August 25 feature.
Hopefully the Lions follow the lead of Goff and Campbell and stay away from those penalties this season. Let the celebrating come after the game. Reach out to me with your thoughts.